ISLAMABAD: In a major policy decision, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is set to appoint a dedicated member for sector development, while the member finance will be hired from the private sector.

Sources said stalled sectors remained a matter of concern for the CDA for the last two decades. Therefore, it has now been decided that a fully-fledged member sector development will be appointed by the federal government.

The CDA is at present undertaking initiatives for the development of sectors which remained undeveloped or partially developed.

“The development of these sectors requires dedicated supervision and focused attention at the CDA Board level. At present, sector development matters are being dealt with under the portfolio of Member Buildings whose responsibilities have substantially increased due to additional workload relating to repair and maintenance of public buildings, particularly following the abolition of Public Works Department and entrustment of maintenance of various high-profile public buildings to CDA,” an officer of the federal government told Dawn.

On direction of interior minister, civic agency has decided to pay attention to stalled sectors, says official

He said that the member sector development will provide dedicated supervision and oversight for development of sectors, including roads, water supply, sewerage, drainage, parks, allied infrastructure and civic amenities.

The officer said that the new member when appointed will also ensure coordinated planning, prioritisation of the development of schemes, removal of inter-wing bottlenecks and timely execution of sector development.

It is relevant to note that the CDA has failed to develop any sector during the last around two decades and D-12 was the last one. However, now at least three sectors – C-14, I-12 and I-15 – are almost completed.

At present from CDA’s acquired residential sectors, eight are completely stalled with no sign of development, while work is ongoing in six others, including the abovementioned three, C-16 slightly and E-12 and C-15 where work remained stuck since 2018.

Meanwhile, work in C-13 was never started. There is no sign of development work in E-13, F-13 and D-13 by CDA is yet to complete allotment of plots and built-up property compensation to the landlords.

Due to the pending compensation cases in H-16 and I-17, there is no sign of development work as CDA.

As per the city’s master plan, sectors, H-15, H-16, H-14, H-17, D-14, D-15, and D-16 were also supposed to be developed by the civic agency, but the CDA could not acquire these sectors.

“On the direction of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, CDA has decided to pay attention towards all stalled sectors. Sector E-12 was stalled since 1989 because of the land possession issue, as the sector was full of encroachment. This management got it vacated with a massive anti-encroachment operation. So, now within six months development of E-12 is hopefully completed, so we are very serious about the issue of development of sectors and creation of this new post of member sector development is a big step in this regard,” said an officer.

Likewise, the ministry of interior and CDA will hire a professional member of finance from the private sector. Initially, the appointment of this member will be for a period of one year and an extension may be made on an annual basis on the recommendation of an evaluation committee.

Sources said that the federal cabinet had a few days ago approved the creation of the member sector development and hiring of the member finance.

Meanwhile, the post of member implementation was also recently created and the federal government appointed PAS/BS 19 officer Mohammad Umair on the post.

“The federal government has created two new posts in the CDA board - member sector development and implementation – but surprisingly, no focus is being paid on filling the member planning’s post,” said an official.

He said that the post of member planning was lying vacant since April and the office was being run on the lookafter basis.

“Planning wing deals with essential functions such as new planning, approval and regulation of housing societies, planning of new sectors and implementation of the master plan, water issues and building control. Therefore, this wing deserves a regular member,” said the official.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2026