ISLAMABAD: The Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which probed the One Constitution Avenue scam, has also pointed out structural and governance flaws in the affairs of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and recommended the formation of an independent Master Plan Commission.
The JIT report, approved by the federal cabinet, recommended an overhaul of the CDA ordinance to incorporate provisions for transparency, e-governance and accountability. It also stated that Islamabad’s master plan should not remain under the sole control of the CDA and that an independent statutory Master Plan Commission, comprising town planners, environmentalists and civil society representatives, should be constituted.
It is relevant to note that the revision of Islamabad’s master plan has been pending for decades. The authors of the city’s blueprint had recommended that the master plan be revised every 20 years in accordance with changing requirements. However, the CDA and the federal government have never completed this task.
Instead, successive governments, including the incumbent one, have continued to make selective changes to the master plan through the federal government. So far, more than 52 such changes have been made. These selective amendments and the inordinate delay in revising the blueprint have resulted in planning issues.
Report recommends overhaul of CDA ordinance, curbs on discretionary powers and greater transparency in land-use decisions
The JIT report stated, “It [CDA] needs complete digitisation of all files, allotment records, sub-leases and NOCs. Allotments, transfers and building plans have to be processed through an online portal to eliminate manipulation at the final stage and overnight decisions.”
The report said discretionary powers at the CDA must be abolished.
“No officer should remain in lucrative wings, including Estate, Planning, Enforcement and Building Control, for more than two years,” the report stated.
It is pertinent to mention that many CDA officials have served in these wings for years, and a large number are still working in the Building Control Directorate. In most cases, officers on deputation who join the CDA try to secure postings in Estate, Commercial, Land and Building Control directorates.
Meanwhile, the JIT report recommended that commercial auctions, allotments and contracts should undergo pre-audits by third-party firms.
“The Enforcement Directorate must be made a neutral force with body cameras and standard operating procedures (SOPs). There has to be a well-organised citizen facilitation centre like Nadra. Before any change in land use, commercialisation or auction of amenity plots, public hearings and environmental impact assessments must be mandatory,” the report stated.
It also called for protection and rewards for officers and staff who report illegalities.
Interestingly, the officer who first took the initiative to seal One Constitution Avenue in 2016, then Directorate of Building Control official Shafi Marwat, has faced difficulties over the past year. Without any charge against him, he was directed last year to report to the Human Resource Department.
Sources in the CDA said that after waiting for several months the dejected officer opted to go on leave.
Last year, the CDA management suspended more than 100 officials in an effort to curb corruption in the authority. However, besides officers with tainted reputations, many officials of good repute who faced no inquiry or charges were also suspended.
Many officials, including some facing active inquiries, were later reposted, but several remain without assignments, including some with good service records.
On the basis of the JIT report, the federal government and the CDA had decided to take back control of the One Constitution Avenue building, located on a CDA plot, over alleged lease defaults and fraud. The building is intended to be converted into a five-star hotel. A meeting was also held at the CDA headquarters on Thursday to explore options for engaging a reputed hotel chain.
Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2026
