ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued notices to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other respondents in a petition filed by the Property Dealers Association challenging the recent hike in property transfer fees.

Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas heard the case and sought replies from the parties by July 18.

During the hearing, the court asked what type of fee was under dispute.

Counsel for the petitioner responded that the CDA had increased the property transfer fee, which included various charges such as the basic transfer fee of plots, a newly imposed title change fee, and other levies.

The lawyer argued that while CDA has historically collected transfer fees, it does not have the legal authority to independently revise or impose new charges without approval from the federal government.

“Amendments to such financial matters must come through the legislature, not through unilateral decisions by the CDA,” he told the court.

According to the petition, the CDA recently raised the transfer fee from 1pc to 3pc of the FBR-assessed property value. Additionally, it introduced a 0.5pc title change fee and imposed a separate 0.75pc charge on unsold properties and transactions based on General Power of Attorney (GPA).

The petitioners contended that the new fee structure was burdensome, arbitrary, and without legal justification, and requested the court to declare it null and void.

The court, after hearing preliminary arguments, issued notices and adjourned the hearing until July 18.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2025