ISLAMABAD: Allottees of the E-12 residential sector have expressed annoyance and deep frustration over issuance of final notices by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), demanding immediate payment of development charges, despite directions from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) prohibiting coercive action.
According to court order, issued May 27, the CDA has been directed not to take any coercive measure. However, the CDA in its notice has demanded Rs9,000 per square yard as development charges and warned that if the allottees failed to pay the amount adverse action can be taken against them.
The residential sector, launched in April 1989 for the general public, government employees and overseas Pakistanis, consists of 4,430 plots.
However, after more than 36 years, CDA has failed to complete essential infrastructure including roads, electricity, and sewerage. The delay in handing over possessions of plots has left thousands of families in limbo.
In May this year, CDA had imposed development charges at the steep rate of Rs9,000 per square yard, triggering widespread resentment among the allottees.
Plot owners, led by Rana Mohammad Bilal Anwar, filed a petition in the IHC through their legal counsel Malik Saqib Mehmood, arguing that CDA’s demands were unjustified in light of the decades-long delay and absence of the possession on ground.
On May 27, the IHC heard the petition and issued notices to the CDA and three other respondents, explicitly directing them not to take any coercive action against the petitioners until further orders.
However, in a surprising move, the CDA has issued final notices to allottees, warning them to pay the development charges immediately or face adverse action.
Ateeq Sheikh, President of the E-12 Allottees Welfare Association, condemned the move as a blatant contempt of court.
“It is very surprising, ridiculous, damaging and against the spirit of justice that despite the court’s clear direction, CDA action is completely unfair and contemptuous,” he said.
Ikramul Haq, an allottee of E-12/1 and one of the petitioners, confirmed receiving a final notice from CDA. “The CDA’s action is clearly coercive and goes against the court’s direction. This is not understandable at all,” he said.
Another petitioner, Imran Aamin, also reported receiving a similar notice.
“We will inform the court in the next hearing about this coercive action. It violates the court’s stay order,” he stated.
When contacted, CDA Spokesperson said that there were some persons who sought stay order from court.
“Although notices have been issued to all, CDA management has sought legal opinion that if stay order will be effective for only those who have obtained order or it will be effective for all allottees,” he said.
He said that as per initial understanding those who have not become party in petition will have to pay the development charges.
Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2025