ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel on Monday expressed concerns over what it described as the inefficiency of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which resulted in the blocking of a house transfer after the relevant file went missing.
The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges was held with Senator Waqar Mehdi in the chair.
Besides other agenda items, the committee took up the matter of the missing file of House No. 522, Street No. 99, Sector I-10/4, Islamabad.
While discussing the CDA-related issue, Committee Chairman Senator Waqar Mehdi expressed strong concern over the plight of an affected citizen trapped due to the negligence of CDA officials. He said, “Immediate relief should be given to the citizen . He is a salaried-class person — why should he suffer because of the careless attitude of CDA officials? What is his fault in all this negligence?”
He further directed that the pending court case be expedited and a follow-up report be submitted to the committee without delay.
It is relevant to note that the committee discussed one case out of dozens of similar cases, including those found to be fake at the time of third and fourth transfers.
In many cases, when third, fourth, or even fifth transferees visited the CDA for transfer of plots and houses, they were informed that the case could not proceed because the first transfer had been made on bogus claims, leaving bona fide purchasers in shock. In the past, CDA officials allotted a large number of plots to land affectees (those whose land had been acquired by the CDA and were entitled to alternate plots).
After the first allotment, such plots were sold in the market and later resold multiple times. However, the CDA later stopped further transfers, creating serious difficulties for the last bona fide purchasers.
In some cases, CDA personnel who made the first transfers allegedly misplaced the original files to hide their wrongdoing, but their actions have caused trouble for the final allottees. Meanwhile, in a large number of cases, even where files are available, the CDA, which had processed the first transfersyears ago, is now refusing further transfers. Many such cases relate to Shahzad Town and Rawal Town.
“Actually, current officers who had nothing to do with the bogus allotments are now avoiding such transfers in order to keep themselves away from controversy and corruption. They are right, but the CDA will have to make a policy to resolve the issues of bona fide purchasers,” said a source.
During the briefing to the committee, CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, referring to the missing file of House No. 522, Street No. 99, Sector I-10/4, told members, “We have scanned our records through the Punjab Land Revenue Authority, and we are proceeding in a professional manner regarding the cases pending in court.”
He said that the CDA implements court decisions, adding, “If something goes wrong, we are responsible for it.” He questioned how the CDA could adopt a different approach during a committee meeting when the matter was already in a civil court.
He added that land records were being digitised and the CDA would not delay cases pending in courts.
“CDA is handing over cases of officials involved in corruption to the FIA. Let the court decide this case; we will fight it in court,” he said.
The committee raised critical questions over multiple property transfers. Senator Rubina Khalid repeatedly asked how one plot had been transferred five times at the CDA office, saying the authority had failed to fulfill its responsibilities toward affectees. Committee Chairman Senator Waqar Mehdi asked, “Where should the fifth-hand plot buyer go now?”
Senator Palwasha Khan pointed to institutional weaknesses, stating: “FIA itself is a corrupt institution. NCCIA is also a corrupt institution,” she alleged, recommending that all cases related to wrongful allotment of plots be handed over to NAB.
“We are ready to provide records of cases and send the matter to NAB,” the CDA chairman said.
Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2025