ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday decided to upgrade recognised slums of Islamabad and in this regard announced different facilities.

The CDA board, which met here with Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa in the chair, approved new regulations to regularise and upgrade the slums, located in various areas including F-6, F-7 and G-7.

“The aim of these regulations is to regularise and upgrade the already recognised Katchi Abadis existing in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) in accordance with the law.

“These Katchi Abadis were regularised by the federal government between 1995 and 2004. In these Katchi Abadis, only those individuals will be considered entitled residents who were found residing there in the survey conducted up to December 31, 2002,” read a statement issued by CDA after the board meeting.

Upgradation of these settlements will include preparation of layout plans

There were 10 approved slums, out of them, Haq Bahoo and Dhoke Najo were shifted to Frash Town, while, Muslim Colony Bari Imam was also approved slums and sources said that majority of its dwellers which stood at around 450 in past were allotted plots in Frash Town, but a large number of dewellers were still waiting for their turn.

Later on the approved slums saw abnormal growth of illegal construction. Recently, CDA removed entire Muslim Colony whether it was approved or illegal.

The board meeting decided that Spatial Directorate of the Planning Wing of CDA will conduct a fresh survey of these recognised Katchi Abadis. Based on these surveys, schemes for the upgradation and resettlement of these slums will be prepared.

CDA says the upgradation of these settlements will include the preparation of layout plans. Similarly, the schemes for Katchi Abadis will include ensuring the upgradation of existing infrastructure and the provision of basic amenities for the slums.

“The steps will also include the beautification of these slums and the construction and repair of roads and streets. Furthermore, the aim of these measures is to integrate these recognised katchi abadis into the well planned urban planning of Islamabad.

CDA chairmanMohammad Ali Randhawa said that these measures will promote organised urban planning in the federal capital,” the statement said.

In the second meeting of the CDA Board, a design proposal was presented for the construction of a model graveyard at the Pandoriyan site. Keeping in view the needs of the growing urban population, the model graveyard will be constructed at the Pandoriyan location.

Source said that this graveyard will also cater to CDA’s new housing scheme, being constructed in the area.

The statement said that the CDA chairman had directed that spacious prayer halls for funerals, ablution areas, public toilets and adequate parking facilities be ensured in the model graveyard.

He directed that facilities including a hearse and ambulance, as well as CCTV surveillance, should also be provided, adding that high-quality standards and all modern facilities should also be ensured in the model graveyard.

The board meeting was attended by Member Administration and Estate Talat Mehmood, Member Finance Tahir Naeem, Member Engineering Syed Nafasat Raza, Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch, Member Planning and Design, Dr. Khalid Hafiz and other senior officers.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of Punjab University, Dr Mohammad Ali participated in the CDA Board meeting via zoom link. Several agenda items were discussed in the second meeting of the CDA Board.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2026