ISLAMABAD: At a time when the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is focusing on retrieving state land from slums, it appears to have turned its back on alleged encroachments by two clubs serving the country’s affluent class.

On the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, CDA teams are active in Islamabad to remove encroachments from state land.

However, it seems they are targeting only slums, old villagers living on acquired land and vendors.

“Conducting an anti-encroachment operation is a good step, we are not against it. State land must be retrieved from everyone, whether in the possession of the elite class or poor slum dwellers,” said a government officer.

Officials call for across-the-board action as Islamabad Club and Gun and Country Club face allegations over land use and dues

He said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi should take notice of the situation.

Islamabad Club, which was set up on leased land, is accused of encroaching on over 51 kanal of CDA land, besides having pending rent. Meanwhile, another elite facility, the Gun and Country Club, is operating without any allotment or lease letter from the CDA on around 256 kanal, while proper demarcation of land is also pending.

According to a CDA document available with Dawn, Islamabad Club has encroached upon 51 kanal of CDA land, while sources in the authority say Rs485 million in Annual Ground Rent (AGR) is also pending.

“Demand notice of the above-mentioned amount has been served to the management of the club along with multiple reminders. However, the outstanding amount has not been deposited yet. Some land has been encroached upon/occupied by Islamabad Club for parking purposes and other uses, including CDA land and the right of way of Murree Road. The total occupied area measures about 54 kanals,” read the CDA document.

It said the Building Control Section of the CDA, through a letter dated 24-02-2023 addressed to the Islamabad Club administration, conveyed directions for the removal of violations/encroachments on the right of way of Murree Road and for the removal of fencing. The matter of encroachment was also taken up by federal audit authorities.

It is relevant to note that the Auditor General of Pakistan had already highlighted issues of both clubs in its audit paras. However, the CDA remains unmoved.

When contacted, a CDA officer said it is wrong to suggest that the authority only targets slums. “We always carry out operations across the board,” he said.

Meanwhile, the management of Islamabad Club, in a written reply, stated that the club was allotted 352.8 acres of land by the CDA in 1968-69. The land was leased at concessional rates in recognition of the club’s non-profit, self-sustaining status, operating without any government funding or support from the exchequer.

“CDA raised demands and revised the basis of calculation from per acre to per square yard. The club contested these demands and requested that, taking into consideration the special character of Islamabad Club, concessional rates be applied.”

In response to a question about encroachment, the club stated, “The club has maintained its boundary since its establishment in 1968-69. The matter was also highlighted in the Auditor General’s report and subsequently discussed in the Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC). The club explained that the fence had been erected for the safety and security of diplomats and members and would be removed as and when required by the CDA. The club has further clarified that the boundary has remained unchanged since inception and does not constitute an encroachment, and that no permanent structure exists on the said land.”

The para was settled by the DAC in its meeting held on May 25, 2023, which was also attended by the then Member Planning and Development, CDA, the club stated in its reply.

The Gun and Country Club is spread over around 32 acres in the Shakarparian area of the capital. It was established during the 9th South Asian Games in 2004 for shooting range facilities, but later a club was developed there. The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) is overseeing its affairs.

When contacted, a senior IPC official said the club had not made any encroachment, though it had no allotment or lease documents from the CDA. “This club is a legitimate facility. As far as the lease of the land is concerned, we are ready to pay the CDA,” the officer said.

On the direction of the Public Accounts Committee, we have written several letters to the CDA to carry out proper demarcation of the land, he said, sharing a copy of the latest letter issued on April 6 and addressed to the CDA.

“It is once again requested that the matter regarding demarcation and leasing of land to the Gun and Country Club, Islamabad, may kindly be expedited,” the letter stated.

It is true the CDA never allotted any land for this club, a CDA officer said.

“We have allotted 145 acres to the Pakistan Sports Board, so either this club is built on Sports Board land or through encroachment on CDA land. During demarcation, everything will become clearer,” the CDA officer said.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2026