The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is preparing to launch an operation within the next week to seal the offices of 40 illegal housing societies in Islamabad. The planned action aims to enforce regulations against housing schemes operating without fulfilling the required legal conditions.
According to the available details, the CDA’s Planning Wing issued notices to seal the offices of these housing societies on August 21. However, the authorities have not yet carried out the operation, despite more than two and a half months passing since the notices were issued.
The delay has raised concerns within the authority, while investors have also called for action against housing societies allegedly selling plots without completing development work.
CDA Directs Officials to Take Immediate Action
In a letter dated October 23, a senior official of the CDA Planning Wing directed the Enforcement Directorate to coordinate with the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and Islamabad Police.
The coordination is intended to ensure that the sealing operation can be carried out smoothly and without security-related difficulties.
The letter expressed concern that the marketing and site offices of the illegal housing schemes had not been sealed despite the passage of more than two months. It also highlighted reports that some housing society sponsors were using the delay to seek court stay orders.
The senior official instructed deputy directors of the Planning Wing to immediately implement the sealing orders with assistance from the Enforcement Directorate.
The letter also warned that officials who fail to carry out their assigned responsibilities could face disciplinary proceedings under the CDA Employees Service Regulations.
Why Has the Sealing Operation Been Delayed?
An official from the Enforcement Directorate attributed part of the delay to anti-encroachment operations being conducted in different areas of Islamabad.
These operations reportedly affected the authority’s ability to proceed with the sealing of housing society offices.
However, the Planning Wing has now directed the relevant departments to coordinate with the local administration and police so that the pending action can move forward.
The proposed operation is expected to target the marketing and site offices of the 40 housing schemes identified by the CDA.
Investors Demand Action Against Housing Societies
Meanwhile, small investors have raised concerns over the activities of housing society owners and the approval process.
Investors have called for action against CDA officials who allegedly approved layout plans even though some housing societies had not fulfilled the required conditions.
They claim that certain housing society owners continued selling plot files for years without carrying out the promised development work. They also alleged that these schemes violated CDA regulations while collecting money from buyers.
The investors believe that action should not be limited to sealing offices. They have also demanded accountability for those responsible for approving or allowing allegedly non-compliant housing schemes to operate.
What Investors Should Know
The planned operation could affect the marketing and site offices of the identified housing societies. However, sealing an office does not automatically determine the ownership status of individual plots or resolve investors’ financial claims.
People considering investments in Islamabad housing schemes should verify the approval status of a project through the CDA before purchasing plot files or making payments.
The CDA is expected to coordinate with the relevant authorities before implementing the sealing orders. The operation is planned for the coming week, but the exact date has not been provided in the available details.
Also read: CDA Orders Sealing of Islamabad Green Paradise Offices
