Islamabad: In a major shift in land acquisition policy, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) approved the Islamabad Rehabilitation Regulations 2024 at its 16th Board meeting on Wednesday. This update, prompted by a recent Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruling, transitions to market-based monetary compensation for land and Built-Up Property (BUP) acquisitions within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
The October 30 ruling by Justice Babar Sattar directed the CDA to stop awarding plots and BUPs as compensation for land acquisition, stating that this approach was inconsistent with the CDA Ordinance of 1960. The court mandated that compensation should reflect the market value at the time of acquisition, removing the practice of issuing separate awards for land and BUPs.
Under the new Islamabad Rehabilitation Regulations 2024, the CDA will now provide market-value monetary compensation, aligning with legal guidelines in the CDA Ordinance. This change aims to standardize the compensation process and uphold the rights of landowners within ICT.
The CDA Board also approved structural reforms within the organization, including reorganizing the Directorate of Emergency and Disaster Management and the 1122 Emergency Service under a newly created Director General of Capital Emergency Services. The board endorsed recruiting skilled professionals on a contractual basis to strengthen these departments.
CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa also directed the board to accelerate the promotion process for eligible officers and staff. To enhance its digital security, the board approved hiring a cybersecurity firm on a running contract and plans to recruit additional IT professionals to bolster the IT Directorate.
This policy update represents a significant step in CDA’s modernization efforts, ensuring that compensation processes and operational frameworks meet standards of transparency, efficiency, and legal compliance.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
