In the 2017-18 budget, out of the Capital Development Authority (CDA)’s PKR 37.9 billion budget, PKR 11.10 billion were reserved for Priority Development Projects. Names of priority projects were specifically identified in the budget document. These projects are construction of Islamabad Expressway’s Sohan and Khana Interchange, construction of Bhara Kahu Bypass and development of Sectors E-12, C-15 and I-15.
Among these projects, E-12 holds special status.
A bit of background
Despite launching Sector E-12 around 28 years ago, the CDA has only managed to acquire 25% of land for the project. It is widely believed that the civic authority has been struggling to find funds for development work in several of its projects. We heard the same from the officials too; In fact, CDA is often seen auctioning off property to arrange for funds.
With PKR 11 billion reserved especially for the development of CDA’s pending projects, the issues that haunt Sector E-12 should now be dealt with effectively.
What got E-12 in the limelight?
About two years ago, just when CDA was preparing to launch Sector C-15, allottees of E-12 took the matter to the apex court. Their petition was to make CDA bound to complete development in the existing sectors before launching new ones.
The Supreme Court gave verdict in favour of the allottees and ordered CDA to fix issues that hinder it from initiating development work on these sectors. Now finally after two years, the government has come to the aid of CDA by reserving PKR 11 billion specifically for its pending projects.
What’s the latest from E-12?
At the moment, the CDA has acquired land for E-12/2, while land meant for E-12/1, E-12/3 and E-12/4 is still to be acquired. As we speak, around 400 families live in E-12 and, reportedly, many of them still haven’t sold their land to the authority. Nonetheless, a decent percentage of property owners have been paid off by the CDA while the issue of determining the cost of the built-up property still exists. According to my sources, the CDA is yet to sort out the details with owners of 1,000 property units.
Compensation for property owners
Some E-12 property owners have been issued alternate plots in Sector I-12. In addition, the CDA has also reserved land in E-12 to adjust these property owners. For the built-up units, the authority is known to offer fair compensation; it has never quoted less than market rates. With the funds made available by the government, the CDA should be in a good position to pay off property owners and acquire E-12’s land.
A look at rates
Unlike other CDA sectors, property rates in E-12 are pretty low. If you put a value to it, they are around half of the asking price in other developed CDA sectors. Although recently, a price appreciation of 10% was noticed in market rate of E-12 plots, there is still some time before property rates will see a decent and consistent rise.
Some people believe that since CDA is now committed to fix issues of Sector E-12, property rates here will increase in the future. While some others believe that, it will take more time before development work can be initiated.
Here is a range of rates of different sized plots in E-12:
| Plot Size | Price Range |
| 4-Marla | PKR 2,900,000 – PKR 3,500,000 |
| 5-Marla | PKR 4,000,000 – PKR 5,000,000 |
| 8-Marla | PKR 6,000,000 – PKR 7,000,000 |
| 10-Marla | PKR 5,000,000 – PKR 8,500,000 |
| 14-Marla | PKR 11,000,000 – PKR 12,500,000 |
| 20-Marla | PKR 16,000,000 – PKR 18,000,000 |
| 22-Marla | PKR 18,000,000 – PKR 20,000,000 |
What to expect?
The one problem at hand is that the funds made available through the budget may not be enough to help the CDA with all five of its projects. In other words, it might take a few more years before E-12 sees any real development.
Nonetheless, the CDA can now at least get complete possession of land for E-12 with the available funds. To initiate development work, it can ask for help from the E-12’s property owners in the form of additional development charges. Some may go for this option if paying additional development charges comes with a convenient payment plan.
Do you have any suggestion for the CDA when it comes to E-12’s issues? Sound off in the comment section below.
Related News
Is it a wise investment to put funds in E-12 Sector? I am still unclear about the new tax or so called stamp duty issue in Pakistan. Any comments?
Ms Samra Zulfiqar should be complimented for highlighting the hitherto failure of CDA and successive governments since 1988 of not developingSector E-12 for the last 28 or so years.
Re shortage of funds envisaged even after 2017-18 allocation for E-12, it is suggested that CDAmay consider to sell commercial land in already acquired Sector E-12/2. to pay for the development works.
CDA shd sell some prime land and funds thus raised be spent on E-12.
Instead of charging and asking allottees in E12 to pay for additional development charges, CDA shd compensate allottees for the increase in construction costs since 1988 or so, when CDA received full consideration for the plots it sold to public.
CDA shd not be allowed to float any new sector, until it has handed over possession of plots it sold in 1988/89.
She deserves our appreciation and compliments for the efforts she has been making towards highlighting this issue. This sector has been kept deliberately stalled for the last three decades by the land mafia operating hand in glove with the CDA simply to mint money at the cost of hapless allottes who paid land price much earldier than 1990.
To raise financial resources for the development of Sector E-12, CDA shd sell commercial plots in already acquired E-12/2.
CDA shd compensate plot owners in Sector E12 for the inordinate delay of almost three decades
the development of Sector E 12
CDA shd not be allowed to offer new plots /sectors for sale to public until they hand over possession in E12.
Appreciate very nice analysis of current situation of E-12 and other CDA sectors. Good advise to laymen like me.
I do not endorse the suggestion that CDA should ask the alotteea to chip in more money for development of E 12 after 3 decades. CDA cannot penalse the hapless allotees, for its own willful negligence. Had it acquired the land at the time sector was announced i.e in 1988 -90 at the then prevalent market rate it would have saved billions in its kitty today. Moreover, it must have earned many billions more by selling commercial plots. At leas allotees might have built their own shelter over their heads – built much earlier and less costlie. So it is the sole responsibility of CDA to get E12 vacated and fully develop it as quickly as possible.
Appreciate, very useful article on CDA sectors and E=12 status. It would be helpful to lay men like me who are in search of some house or plot at reasonable price and suitable place. thanks
may i know instalment
Assalam ilaikum Samra
We have made a group containing e12 allotees (those affected by e12). Here is more detail if zameen (for media/reporting purposes) or anybody else would like to get in touch. Our group is in place to work together to persuade cda to develop e12.
https:// www. facebook. com/Islamabad-Sector-E-12-Allotees-1662263094036392/
Whatsapp number if you want to be added to the group.
00923345928894
Assalam ilaikum Samra
We have made a group containing e12 allotees (those affected by e12). Here is more detail if zameen (for media/reporting purposes) or anybody else would like to get in touch. Our group is in place to work together to persuade cda to develop sector e12.
https:// www. facebook. com/Islamabad-Sector-E-12-Allotees-1662263094036392/
Whatsapp number if you want to be added to the group.
00923345928894
E12 needs to be developed on priority basis as compared to other sectors like I-15 OR C-15 which were way announced later then a decade. That’s injustice if e12 is overshadowed by other sectors. CDA needs to stick out hands from pocket and at least develop areas of e12 which they got posession, it will pave way for the development of other e12 sub-sectors.
Cda must take practical steps and we allottes will carry on our struggle until we get possession of our land and day by day we are getting United and stronger.
Salam all, I went to see my plot in E-12/4 and was astonished to see the sector has no indication of even one road. I am very disappointed. I strongly request CDA to make our plot available to us to build homes on them asap. We have been patient for 28 years.
You are spot-on Usman Ibad Sahb
So can we expect that the prices in E-12 will be equal to prevailing prices of D-12 after 5-6 years?
So can we expect that prices in E-12 will match prices in D-12 after 5-6 years?
good analysis i think CDA should take loan from the allotees for development funds max upto 1 million each thats how it will be able to generate around 10 billions and later return the same by selling the commercial area in e-12 and start immediate development work.