* Over 18,898 acres of acquired land are still in possession of old owners
* Ownership of 10,879 acres has not been transferred in favour of CDA

By Ikram Junaidi

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has failed to get possession of land acquired for developing new sectors, as presently over 18,898 acres of acquired land are still in possession of old owners and ownership of 10,879 acres has not been yet transferred in favour of CDA in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and Rawalpindi revenue records due to the negligence of the civic body officials.

According to details, after approval of Islamabad Master Plan in 1960 CDA started acquiring land for different projects, schemes and sectors as per requirement. According to letter No. ADL/CDA land/2009, CDA has acquired 74,480 acres and three marlas for sectors C-13, C-14, C-16, D-13, F-13, H-16, and I-17. Out of it over 55,581 acres of land has been utilised or in possession of CDA, while 18,898 acres are still in possession of the affectees.

According to the sources, CDA Land Department has allegedly never paid any attention to its duty, as over 10,879 acres of acquired land are yet to be transferred in favour of CDA. The documents obtained by Daily Times show that the ownership of 63,609 acres, two kanal and eight marlas of acquired land has been mutated or transferred in favour of CDA in the revenue record of ICT and Rawalpindi, but 10,879 acres, two kanals and nine marlas are not yet transferred CDA favour in the revenue record.

CDA Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi has shown serious concern over this blunder of the Land Department and directed the revenue staff to approach ICT administration and Rawalpindi to check the revenue record whether the ownership of land acquired by CDA had been mutated or transferred in favour of CDA.

According to sources, officers of Directorate of Enforcement and Directorate of Land are allegedly not interested in getting possession of the land from affectees who time to time get plots against the land sold to CDA and cash money against built-up property.

These officers allegedly get their share from the affectees and this practice is delaying development work in sector I-11, I-12. I-15, G-14 and other sectors multiplying sufferings of those who have been allotted plots in these sectors and waiting for possession letters to construct their houses.

Spokesman for CDA Ramzan Sajid told Daily Times that CDA Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi had instructed all the departments of the authority to perform their duties with honesty and dedication to serve the people.