CDA Orders Bahria Town to Transfer 488 Kanals of Public Land

The Capital Development Authority has issued a strict show cause notice to Bahria Town (Pvt) Ltd, directing the developer to transfer 487.92 kanals of public amenity land, roads, and parking areas within 10 days. CDA warned that failure to comply may trigger legal and administrative action. The notice states that Bahria Town repeatedly ignored earlier reminders issued throughout 2025, despite being legally required to transfer all public use areas under the CDA Ordinance 1960, ICT Zoning Regulation 1992, and the 2023 regulations governing private schemes. CDA also cited multiple Islamabad High Court rulings from 2017, 2018, and 2025, which require strict enforcement of zoning laws and prohibit developers from altering or withholding land designated for public use. The authority said these binding judgments leave “no room for discretion” in enforcing compliance. Officials said layout plans for Bahria Paradise Commercial Schemes I to IV were approved in August 2023. Together they cover 893.91 kanals and were approved on the condition that all public building plots, parking spaces, and roads would be transferred to CDA free of cost. However, CDA said the developer failed to transfer 306.9 kanals of amenity plots and 181.02 kanals of roads and parking areas. Even graveyard land, required under regulatory clause 34(24), has not been transferred. The notice adds that Bahria Town did not provide compliance reports, display boards, or updated satellite and drone imagery of public use sites. CDA said these were necessary to verify that amenity areas were properly demarcated and secured. If Bahria Town fails to comply within 10 days, CDA has warned of multiple punitive steps. These include approaching NAB or FIA for investigation, blocking access to the scheme, suspending building plan approvals, selling mortgaged plots for recovery, sealing offices, and demolishing unauthorised structures with cost recovery. CDA has granted the developer a final opportunity for a personal hearing within the deadline. The authority said the action aims to protect public rights and prevent the misuse of land that is legally reserved for community facilities and open spaces.