CDA Land in Bhara Kahu Encroached as Inquiry Remains Stalled for 18 Months

ISLAMABAD: A substantial tract of Capital Development Authority (CDA) land in Bhara Kahu, originally acquired for the Korang waterworks project, has fallen prey to land grabbers while an inquiry committee has failed to conclude its investigation for over 18 months.

Officials confirm that the authority acquired 400 kanals for the water supply scheme, a significant portion of which has been fully or partially encroached upon.

“Encroachment of this scale on state land cannot occur without the complicity of CDA officials,” a source stated.

To ascertain the alleged involvement of CDA personnel and determine the precise extent of the occupied land, an inquiry committee was constituted. However, the probe has dragged on without resolution.

Probe still in progress, efforts underway to complete it as soon as possible, says inquiry officer

Officials noted that the proliferation of unauthorized structures on the acquired land surfaced years ago. Despite correspondence from the relevant CDA wing, no remedial action was taken. In February of last year, the authority formed a committee to investigate, yet it has been unable to finalize its findings. Documents reveal that despite repeated requests from the committee’s secretary, essential records have not been furnished.

“There is something deeply troubling about this entire episode. Where there is a will, there is a way. Demarcating acquired land to reclaim it is not an insurmountable task. The CDA management must act decisively: immediately demarcate the land and then pursue action against the encroachers,” an official remarked.

He urged the CDA to engage the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) revenue department for demarcation, emphasizing that the authority’s land directorate must take the lead in establishing the boundaries of the acquired property.

Without proper demarcation, the official added, no authoritative statement can be made regarding the number of structures erected on the land, though reports indicate a large number of houses have already been built.

According to the inquiry notification issued in February 2025, the committee was mandated to complete its task within 30 days.

“The CDA chairman also serves as the chief commissioner of Islamabad, presenting an ideal opportunity for the civic agency to direct the ICT revenue department and its own concerned wings to conduct a proper demarcation. Action must be taken against those who occupied state land and the officials who failed to prevent it. There is also a pressing need to verify whether the committee received the requisite records; if not, action should be initiated against the responsible officials as well,” the official stated.

The inquiry notification tasked the committee with conducting a physical site inspection to assess ground realities, carrying out demarcation after obtaining records and the Survey of Pakistan report, and identifying all encroachments. It was also directed to pinpoint officers and officials who failed to report the encroachment and fix responsibility.

One of the inquiry officers confirmed on Thursday that the investigation remains ongoing, adding that efforts are being made to conclude it as swiftly as possible.

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