Islamabad Man Gets 22 Plots from CDA Under Suspicious Circumstances

A 2023-24  audit report revealed a man in Islamabad was allotted 22 residential plots by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) under suspicious circumstances. This case has raised significant concerns about procedural lapses and potential misconduct within the civic agency.

The audit report, titled “Doubtful Allotment of 22 Residential Plots,” outlines how the CDA, which typically requires extensive documentation for even a five-marla plot, approved the allocation of 22 plots to a single person without raising objections, despite the individual changing his name and his father’s name.

The individual in question was allotted these plots in exchange for 84 kanals of land acquired by the CDA in Sector D-13, Islamabad. According to the CDA Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Regulation 2007, land is acquired on a sharing basis, where a developed plot of one kanal is allotted for every four kanals of land acquired.

The audit report details that the land, measuring 88 kanals and six marlas, was originally registered under the name of Mohammad Akhtar Tahir, son of Mohammad Ashraf Tahir. However, the owner submitted a request to the CDA to change his name to Mohammad Azhar, son of Mirza Mohammad Ali, as per his new CNIC issued by Nadra. The CDA granted the allotment under this new identity.

The audit observed that the allotment was made based solely on the CNIC, without corresponding changes in the land revenue records, such as the land award, Naqsha-II, and Fard. Additionally, there was no verification of educational degrees, certificates, ‘nikahnama,’ or police reports. The audit report deemed this allotment doubtful due to the lack of an authentic title.

Despite the name change, the land revenue records still listed the ownership under Mohammad Akhtar. This discrepancy resulted in the questionable allotment of 22 plots, valued at approximately Rs440 million (22 plots at Rs20 million each), without thorough verification or a fact-finding inquiry to confirm the real owner.

The audit pointed out these irregularities in June 2023. In response, the CDA claimed that a civil judge in Lahore had directed Nadra in 2016 to cancel the CNIC issued in the name of Mohammad Akhtar. The deputy commissioner of the CDA reportedly took measures to update the revenue records accordingly.

However, the audit report rejected the CDA’s response, citing the absence of supporting documentation. Furthermore, the Departmental Audit Committee meeting, which could have addressed these issues, was not convened by the principal accounting officer despite repeated requests in October, November, and December of 2023.

The audit has recommended that the CDA provide the complete case file, including the civil judge’s judgment and details of the name change in the DC CDA records, to substantiate the allotment in favor of the new allottee.