CDA Suspends Officials’ Trip Abroad Over Foreign Land Transfers

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has stopped its officials from traveling to a Gulf nation for the transfer of an agricultural plot in Islamabad, citing legal and regulatory requirements.

A team comprising three CDA officials and one representative from the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration had planned to visit the Gulf country to facilitate the transfer of a 2.72-acre plot, previously owned by a former diplomat, to a citizen of that country.

However, the trip was called off after it was determined that such a property transaction cannot proceed without explicit approval from the federal government.

According to sources, the Ministry of Interior had issued a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the transfer in February last year. Following this, the CDA had arranged for a four-member delegation to travel abroad, with expenses to be covered by the relevant embassy.

The plan was abandoned after media attention brought the issue to light. Under the Foreigners Act of 1946, which Pakistan has adopted, foreigners are prohibited from purchasing land in the country without prior written consent from the federal government.

A CDA spokesperson explained that the agency had initially processed the case under Section 13 of the Property Manual, which allows foreign nationals to acquire property if they have prior approval from the Ministry of Interior. However, the federal government later clarified that, according to a notification issued on September 9, 1984, under the Foreigners Act, 1946, any such acquisition requires direct approval from the federal government.

“As a result, the provisional arrangements have been suspended, and the case will only move forward if the necessary federal approval is obtained by the prospective buyer,” the spokesperson said, adding that no public funds were used or intended for the trip.

A CDA official further noted that the agency had acted on the request of an ambassador from a friendly country, based on the NOC issued in February 2024. However, the process has now been halted, and the final decision rests with the federal government.

Following these developments, it has been confirmed that, under the Foreigners Act of 1946 and a subsequent notification from 1984, foreigners are generally barred from acquiring property in Pakistan without prior written permission from the federal or provincial authorities.

The notification also requires foreigners who already own land to provide full details of their holdings and their intended use, if requested by the government.