The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued a show-cause notice to M/s Bahria Town (Pvt) Ltd over alleged violations in Bahria Paradise Commercial Scheme-IV, Zone-5, Islamabad, over the illegal conversion of public amenity plots, unauthorized construction, and development without obtaining the mandatory no-objection certificate (NOC).
The notice, dated January 14, 2026, has been issued under Sections 49-C, 46, and 46-B of the CDA Ordinance, 1960, read with the relevant provisions of the ICT Zoning Regulations, 1992, and the Housing Scheme Regulations, 2023.
According to the notice, the layout plan of Bahria Paradise Commercial Scheme-IV, spread over 243.34 kanals, was approved on August 29, 2023, subject to specific terms and conditions. The CDA stated that despite the lapse of more than two years, the sponsor failed to fulfill the prerequisites for obtaining an NOC and proceeded with development activities and the sale of plots, in violation of the CDA Ordinance and zoning regulations. The authority noted that the sponsor had been explicitly directed to refrain from any development or sale prior to the issuance of the NOC.
The CDA further observed multiple violations of the approved layout plan at the site. One highlighted violation includes the conversion of an open space measuring 5.20 kanals along a 100-foot-wide access road into commercial use. The authority also stated that the scheme area was illegally extended without prior approval of a revised layout plan or NOC, declaring the ongoing construction and land use illegal under the applicable laws.
The notice refers to several judgments of the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which have consistently held that public amenity plots cannot be converted for commercial or residential purposes and that ex post facto approvals are not permissible. The CDA emphasized that these judgments have attained finality and are binding, reinforcing the illegality of modifications or relocations made without prior approval.
The CDA also pointed out that the Directorate General of Federal Audit has framed an audit para regarding the non-cancellation of the layout plan despite outstanding fines, penalties, and commercialization and land-use conversion charges amounting to Rs. 1,842.270 million. The authority stated that repeated directions issued to the sponsor since October 2023 to comply with the layout plan conditions have not been fulfilled to date.
Under the notice, Bahria Town has been directed to remove, demolish, or alter the illegal structures, or stop the use of land in contravention of the approved layout plan within seven days. The CDA warned that it may use force, including police assistance, to carry out demolitions and recover costs from the responsible party if compliance is not ensured within the stipulated timeframe.
The authority also cautioned that additional punitive actions may be initiated, including cancellation of the approved layout plan, suspension of building plan approvals, sealing of society and site offices, referral of the case to investigation agencies such as NAB and FIA, and suspension of the processing of other cases of the sponsor. An opportunity for a personal hearing has been offered within seven days, while the enforcement and building control directorates have been directed to prepare for action upon the expiry of the notice period.