The Public Accounts Committee of Pakistan (PAC) on Wednesday expressed serious concern over corruption and irregularities in the Capital Development Authority (CDA) while reviewing audit findings and pending cases referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The meeting, chaired by Shahida Akhtar Ali, examined the CDA’s Audit Report 2023-24 and discussed several audit paras that had been forwarded to the FIA for investigation.
Usman Anwar, Director General of the FIA, appeared before the committee and briefed members on the progress of the cases.
During the briefing, the FIA chief highlighted a suspicious allotment of 43 plots in Islamabad, which allegedly caused a loss of Rs. 1 billion to the national exchequer.
According to the DG FIA, FIRs have been registered against 57 individuals, including CDA officials, employees, and private persons. So far, 37 suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.
The committee was also briefed on another case involving irregularities exceeding Rs. 850 million in land management payments.
The DG FIA said 19 FIRs had been registered in this matter, with investigations revealing embezzlement worth Rs1.2 billion. Bank accounts of those involved have been frozen or attached.
PAC members expressed serious concern over the extent of corruption in the CDA.
PAC chairperson Shahida Akhtar Ali described the situation as “very alarming.”
Committee member Nadeem Abbas remarked that the scale of corruption indicated a near-total breakdown of the CDA’s internal system.
Shazia Marri highlighted the hardships faced by affected individuals and warned that the situation should not escalate to the point where citizens are forced to protest to claim their rights.
Tariq Fazal Chaudhry noted that the CDA is currently compensating affectees at Rs800,000 per kanal based on the 2008 rates, while land prices have surged sharply; even Rs. 10 million per kanal is now insufficient to purchase land in the area.
The DG FIA also informed the committee that orphans and persons with disabilities were among those deceived, raising further concerns about the handling of compensation claims.
Meanwhile, the CDA chairman assured the committee that once the FIA completes its investigation, payments will be made to genuine affectees.
The committee directed the relevant authorities to ensure full transparency and accountability in the management of land compensation and allotment cases.
