CDA Orders Another Housing Society to Stop Development or Face Bulldozers

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued a show-cause notice to Safa Homes, alleging that the housing project is carrying out development in Islamabad’s Zone-IV without securing the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) and Layout Plan (LOP) approval.

According to the notice, the project is being developed in violation of the CDA Ordinance, 1960, the ICT Zoning Regulations, 1992, and the Private Housing Schemes Regulations, 2023. The developers have been given seven days to explain why legal proceedings should not be initiated against them.

The CDA has also directed the project sponsors to immediately stop all development activities, including the marketing, sale, purchase, allotment, and transfer of plots. They have further been instructed to remove all unauthorized structures and cease the alleged illegal use of land within seven days.

The authority warned that failure to comply could lead to demolition of unauthorized structures, sealing of the scheme and site offices, suspension of land use, and other enforcement measures with the assistance of law enforcement agencies. It added that the cost of any enforcement operation would be recovered from those responsible and that ex parte proceedings could also be initiated.

In its notice, the CDA cited multiple judgments of the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan affirming that private housing schemes cannot undertake development without the authority’s approval. It reiterated that the CDA is the sole regulator responsible for approving and monitoring private housing projects in the Islamabad Capital Territory.

The notice also referred to court rulings directing the CDA to take action against housing schemes that violate approved layout plans or alter land reserved for public utilities. It stressed that all private housing projects must obtain the required approvals before starting construction or development.

The CDA further cited a recent 2026 Islamabad High Court judgment reaffirming that the approval and modification of layout plans fall exclusively within the authority’s jurisdiction. It noted that courts have consistently held that no legal rights can arise from unauthorized construction carried out in violation of planning laws.

The project sponsors have been offered an opportunity to submit a written reply and appear for a personal hearing before the competent authority within seven days.

Copies of the notice have been sent to the CDA Enforcement Wing, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, SSP Islamabad, Registrar Cooperative Societies, IESCO, SNGPL, and other relevant departments to facilitate enforcement. The CDA has also asked the concerned authorities to ensure that utility connections and publicity are limited to private housing schemes that have obtained the required approvals.