ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) board approved the Islamabad formulation of new Rehabilitation Regulations 2024, providing a mechanism for land affectees to receive plots in exchange for their Built-Up Properties (BUP).
As per CDA’s rules, there are currently two types of awards: the land award and the BUP award. Land is acquired either through monetary compensation or on a land-sharing basis, while Built-Up Properties (BUPs) are compensated with plot allotments, termed as ‘rehabilitation benefits’.
When contacted, a senior officer involved with the agenda stated that the initial concept for the regulations has been presented to the CDA board for deliberation, in light of a recent judgment by Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court.
However, when contacted, CDA’s Director of Public Relations informed the private media that the board has principally approved a summary moved by the Estate Wing and decided to draft new regulations, which will bar any further allotment of plots for Built-Up Properties (BUPs); instead, land affectees will now only receive monetary compensation.
The aforementioned judgment directed the CDA to discontinue the allotment of plots in exchange for Built-Up Properties (BUPs) and to provide only monetary compensation to land affectees.
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The judgment granted the CDA 30 days to present the matter to the CDA board and 90 days to address all pending BUP claims. It protected completed and past transactions, specifying that the new regulations would not affect plots already allotted for BUPs under various policies but prohibited the civic agency from making further plot allotments under this provision.
The judgment, along with the proposed regulations, may face strong resistance from local landowners and various stakeholders, as they have significant interests in BUPs.
The move could further hinder sector development, as if the CDA discontinues plot allotments for BUPs, obtaining possession in many underdeveloped sectors would become challenging.
In 2008-09, the CDA acquired several residential sectors but, in a highly questionable move, did not announce the BUP award to secure possession of the land.
As per its rules, the CDA provides a five marla plot for a BUP claim with a covered area of over 300 square feet. Sectors with pending BUP awards include E-13, F-13, C-13, C-14, C-16, I-17, and H-16. Although the CDA announced the BUP award for Sector C-15 in 2016, it has yet to issue allotment letters to secure land possession from locals to commence development work.
The CDA has developed 24 sectors so far and acquired land for seven more in 2008-09, for which BUP awards are still pending. In addition to the pending awards, the CDA has also failed to resolve compensation cases in several sectors.
Meanwhile, the CDA Board meeting decided to fully activate the Capital Emergency Services. Additionally, it was agreed that the Directorates of Emergency and Disaster Management and 1122 Cares will operate under the Director General of Capital Emergency Services.
