ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has said it will take action against alleged encroachments by Islamabad Club and Gun and Country Club.
According to a private newspaper, the CDA said its recent anti-encroachment operations in Bari Imam and Saidpur were carried out to recover state land.
Speaking at a media briefing at CDA headquarters, Deputy Director General Enforcement Dr Anam Fatima said the operation in Bari Imam was not carried out in haste, and people were given enough time to vacate the land.
Responding to a question, she said action would also be taken against Islamabad Club and Gun and Country Club if encroachments were confirmed, in line with rules and regulations.
She said a committee had been formed to review the case of Islamabad Club, while the Building Control Directorate had issued notices to Gun and Country Club. “We carry out operations without discrimination,” she added.
According to CDA records, around 51 kanals of land are under alleged illegal occupation of Islamabad Club. Meanwhile, Gun and Country Club, which is operating on 250 kanals, does not have lease or allotment documents. Construction has also reportedly been carried out at the Gun Club without CDA approval.
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In its response, Islamabad Club said it was in contact with the CDA to resolve the issue, adding that no structures had been built on the disputed land, which was being used for parking. The Gun Club management also said it had written several letters to the CDA regarding the matter.
Talking about Bari Imam, Dr Anam said the CDA had acquired 1,234 kanals of land from locals in the 1960s. In return, the affected people were given 4,900 kanals of cultivable land in Punjab along with cash compensation for structures.
She said there was no court case on the matter and all benefits had already been provided. “Despite this, people continued to occupy land, expand houses and build informal settlements, which were rented out,” she said, adding that no one was given special treatment during the operation.
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She further said that all remaining land in the area would also be cleared. Regarding Saidpur, Dr Anam said affected people had also received land and cash compensation in the 1960s. However, over time, many families built multiple houses, including large bungalows, on the acquired land.
Responding to a question about development work in Saidpur, she said the CDA focused on removing illegal constructions outside the old village area. “The renovated part of the village will not be demolished, and the CDA will take it over,” she said.
Dr Anam clarified that the issue of slums (katchi abadis) is separate from the operations in Bari Imam and Saidpur, which relate to large-scale construction on CDA-acquired land.
