ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is preparing to launch Phase II of the Margalla Enclave Housing Project after the federal cabinet approved its plan to form a joint venture with a government-owned developer.
According to media reports, the cabinet approved the summary on August 21, allowing CDA to partner with any government body for the project. The second phase will cover 83 kanals of land, including 78 kanals in Kuri and five kanals in Humak.
CDA will soon invite applications from government-owned developers to select a partner. In Phase I, CDA had partnered with the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) under a 55-45 profit-sharing formula, where CDA provided the land and DHA carried out the development work.
The project’s first phase is progressing rapidly, and earlier this year, a significant number of plots were sold.
In May, the CDA board decided to move forward with Phase II under Rule 42(f) of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), which allows direct contracting between two government entities. The matter was later sent to the cabinet, which gave its approval.
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However, this move has raised concerns about CDA’s performance as a development authority. Instead of developing housing sectors on its own, CDA has increasingly relied on partnerships. The last fully developed sector by CDA alone was Sector D-12, completed in 2005.
CDA launched the Park Enclave Housing Scheme in 2011, which was only partially completed. Currently, development work is underway in several sectors, including C-14, C-15, E-12 (launched in 1989), I-12, and I-15. Work in C-14 and I-15 is said to be in advanced stages.
Despite having multiple acquired sectors such as D-13, E-13, F-13, H-16, C-13, and C-16, no major progress has been made, except some partial development in C-16.
A senior CDA official said the authority should focus on its core function — sector development and planning.
“CDA has 65 years of experience and resources. It should prove its capability by developing sectors on its own so that other organisations and developers may seek its expertise for future joint ventures,” the official added.
