Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has officially withdrawn a notification that imposed substantial development charges on residents who were allotted plots through land acquisition and land-sharing arrangements.
In a revised notification issued on Wednesday, CDA Director of Land and Rehabilitation, Samina Pasha, annulled an earlier order dated May 7, 2025, which she had also signed. The rescinded order had announced development charges of Rs. 9,000 per square yard for allottees in several residential sectors, including C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, C-17, I-11, I-12, I-14, and I-15.
The May 7 directive had cited a CDA Board decision from August 13, 2024, as its basis, prompting swift backlash from affected residents. Many of these individuals had received plots as compensation for land acquired by the CDA, and the sudden imposition of charges was viewed as a violation of their original agreement.
Protests and criticism followed, with stakeholders arguing that imposing fees on compensation-based allotments was both unjust and contrary to existing policy.
In the updated notification, the CDA clarified that the August 2024 Board decision would not be applicable to cases involving land-sharing and land acquisition allotments. The authority cited Section 3 of the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Regulation 2007, which guarantees the provision of developed plots to original landowners under the land-sharing scheme—without additional development charges.
The withdrawal of the fee order comes as a significant relief to affected residents and sets a precedent for the authority’s adherence to its legal obligations.
CDA officials have not announced whether the issue will be reconsidered under new terms, but for now, allottees of the mentioned sectors will remain exempt from the previously announced charges.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
