Layout plan violations: CDA orders sealing of Bahria Town, Jinnah Garden, Soan Garden and AGOCHS offices

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has ordered action to seal the offices of four housing societies — Bahria Town, Jinnah Garden, Soan Garden and Accounts Group Officers Cooperative Housing Society (AGOCHS) — over alleged violations of approved layout plans and development regulations.

According to media reports, the CDA’s Planning Wing has issued formal directions to the Enforcement Wing to proceed against the four housing schemes. The authority had previously issued notices to the societies, directing them to comply with approved layout plans and other regulatory requirements. The decision to seal their offices was taken after the societies allegedly failed to comply despite show-cause and final notices.

According to CDA records, the layout plan for Bahria Town Phase III-E and IV was approved on December 8, 2010. The scheme, located in Zone 5, covers an area of 2,099 kanals. However, the CDA’s current record shows that its No Objection Certificate (NOC) has not been issued. Multiple show-cause notices were also recorded against the scheme between December 2025 and March 2026.

Media reports said the CDA’s notices alleged that Bahria Town Phase III-E and IV had failed to fulfil conditions attached to the approved layout plan and complete the requirements for obtaining an NOC. The authority also raised objections over alleged changes to areas designated for parks, graveyards and public buildings in certain other phases of Bahria Town.

In the case of Soan Garden, the CDA has alleged that areas designated for parks, graveyards and public buildings were allegedly altered. The authority has also pointed to development activities on around 585 kanals without an approved layout plan and NOC.

Regarding Jinnah Garden, the CDA said its second layout plan was approved in 2011 over an area of 2,548 kanals, but the society could not obtain an NOC. The authority has alleged that land reserved for public amenities, including parks, green areas, schools, hospitals, community centres and graveyards, was allegedly converted for other purposes. Similar objections have been raised regarding the 1,826-kanal Jinnah Garden Extension, where the CDA has also pointed to the absence of an NOC and alleged changes to areas reserved for public facilities.

For Accounts Group Officers Cooperative Housing Society (AGOCHS) Phase-I, CDA records show that the approved layout plan has been cancelled and an NOC has not been issued. The authority has also alleged changes to areas reserved for parks, graveyards and public buildings.

A senior CDA official, according to media reports, confirmed that the authority was preparing to seal the offices of the four housing societies. The official said show-cause and final notices had already been issued to the concerned societies and that the Enforcement Wing had been directed to proceed with the sealing action.

The CDA has stated that Islamabad has 66 approved housing schemes in addition to 199 illegal housing schemes. Of these, 53 are reportedly located outside Islamabad’s jurisdiction but use the name of the federal capital to attract potential investors.

The allegations mentioned above reflect the CDA’s regulatory position regarding the housing societies and should not be construed as final judicial findings or as allegations conclusively established by a court.