NA Body Seeks Probe into CDA Land Litigation

News Desk 

Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances on Thursday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to conduct a high-level inquiry into prolonged litigation involving land acquired for new residential sectors, observing that allottees should not suffer due to the authority’s negligence.

The committee, which met at Parliament House under the chairpersonship of MNA Nuzhat Sadiq, also unanimously approved the report of its sub-committee on the levy of development charges in underdeveloped sectors of Islamabad.

During the meeting, members were informed that several CDA sectors have remained embroiled in litigation for decades. The committee noted serious delays and a lack of effective follow-up by the authority’s legal team, which it said had adversely affected development and allottees.

Expressing concern over governance issues, committee members criticized the absence of the CDA chairman from a sub-committee meeting despite prior notice, terming it disrespectful to the parliamentary forum.

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The committee recommended a comprehensive inquiry to identify lapses, delays, and responsibility in the legal process related to land acquisition and subsequent development.

Meanwhile, the committee disposed of an assurance regarding delays in the operationalization of sewerage pipelines in Bani Gala after officials confirmed that the system had become functional. Authorities also informed the committee that a PC-I to extend the sewerage network to other areas of Bani Gala had been submitted to the Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) for approval.

The committee also disposed of an assurance given by the minister for communications on overcharging by vendors on motorways, after the National Highways Authority presented documentary evidence of action taken against violators.

While discussing an assurance by the minister for information concerning the payment of minimum wages, the committee accepted the ministry’s response but directed that minimum salaries must also be ensured for workers employed through outsourced services.

In addition, the committee reviewed an assurance by the minister for federal education regarding the non-provision of laptops to students of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). 

The committee directed the ministry to create a special quota for students from erstwhile tribal areas under the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme. Officials informed the meeting that distribution had commenced, with 1,800 laptops already provided to AIOU students.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Raja Qamarul Islam, Shahida Rehmani, Hameed Hussain, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, Sofia Saeed Shah, Natasha Daultana, Shagufta Jumani, and Agha Rafiullah, along with secretaries of relevant ministries and senior government officials.