With months of anti-encroachment operations carried out by CDA in different areas of Islamabad, the results have left people speechless. CDA was able to recover 1,141 acres of encroached land from Islamabad, adding billions of rupees to the legal system. This has led to major governance outcomes in the real estate market.
This article will explain the details of encroached land recovered and the different areas targeted.
The Anti-Encroachment Operations
Islamabad was specifically planned to be the capital of Pakistan, making it the best planned and managed city of the country. However, for decades, the city has been facing a slow poisoning of illegal land grabbing by the “Qabza Mafia.” The issue has remained persistent with less governmental attention.
In light of this issue, CDA launched a massive anti-encroachment campaign against illegal settlers and occupiers in different areas of Islamabad. In this drive, 6 operations were conducted. The 6 major areas were targeted, which are:
- Islamabad National Park
- Noor Pur Shahan
- G.T. Road, Islamabad Expressway, and Sirinagar Highway
- Diplomatic Enclave
- 1-12, Tarnol and Sagjani
- Illegal Housing Schemes
Encroached Land Recovery
In the National Assembly, Federal Interior Minister Senator Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi stated the progress made by CDA in anti-encroachment operations. The Interior Minister stated that a total of 1,141 acres of encroached land was recovered by the CDA in Islamabad in a period of 2 years. The goal of the operations was to carry out the strict implementation of Islamabad’s Master Plan for effective management of city resources.
| Area / Location | Land Recovered | Nature of Operation | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noorpur Shahan | 612 Acres | Largest anti-encroachment operation | 3,500 households relocated; illegal holiday homes, rental farmhouses, and commercial ventures dismantled |
| GT Road, Islamabad Expressway, Srinagar Highway, & Potohar Avenue | ~110 Acres (900+ Kanals) | Right-of-way clearance operation | Encroachments removed along major road corridors, including Tarnol and Rawat stretches |
| Diplomatic Enclave & Surrounding Areas | ~94 Acres | Multi-phase land recovery | Operations conducted in the Muslim Colony and adjoining green belt areas |
| Islamabad National Park (Saidpur Area) | 40 Acres (320 Kanals) | Environmental and heritage protection operation | First major anti-encroachment operation in over a decade; land reserved for restoration and plantation |
| Margalla Town | 11 Acres | Urban sector recovery operation | Illegal occupation removed from residential urban land |
| Rawal Town | 7 Acres | Urban enforcement operation | State land reclaimed from encroachments and unauthorized occupation |
Anti-Encroachment Campaigns Methods
CDA in their drive to curb illegal land grabbing and illegal settlers that have been occupying government land and other peoples’ property. This not only creates social injustice but also results in mismanagement of utilities and services on mass-scale. The Anti-Encroachment Campaign has been conducted for the past 2 years to deal with this nemesis. For this specialized methods and technology was deployed to yield better results. These methods include:
- Satellite Data: CDA made the use of SUPARCO’s satellite Data to determine Illegal land activity by comparing it to 1960’s master plan.
- Going by the process: Before any operation due process was carried out by issuing public notices and dealing with legal claims after which action was taken.
- Legal Structures: CDA conducted all actions to enforce multiple legal structures available such as CDA Ordinance 1960, ICT Zoning Regulations 1992 and 2011 Supreme Court's verdict that all state land should be owned by the government.
- Enforcement: The enforcement of laws is carried out with strict ground operation.
- Monitoring: The area cleared was constantly monitored through drones and satellite data. The data was used to monitor any future recurrence of illegal occupation.
The rigorous anti-encroachment campaign carried out by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for the last 2 years has generated significant results. The Federal Minister of Interior Mohsin Naqvi briefed the National Assembly that CDA was able to recover 1,141 acres of land in different areas of Islamabad such as Islamabad National Park, Noor Pur Shahan, G.T. Road, Islamabad Expressway, and Sirinagar Highway, Diplomatic Enclave, 1-12, Tarnol and Sagjani, Illegal Housing Schemes. Land recovered from these areas have been worth millions of rupees which were freed from illegal occupiers and land grabbers.