Single individual gets 22 plots allotted by CDA in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: A recent audit report for 2023-24 has uncovered a suspicious case involving the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Islamabad, where a single individual was allotted 22 residential plots under questionable circumstances.

The report, titled  Doubtful Allotment of 22 Residential Plots, highlights significant procedural lapses potential misconduct, and corruption within the CDA.

The audit revealed that the CDA, which typically requires extensive documentation for plot allotments, approved the allocation of 22 plots to one person without raising objections, despite the individual’s name and father’s name being changed.

The original landowner, Mohammad Akhtar Tahir, son of Mohammad Ashraf Tahir, had his name changed to Mohammad Azhar, son of Mirza Mohammad Ali, as per his new CNIC issued by Nadra.

The CDA granted the allotment under this new identity without verifying the changes in land revenue records, such as the land award, Naqsha-II, and Fard. No educational degrees, certificates, ‘nikahnama,’ or police reports were verified either.

The plots were allotted in exchange for 84 kanals of land acquired by the CDA in Sector D-13, Islamabad.

Additionally, the audit deemed the allotment doubtful due to the lack of an authentic title, and the discrepancy in land revenue records, which still listed the ownership under Mohammad Akhtar.

This resulted in the questionable allotment of 22 plots, valued at approximately Rs440 million, without thorough verification or a fact-finding inquiry.

Moreover, the CDA responded to the audit by claiming that a civil judge in Lahore had directed Nadra to cancel the CNIC issued in the name of Mohammad Akhtar in 2016, and measures were taken to update the revenue records.

However, the audit rejected this response due to the absence of supporting documentation.

The Departmental Audit Committee meeting, which could have addressed these issues, was not convened by the principal accounting officer despite repeated requests.

In addition, the audit has recommended that the CDA must provide the complete case file, including the civil judge’s judgment and details of the name change in the DC, and CDA records, to substantiate the allotment.

In summary, the audit report has raised significant concerns about the CDA’s handling of plot allotments, highlighting the need for thorough verification and fact-finding inquiries to prevent such discrepancies in the future.