The Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly (NA) revealed 143 housing societies operating in Islamabad without Capital Development Authority (CDA) approval.
A meeting chaired by Tariq Fazal Chaudhry reviewed audit objections from 2003‑2004 to 2019‑2020, including misuse of 27.3 million allocated for judicial and administrative complexes.
Officials explained Pakistan Public Works Department paid contractors for the ITC complex in 1993, but transferred responsibility to CDA without refunding the previously disbursed funds.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) representatives informed the committee that courts must issue further trial notices, leading members to defer the matter for future proceedings and review.
Audit authorities highlighted the construction of Ghori Town as illegal, stating CDA approval was never granted, while Chaudhry emphasized similar violations existed across multiple housing projects.
CDA Chairman confirmed 143 societies were selling plots without authorization, adding digitization with SUPARCO and Survey of Pakistan was underway, with 45 villages already computerized.
He accepted CDA staff responsibility, citing 12,000 employees, and pledged progress updates, emphasizing digitization as the sustainable solution for unauthorized housing schemes.
Committee member Rana Qasim Noon urged immediate action against Bahria Town, while Tariq Fazal Chaudhry raised concerns about investor losses and government challenges from One Constitution project.
Chaudhry stated Islamabad was not an experimental ground for unregulated ventures, warning unauthorized housing societies had become a major issue requiring urgent government oversight and accountability.
The committee directed CDA to submit monthly reports, ensuring continuous monitoring of unauthorized housing societies and progress on digitization efforts to regulate the property sector in Islamabad.
