ISLAMABAD: An individual has been allocated 22 plots by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) under suspicious circumstances, according to the recently released audit report for 2023-24, Dawn News reported.
The CDA, which typically requires extensive documentation for even the smallest plot allotments, did not raise any objections when this individual, who changed both his and his father’s names, received the large number of plots, the report noted.
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The person in question was awarded 22 plots from a total of 84 kanals of land acquired by the CDA in Sector D-13. The audit highlighted that the CDA’s Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Regulation 2007, which governs land-sharing arrangements, mandates that a developed one-kanal plot is allocated for every four kanals acquired.
According to the audit, Mohammad Akhtar Tahir, the original landowner, owned 88 kanals and six marlas. However, he changed his name to Mohammad Azhar s/o Mirza Mohammad Ali and requested the allotment under this new identity, which was approved by the CDA. The audit noted that the allotment was based solely on the new national identity card (CNIC) without updating corresponding land records or verifying educational and personal documents.
The audit report flagged the allotment as dubious due to the lack of matching changes in land revenue records, which still listed the ownership under the original name. The report estimates the value of these 22 plots at Rs 440 million (22 plots at Rs 20 million each), raising concerns about the legitimacy of the process.
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The CDA’s explanation—that a Lahore civil judge had instructed National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) in 2016 to cancel the CNIC under the original name—was deemed inadequate, as supporting documentation was not provided. Additionally, the Departmental Audit Committee did not convene despite multiple requests.
The audit has recommended that the CDA provide a complete case file, including the civil judge’s judgment and details of the name change in the revenue records, to validate the allotment.