The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is developing a comprehensive digital database of all housing and cooperative societies in Islamabad to combat real estate fraud and improve urban planning.
The decision was announced during a high-level meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa on Friday. The meeting was attended by senior CDA officials and district administration representatives, including Member Planning Dr. Khalid Hafiz, who provided updates on legal actions against unapproved housing schemes.
The planned database will store detailed records of layout plans, No Objection Certificates (NOCs), zoning classifications, and approved versus sold plots for each society. It will pay special attention to societies accused of overselling plots—issuing more files than the land they legally own.
“Every housing and cooperative society under CDA and ICT jurisdiction must be part of a single transparent system,” Randhawa said. “This will enhance regulatory oversight and allow citizens to verify the legal status of societies before investing.”
While CDA already publishes a list of legal and illegal housing societies on its website, the new system will provide more detailed, regularly updated data. Prospective buyers will be able to check if a housing scheme has an approved layout plan, a valid NOC, and operates within legal limits.
Officials say the initiative will empower both the public and enforcement agencies, making it harder for fraudulent housing projects to exploit legal loopholes. Randhawa also instructed CDA to take strict action against societies violating approved plans or selling unapproved plots, including penalties and legal proceedings.
Suppliers of construction materials to illegal housing projects may also face consequences.
This move comes amid a surge in unauthorized housing schemes across Islamabad, particularly in rural zones. Urban planners and citizen groups have welcomed the step as a positive push toward transparency and sustainable development.
“Our objective is not just enforcement but public protection,” Randhawa emphasized. “The database will help citizens make informed decisions and support CDA’s broader mission to develop Islamabad legally and sustainably.”
The database is expected to go live in the coming months and will integrate with the CDA Planning Wing for real-time updates and public access.
