CDA approves Islamabad Rehabilitation Regulations 2024

Islamabad:At its 16th Board meeting on Wednesday, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) approved the Islamabad Rehabilitation Regulations 2024, marking a significant shift in policies related to land and Built-Up Property (BUP) acquisition within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The new regulations revise existing rehabilitation practices following a recent ruling from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

This policy overhaul comes in response to an October 30 decision by Justice Babar Sattar, in which the court directed CDA to discontinue its previous compensation practices. The court found the practice of awarding plots and BUPs as compensation for land acquisition inconsistent with the CDA Ordinance, 1960. The court's detailed verdict emphasized that CDA must stop issuing separate awards for land and BUP acquisition and cease allotting plots as compensation, recommending instead that compensation should reflect market value at the time of acquisition.

Under the newly approved Islamabad Rehabilitation Regulations, 2024, affectees will receive monetary compensation rather than plots for their acquired land and properties, aligning with the CDA Ordinance, 1960's directive for fair, market-based compensation.

Additionally, the CDA Board used its authority under the Ordinance to initiate further organizational reforms. It approved the restructuring of the Directorate of Emergency and Disaster Management and 1122 Emergency Service, placing them under the newly created Director General Capital Emergency Services. Plans to recruit skilled professionals on a contractual basis were also endorsed to enhance operational efficiency. During the meeting, CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa instructed the board to expedite the promotion process for deserving officers and other employees. The Board also resolved to strengthen the IT Directorate, approving the hiring of a cybersecurity firm on a running contract to safeguard the authority's digital infrastructure. Further recruitment of skilled IT professionals was also sanctioned to bolster the agency's technical capabilities.