Survey of Pakistan negates CDA claim on private land in Zone-III

Islamabad: A report prepared by the Survey of Pakistan, has negated claims of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) about ownership of around 150 kanals of land of village Shah Allah Ditta located in Zone-III of the federal capital.

Over a year back, on directions of then CDA Member Administration, the enforcement wing of the authority had taken over around 150 kanals of land from some private owners in foothills of Margalla and also erected pillars there.

However, following a land survey conducted by Survey of Pakistan, the CDA is now set to return over 140 kanals to the private owners. “Not only that the owners of private land will get back their area but they will also be given additional 27 kanals in the light of survey report,” Zubair Farooq Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI’s) district ameer for Islamabad told newsmen on Thursday. Khalid Bhatti and other land developers running a private housing society were also present on the occasion.

Zubair Farooq said that in the past some elements in CDA and outside the civic body had maligned him that a JI leader was involved in protecting land mafia in Islamabad. However, he said the survey report prepared by Survey of Pakistan had proven CDA’s claims as wrong. “The report has also proven that I have been supporting the right persons,” he said adding the report had been submitted with the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Khalid Bhatti said that in the past the civic body had declined to accept two demarcation reports prepared by the land revenue department of Islamabad administration. “Now the CDA is trying to get FIRs registered cases bearing charges of cutting trees,” he said adding there are bushes and trees on their land which could chop down. He said the Supreme Court would now give the judgement about use of land which falls in Zone-III of the federal capital.