ISLAMABAD: It seems the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is not interested in implementing its board’s decision to launch a people-friendly process for providing pre-approved building plans to allottees for house construction.
Almost three years have passed since the CDA Board made the decision, but the civic body has still failed to implement it, with the constant delay raising eyebrows.
“This is strange. Sometimes board decisions are implemented within weeks after the minutes of a board meeting are issued, but in this case, three years are going to pass and the CDA is still using delaying tactics in implementing this decision,” said an official, who wished not to be named.
He said that once the decision was implemented, people would get huge relief and, without visiting the CDA and facing hardship, could select their preferred pre-approved plans for the construction of houses.
Three years on, civic body yet to launch initiative aimed at easing house construction approvals
However, the decision was facing an inordinate delay in its implementation.
“Interior Minister and CDA chairman should take notice of this issue and responsibility should be fixed against those responsible,” the official said.
It is relevant to note that in September 2023, the CDA Board, in a bid to eliminate the cumbersome approval procedure involving multiple departments of the civic agency, decided to introduce pre-approved building plans for citizens.
The board had directed the relevant wing of the CDA to prepare a booklet within eight weeks containing approved plans for various plot sizes.
The booklet was to be made available online so that residents could select a design or plan of their choice with a single click.
However, the booklet, which was supposed to be completed within eight weeks, is still incomplete despite the passage of 144 weeks.
“Yes, we were supposed to have 20 pre-approved plans for each size of plot, but this process is still incomplete,” one of the senior officers of the CDA said.
In September 2023, then CDA Chairman Anwarul Haq had received several complaints regarding delays in the approval of building plans. He had also visited the CDA’s Building Control Directorate to inquire about the matter.
Consequently, he decided to reduce the role of CDA officials.
Therefore, the matter was presented before the CDA Board in September 2023, suggesting the introduction of pre-approved designs to ease the process for citizens.
The board, appreciating the proposal, decided to launch the service within two months. It had also decided that the fee for these pre-approved plans would be determined after consultation with the finance wing.
The pre-approved plans were supposed to be available both on the CDA’s website and on digital screens to be installed in CDA offices.
Last year, there were rumours in the corridors of the CDA that some officials within the authority, allegedly having close ties with private firms, were opposing the initiative. However, the CDA denied the allegations.
When contacted to know the reasons behind the three-year delay, the CDA, in its written response, stated, “CDA is working towards operationalising this initiative. In this connection, Member Planning & Development has directed the Building Control & Housing (BCS) to work out the requisite software and hardware requirements for the system. The complete mechanism for processing pre-approved plans also necessitates fresh recruitment of technical staff to ensure smooth and efficient operation of the facility. CDA is making concerted efforts to implement this decision in the near future with a complete, end-to-end solution, so that citizens may benefit from a streamlined and time-efficient approval process for residential and commercial building plans.”
Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2026
