ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) board on Wednesday discussed the delayed revision of master plan and directed the concerned wing to do more homework on the subject before taking any final decision.

The CDA board meeting, which was presided over by Sohail Ashraf, discussed Islamabad’s master plan besides other agenda items.

Doxiadis Associates, the Greece-based firm that prepared Islamabad’s master plan in 1960, had advised that the plan be revised every 20 years to meet the city’s evolving needs. But till date no proper revision has been carried out.

Board approves summary for procurement of four double-decker buses for promotion of tourism

Sources said the board slightly discussed pending revision of Islamabad’s blue print and asked for procedure and parameters for making changes.

They said it was decided that the CDA’s master plan directorate will do more home work on this subject and the board will review it again.

The revision of the city’s master plan, which has already undergone over 50 selective amendments, has been delayed for decades.

The CDA and the federal government have failed to finalise a proposed commission, which, once notified, will carry out the revision.

The latest summary was moved in February this year with the names of 18 proposed commission members but the outcome has yet to emerge.

Sources said during the last four years, summaries have been sent and resent several times, and the names of proposed commission members have also changed on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the PTI government had formed a commission that carried out some revisions and regularised construction in certain areas, including Banigala, but left the comprehensive revision to international firms to be hired by the CDA.

Later, the tenure of that commission expired, and no new commission has been formed since.

On the other hand, Islamabad is now facing several challenges due to the delay in revising its master plan.

Due to the absence of a proper mechanism to regulate rural areas, particularly private land in Zone III, the city faces serious planning issues.

The city has also witnessed rapid growth in both population and built-up areas. An official said Islamabad’s built-up area expanded significantly between 1990 and 2020, increasing from 2,693 hectares to 18,465 hectares.

The city also saw mushroom growth of both legal and illegal housing schemes and slums.

Meanwhile, the CDA board approved a summary allowing the civic body to procure four double-decker buses for promotion of tourism in Islamabad. It also discussed a summary for hiring a consultant to conduct a feasibility study and engineering design for “world longest” zipline at the Margallas Hills.

The board discussed exemption of taxes and duties on imported goods for new convention centre project and approved hiring of consultancy services for revamping and rehabilitation of Faisal Mosque.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2026