Pakistan Recovers Rs66 Billion Worth of Land from Housing Societies in Anti-Corruption Drive

Key facts

• NAB transferred 5,484.76 kanals from Gulberg Residencia and 999 kanals from Margalla View D-17 to CDA.
• Recovered land valued at approximately Rs66 billion, including Rs41 billion under DC rates and Rs25.43 billion market value.
• Transfer supervised by NAB Islamabad/Rawalpindi Director General Waqar Ahmed Chauhan.
• Civil Employees Housing Society case, pending for 31 years, regularized as part of the operation.
• Over 4,793 kanals of public and amenity land already legally transferred via mutation.
• Another 4,500 kanals from additional housing societies expected to be transferred in coming weeks.
• Mutation of over 2,500 kanals currently under process.

Landmark Enforcement Action Recovers Thousands of Kanals

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has completed a major enforcement action in Islamabad, transferring thousands of kanals of amenity and public utility land from two housing societies to the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The recovered land, valued at around Rs66 billion, marks a significant step in addressing long-standing irregularities in private housing developments. The operation targeted Gulberg Residencia and Margalla View housing societies, where land originally reserved for parks, schools, hospitals, and other public welfare facilities had been allegedly delayed, illegally occupied, or misused. Officials described the transfer as a “landmark enforcement milestone” in a ceremonial handover event.

First Phase Transfers Over 6,400 Kanals

During the first phase, authorities transferred 5,484.76 kanals from Gulberg Residencia and 999 kanals from Margalla View D-17 to CDA. The total transferred land amounts to approximately 6,483.76 kanals, with an assessed value of Rs41 billion under DC rates and an estimated market value of Rs25.43 billion for public utility land. The process was conducted under the direct supervision of NAB Islamabad/Rawalpindi Director General Waqar Ahmed Chauhan, in coordination with CDA, the Islamabad Revenue Department, and the administrations of the housing societies. The entire transfer was executed within legal and regulatory frameworks.

Decades-Old Irregularities Rectified

Officials stated that the action was taken to rectify “deep-rooted irregularities” involving delayed handovers, illegal occupation, and misuse of land. Several cases that had been pending for decades were regularized, including the Civil Employees Housing Society case, which remained unresolved for nearly 31 years. NAB said the recovered land had originally been designated for public welfare, but administrative delays led to encroachments and illegal practices, including “china cutting” — a term referring to unauthorized excavation or cutting of land. The bureau emphasized that the recovered land will now be used for its intended public purposes.

Further Transfers Expected in Coming Weeks

Authorities confirmed that another 4,500 kanals from additional housing societies are expected to be transferred to CDA in the coming weeks. So far, approximately 4,793 kanals of public and amenity land across multiple housing schemes have already been legally transferred through mutation in favor of the regulator. Additionally, mutation of over 2,500 kanals is currently under process, indicating that the enforcement drive is ongoing. More housing society cases are reportedly in advanced stages of completion, suggesting a sustained effort to recover misused land.

Broader Implications for Urban Development

The recovery of such a large tract of land, valued at billions of rupees, underscores the scale of irregularities in Islamabad’s housing sector. The action by NAB signals a tightening of oversight on private housing developments, which have often been criticized for failing to deliver promised amenities and encroaching on public land. For CDA, the transfer restores control over land that was meant for public benefit, potentially enabling the development of much-needed infrastructure and facilities. The move also serves as a deterrent to other housing societies that may be in violation of their commitments.

Outlook: Continued Scrutiny and Recovery

With thousands more kanals expected to be transferred and mutations under process, the anti-corruption drive shows no signs of slowing. The regularisation of decades-old cases, such as the Civil Employees Housing Society, highlights the persistence of systemic issues that have plagued land management in the capital. As NAB continues its enforcement actions, the focus will likely remain on ensuring that recovered land is utilized for public welfare and that future housing developments comply with regulations. The success of this initiative could set a precedent for similar efforts across the country.

The bottom line

• NAB recovered over 6,400 kanals of land valued at Rs66 billion from Gulberg Residencia and Margalla View housing societies.
• The land was originally reserved for public amenities like parks, schools, and hospitals but was illegally occupied or misused.
• The operation was supervised by NAB DG Waqar Ahmed Chauhan and involved multiple government agencies.
• A 31-year-old case of the Civil Employees Housing Society was regularized as part of the drive.
• Another 4,500 kanals are expected to be transferred soon, with 2,500 kanals already under mutation process.