CDA Auction in Islamabad: How Bidding, Payment and Possession Work, and the 2026 Results

In short

You need a token (a pay order of Rs5 million to Rs100 million, depending on the plot) to bid. A losing token is returned or used again; a winning one counts towards your first payment. A winning bid is not final until the CDA Board approves it. The brochure says the Board decides within 20 working days. For a commercial plot, you pay 25% within 30 days of the Board's letter, then three instalments of 25% at 4, 8 and 12 months. Miss the first 25% and the token is forfeited, with no restoration. For a commercial plot, possession comes after 75% is paid, with a bank guarantee for the rest. Building plans can be submitted after the first 25%. CDA reported Rs16.44 billion in sales over the first two days of the August 2026 auction. On 4 November 2026, its auction notices page listed no new auction.

A CDA auction is how the Capital Development Authority sells commercial plots, shops and other sites in Islamabad: to the highest bidder, on a lease. This guide explains the rules from CDA's brochure for the 4 to 6 August 2026 auction, then the 2026 results.

How a CDA auction works

The rules below are from CDA's brochure for the August 2026 commercial auction.

What is sold. Commercial plots and Blue Area Parking Plaza shops are offered on leasehold for 33 years, "extendable for another two terms of 33 years each". Plots are sold "AS IS WHERE IS", and the brochure says payment "is neither subject to infrastructure development nor subject to delivery of possession". The site of a plot "shall not be changed on any ground whatsoever at any stage", so see it before you bid. The final price is adjusted to the plot's actual size, measured at possession.

Who can bid. Pakistani nationals, "whether residing in Pakistan or abroad after the provision of valid NICOP"; companies, firms and societies registered in Pakistan; and foreign nationals and companies "after obtaining NOC from the Ministry of interior".

Tokens. Each plot has a token category: Red (Rs100 million), Green (Rs50 million), Purple (Rs30 million), White (Rs20 million) or Black (Rs5 million). You get one from the Auction Cell (Estate Management II), CDA Facilitation Center, G-7/2, with a pay order, an attested copy of your CNIC and the application form in the brochure, or at the venue before bidding starts. A winner needs a new token to bid for another plot.

Bidding. Bids are in rupees per square yard and rise in steps of at least Rs5,000 (shops: Rs2,000 per square foot). The reserve price is announced at the auction.

Board approval. "Auction results shall not be final unless approved by the Board", and the highest bid does not "per se accrue any right" to the bidder. If the Board rejects a bid, CDA returns the token pay order within 20 days of its decision.

Payment schedule, rebates and possession

• Rebates: 5% off the total if you pay in full within a month of the letter, and an extra 5% if you pay the rest in US dollars through a bank within 30 days (both exclude the token, plots only).
• Possession (commercial plots): after 75% is paid, "subject to provision of a valid Bank Guarantee" from a local scheduled bank for the remainder.
• Building: plans can be submitted after the first 25%. The brochure gives 3 years to build on up to 1,000 square yards, 4 years up to 3,000 and 5 years above that.
• Ground rent: Annual Ground Rent is due in advance in the first month of every year, rising 15% every three years or as the Board decides.
• Taxes: collected "on pro-rata basis or as per the applicable Finance Act". The brochure does not list the amounts.

Default, cancellation and transfer

• First 25% not paid in 30 days: the bid is withdrawn, "the token money shall stand forfeited", and "the plot shall not be restored".
• Instalment missed: the acceptance can be withdrawn and the token forfeited. The brochure says that under CDA's Restoration Policy 2014 the bidder can apply for restoration within one year of the cancellation, at the One Window counter, paying a default surcharge and restoration charges.
• Cancellation or surrender: CDA refunds what was paid after forfeiting 10% of the total premium, with no interest.
• Transfer: once the full premium, taxes and dues are paid, the leasehold rights are "transferable on payment of 'Transfer Fee' as fixed by the Authority". The brochure gives no fee amount.

CDA auction results in 2026

August (commercial plots, 4 to 6 August). On the first day CDA reported four plots sold for Rs13,806.87 million: Plot 18, Blue Area, for Rs9,134.65 million; Plot C-1, Blue Area, Rs3,513.32 million; Plot 2, G-6 I&T (Aabpara Market), Rs629.32 million; and Plot 2, G-1, I-9 Markaz, Rs529.575 million. The News (5 August) and ProPakistani (4 August) reported the same totals.

On the second day CDA reported Rs2,630.87 million, including Agro Farm No. 18 on Murree Road for Rs1,212 million, Agro Farm No. 17-A for Rs966 million, and three Parking Plaza shops for between Rs147.71 million and Rs153.63 million each. Its total for two days was Rs16.44 billion. CDA said the bids would go to the Board for approval. We found no CDA release with the third day's result or the Board's decision.

Prices are indicative as of August 2026.

October (hotel plots, 12 October). CDA offered five hotel plots: Plot 22 in D-12 Markaz, two in F-5/1, one in the E-11 Northern Strip and one on Srinagar Highway. The News (13 October) reported that none sold; our CDA news for October has the details and the petrol pump auction that was called off.

On the hotel auction fee: ProPakistani (7 October) reported token money of Rs250 million "for participation" without saying which auction it applied to. CDA's own release of 7 October gives Rs25 million as the token for the petrol pump sites and no figure for the hotel plots, so we could not confirm the hotel token from a CDA document. The same release says overseas bidders could get tokens "at least one day before the auction" and pay through Roshan Digital Accounts.

Is there a CDA auction coming up?

On 4 November 2026, CDA's auction notices page listed no new auction of plots: its "Active Auctions" tab still showed the July 2025 commercial auction notice. We found no CDA release announcing the next one. For the August auction, APP reported the dates on 21 July, two weeks ahead, so check that page and CDA's news releases.

Before you bid

• Read that auction's brochure in full, visit the site, and plan for the first 25% and taxes within 30 days of the Board's letter.
• Buying an auctioned plot from its allottee later? Ask CDA's Estate Management, through One Window, for the plot's dues and transfer record (our CDA plot verification guide lists the checks), and see our check before you pay list.
• For a sale on the open market, the FBR valuation table for Islamabad, the transfer tax calculator and the capital gains tax calculator show the official values and estimate the taxes. More on the city: Islamabad property guides.

Frequently asked questions

CDA auction kab hai? When is the next CDA auction?

On 4 November 2026 CDA's auction notices page listed no new plot auction, and we found no announcement. The last ones were on 4 to 6 August (commercial plots) and 12 October 2026 (hotel plots).

CDA auction mein token money kitni hai?

In the August 2026 brochure, Rs5 million to Rs100 million per plot, by a pay order. A winning token is adjusted in the first payment; a losing one is returned or used for another bid.

What is the CDA hotel plot auction fee?

No CDA document gives one. ProPakistani reported Rs250 million token money without naming the auction it applied to; CDA's release gave Rs25 million for the petrol pump sites and no hotel figure.

Can overseas Pakistanis bid in a CDA plot auction?

Yes, with a valid NICOP, according to the August 2026 brochure. Paying the balance in US dollars through a bank within 30 days earns an extra 5% rebate (plots only).

What if I can't pay after winning?

If the first 25% is not paid within 30 days, the token is forfeited and the plot is not restored. If a later instalment is missed and the plot is cancelled, the brochure lets the bidder apply for restoration within a year of the cancellation, paying a default surcharge and restoration charges.

Sources

1. CDA: Auction brochure, open auction of commercial plots and Blue Area Parking Plaza shops, 4 to 6 August 2026 cda.gov.pk
2. CDA: CDA Commercial Plot Auction Begins; Rs. 13.807 Billion Raised on First Day (4 August 2026) cda.gov.pk
3. CDA: CDA Raises Rs16.44 Billion in Two Days Through Commercial Plot Auction (5 August 2026) cda.gov.pk
4. CDA: CDA announces open auctions for prime hotel and petrol pump sites in Islamabad (7 October 2026) cda.gov.pk
5. CDA: Auction Notices page (read on 4 November 2026) cda.gov.pk
6. APP: CDA to auction commercial plots from August 4 (21 July 2026) app.com.pk
7. ProPakistani: CDA sells 4 plots for Rs 13.8 billion in single day (4 August 2026) propakistani.pk
8. The News: CDA earns Rs13.8bn on first day of plot auction (5 August 2026) thenews.pk
9. ProPakistani: CDA sets Rs. 25 crore participation fee for upcoming event (7 October 2026) propakistani.pk
10. The News: CDA fails to attract investors for hotel plots (13 October 2026) thenews.pk