CDA News, October 2026: 14 Illegal Schemes Sealed, E-12 Timeline, Hotel Plots Unsold

In short

CDA posted sealing notices for seven illegal schemes on 25 September and seven more on 9 October, mostly in Zone 4 along Lehtrar, Simly Dam and Kirpa roads and in Bani Gala. On 5 October, CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf said E-12 development would be completed "in the next six months" and that more than 1,000 kanals had been recovered. No hotel plot sold at the 12 October auction. The reserve was Rs1.9 million per square yard, and the only offer was Rs5,000 above it. The petrol pump auction was reportedly cancelled. Before buying in any private scheme, check CDA's illegal list and its approved list for NOC status.

CDA news this month has three threads that matter to property buyers in Islamabad. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has ordered the sealing of offices at 14 illegal housing schemes since late September. It has promised to finish developing sector E-12 within six months. And its auction of five hotel plots on 12 October ended without a single sale. Here is what happened, with the official notices and reports behind each item, and what it means if you are buying.

Offices of 14 illegal schemes sealed

CDA's public notices page lists sealing orders for the "site/management offices" of these schemes:

25 September 2026

• Al-Nafees Town, off Lehtrar Road, Zone 4
• Mufti Mehmood Enclave, off Lehtrar Road, Zone 4
• Royal Homes/Residencia, off Lehtrar Road, Zone 4
• Royal City, off Lehtrar Road, Zone 4
• Rawal Enclave, Kuri Road, Zone 4
• Yar Muhammad Town, Bani Gala, Zone 4
• J.J. Housing Society, Bani Gala, Zone 4

9 October 2026

• Green Fields, Simly Dam Road, Zone 4/D
• Islamabad Farms, Simly Dam Road, Zone 4/D
• Capital Hills, Karor Road, Zone 4/D
• Kiyani Town, Kirpa Road, Zone 4/D
• Saif Garden Housing Scheme, Ali Pur Farash, Zone 4/D
• Babar Enclave, Bani Gala, Zone 4
• Safa Homes, Tumair, Lehtrar Road, Zone 4/D

The Nation reported on 1 October that the first group had started development "without an approved layout plan or CDA's NOC", that CDA had earlier issued notices and show-cause notices, and that sponsors were told to stop marketing, sales and plot allotments. The same 9 October batch on CDA's site also includes show-cause notices under Sections 49-C, 46 and 46-B of the CDA Ordinance 1960. Earlier in September, CDA posted similar sealing notices for Baqir Shah Housing Scheme, Blue Enclave, Green Homes/Valley and Al-Amin Garden Phase I.

E-12: a six-month promise

Sector E-12 was planned decades ago, and allottees have waited about four decades to build, according to 24NewsHD. On 5 October, Chairman Sohail Ashraf said CDA is "all set to complete development of this sector in the next six months", adding that "more than 1,000 kanals have been recovered" from encroachment.

The headline of that report speaks of possession within six months. The chairman's quoted words are about completing development. Allottees should wait for a formal possession notice from CDA.

For context, Dawn reported on 17 June that about 1,500 plots in three E-12 sub-sectors were ready, that "there is no sign of development in E-12/4", and that electricity and water had not yet been provided in E-12, I-12 or C-14. Most plots in C-14 and I-12 were then about 90% developed.

Hotel plots: five offered, none sold

CDA announced an open auction on 12 October at the Jinnah Convention Centre for five hotel plots, in D-12 Markaz, two in F-5/1, the E-11 Northern Strip and on Srinagar Highway. The terms included payment over one year, building plan approval after 25% payment, and a 5% rebate for paying in full within 30 days. A separate auction of seven petrol pump sites on 20-year leases was set for 13 October for registered oil marketing companies, with token money of Rs25 million (CDA and APP).

The result, according to The News (13 October): CDA failed to sell any of the five plots. "Only five parties participated", and against a reserve of Rs1.9 million per square yard "there was only one offer", Rs5,000 above the reserve. One investor told the paper the reserve "should not be above Rs1.3 million per square yards". ProPakistani reported that CDA rejected that offer for lack of competition and cancelled the petrol pump auction. We found no CDA statement on the result.

Prices are indicative as of October 2026.

What this means for buyers

• Zone 4 needs extra care. Most of the sealed schemes are along Lehtrar, Simly Dam, Karor and Kirpa roads and in Bani Gala. Check any scheme there before paying a token.
• Sealed offices are a red flag. If a scheme's office has been sealed, it has been told to stop selling. Plots sold after that face obvious risk.
• Government sectors take time. E-12's history shows how long CDA sectors can take. Factor in utilities, not just possession.

How to check a housing scheme with CDA

1. CDA illegal list: cda.gov.pk/illegal-housing-schemes. Search by name and location.
2. CDA approved list: cda.gov.pk/housing-schemes shows each registered scheme's layout plan (LOP) and NOC status. An approved layout plan is not the same as an NOC. A sponsor should have an NOC before selling.
3. Public notices: cda.gov.pk/publicNotices lists sealing orders and show-cause notices with dates.
4. Plot on the plan: ask for the approved layout and check that your plot number is on it.

Our full checklist is in CDA approved vs illegal housing societies. For prices, see plots for sale in Islamabad, and for G-13 and G-14 owners, our post on the FGEHA and MCI property tax dispute. More: Islamabad property guides.

Frequently asked questions

Which illegal housing schemes did CDA seal in October 2026?

CDA's notices of 9 October list Green Fields, Islamabad Farms, Capital Hills, Kiyani Town, Saif Garden, Babar Enclave and Safa Homes. Seven others were listed on 25 September, including Al-Nafees Town, Royal City and Rawal Enclave.

When will E-12 plots get possession?

CDA's chairman said on 5 October that development would be completed within six months. Wait for a formal possession notice from CDA.

Did CDA's hotel plot auction succeed?

No. The News reported that none of the five plots sold on 12 October. The only offer was Rs5,000 per square yard above the Rs1.9 million reserve.

How do I check if an Islamabad housing scheme is legal?

Check CDA's illegal list, then its approved list for the scheme's NOC status, and the public notices page for any sealing or show-cause notice.

Is an approved layout plan enough to buy?

No. CDA's list shows layout plan and NOC status separately. Look for an issued NOC before buying.

Sources

1. CDA: Public notices, sealing of site/management offices of illegal schemes (25 September and 9 October 2026) cda.gov.pk
2. The Nation: CDA moves to seal offices of illegal housing schemes in Islamabad (1 October 2026) nation.com.pk
3. 24NewsHD: CDA to give possession of plots to E-12 sector allottees within six months (5 October 2026) 24newshd.tv
4. Dawn: CDA moves to start process for handover of plots in three sectors (17 June 2026) dawn.com
5. CDA: CDA announces open auctions for prime hotel and petrol pump sites in Islamabad (October 2026) cda.gov.pk
6. APP: CDA to auction five hotel, seven petrol pump sites (7 October 2026) app.com.pk
7. The News: CDA fails to attract investors for hotel plots (13 October 2026) thenews.pk
8. ProPakistani: CDA cancels auction for petrol pump sites after poor response to hotel plots sale (14 October 2026) propakistani.pk
9. CDA: Illegal housing schemes list cda.gov.pk
10. CDA: Private housing schemes, LOP and NOC status cda.gov.pk