Plots for Sale in Islamabad: F-14/F-15 (FGEHA) vs DHA vs Private Societies

In short

Government sectors such as F-14, F-15 and I-15 offer master-planned plots, but possession has often taken years; F-14 and F-15 development restarted in 2026 after an 11-year gap. DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi is a large gated authority spread across several phases on both sides of the Islamabad-Punjab boundary. Margalla Enclave is a joint CDA-DHA project offering 5 marla, 10 marla and 1 kanal plots on instalment plans. Many projects marketed as "Islamabad" sit outside the capital territory and are approved by the Rawalpindi Development Authority, not CDA. Whatever you buy, confirm the approving authority, the NOC and the layout plan before paying.

If you are searching for a plot for sale in Islamabad, you are choosing between three very different kinds of land: government sectors planned under the city's master plan, DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi, and private housing societies approved (or not) by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) or by authorities in neighbouring Rawalpindi district. Each has a different paper trail, a different timeline to possession and a different risk profile.

This guide explains how the options differ, what is happening in sectors such as F-14 and F-15, and what to verify before you pay a token amount.

Plot sizes: marla, kanal and square feet

Plots are sold in marla and kanal. One kanal is 20 marla. The square footage of a marla is not the same everywhere: the British-era standard still used in much of Pakistan is larger (272.25 sq ft), while buyers and dealers around the capital commonly work on 225 sq ft per marla in Islamabad and many societies, so a 5 marla plot there is usually 1,125 sq ft (25 sq yards per marla). Always ask for the plot dimensions in feet or square yards, not just "5 marla".

CDA and federal sectors: F-14, F-15 and others

F-14 and F-15

F-14 and F-15 are often called "CDA sectors" in listings, but development there is run under the federal Housing Ministry through the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA). According to Zameen News, the two sectors were first launched in 2015, stalled because of administrative and legal challenges, and development formally restarted in February 2026 after an 11-year gap. The work has been given to the National Logistics Corporation and covers about 11,000 residential plots across roughly 10,875 kanals.

An APP report on FGEHA's progress described access roads built in F-14, major work under way in F-15, nullah channelisation and a finalised grid station site. That is real progress, but no completion date has been published, so an "F 14 plot for sale" today is a bet on timelines as much as on location.

What to check: whether you are buying an allotment letter or a balloted plot number, whether the seller is the original allottee, and the transfer procedure and fees at FGEHA before you agree a price.

CDA's own sectors

CDA reported that possession of plots in Sector I-15 began in November 2025 "after decades of delay". The same release said development in C-14 and I-12 was in its final stages, tenders had been issued for C-15, and development works were being tendered in C-16/1 and C-16/2.

CDA sector plots carry the strongest title, because the authority is both planner and seller. The trade-off is that new sectors take a long time to deliver, and resale plots in older sectors are scarce.

DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi

DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi (DHAI-R) is a gated authority that straddles the boundary between Islamabad Capital Territory and Punjab. Its main subdivisions include Phase I, the large Phase II between Potohar Avenue and the Islamabad Expressway, Phase III, Phase IV along the Soan River and Phase V on the Expressway. Defence Valley, launched in 2008 next to Phase II, is reported as being on hold.

For a "DHA Islamabad plot for sale", the key questions are which phase and sector the plot is in, whether the plot is developed with possession, and whether you are buying an allocated plot or a file. DHA transfers go through DHA's own office, so get the plot verified there before you pay.

Margalla Enclave (CDA and DHA)

Margalla Enclave is a joint project of CDA and DHA announced in January 2025. Dawn and APP reported that it offers residential plots of 5 marla, 10 marla and 1 kanal with payment plans of one, two or three years. Allottees confirm their plot by paying the first instalment, and possession is given after the final instalment is cleared.

Because it is backed by two public authorities, buyers often treat it as lower risk than private schemes. Still check the allotment letter, the instalment schedule and the transfer rules before buying from a reseller.

Private housing societies

Private societies fill the gap between slow government sectors and the price of established areas. In Islamabad Capital Territory, private developers need CDA approval; outside the territory, approval comes from Punjab authorities such as the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA).

Faisal Hills is one example of a project often grouped with Islamabad. It lies on GT Road in the Taxila area, about 29 km from Zero Point, and ProPakistani's project page lists it as approved by RDA for about 11,823 kanal. That makes it a Rawalpindi-district project, so CDA's lists will not cover it.

CDA has also been acting against illegal schemes. In May 2026 it sealed the offices of two unapproved societies in Zone IV and said buying and selling plots in illegal schemes is prohibited. The authority advises buyers to invest only in CDA-approved schemes and to check status and approved layout plans on www.cda.gov.pk.

Checklist before you pay

1. Identify the approving authority (CDA, RDA or another body) and check its current list.
2. Ask to see the NOC and the approved layout plan, and match your plot number to the plan.
3. Confirm the seller's ownership in the society's or authority's records.
4. Get the full transfer cost in writing, including fees and taxes.
5. Prefer developed plots with possession if you need certainty.

Prices are indicative as of October 2026. Plot prices vary widely by sector, phase and corner or park-facing position, so compare several current listings and confirm with the authority's transfer office before you settle on a price.

For area-by-area coverage, see more Islamabad property guides.

Frequently asked questions

Is F-14 a CDA sector?

Listings often call it one, but development in F-14 and F-15 is carried out by the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority under the Housing Ministry. Development restarted in 2026 after an 11-year gap.

How many marla in 1 kanal?

One kanal is 20 marla. Around Islamabad a marla is commonly taken as 225 sq ft, but the older standard used in much of Pakistan is 272.25 sq ft, so always confirm the dimensions.

Is Faisal Hills in Islamabad?

Faisal Hills is on GT Road near Taxila, outside Islamabad Capital Territory. Its approval is listed as coming from the Rawalpindi Development Authority, not CDA.

What plot sizes are available in Margalla Enclave?

Margalla Enclave offers 5 marla, 10 marla and 1 kanal residential plots, with payment plans of one to three years, according to Dawn and APP.

How do I check if a housing society in Islamabad is legal?

Check the society's status and approved layout plan on the CDA website and ask the developer for its NOC. CDA has warned that buying plots in unapproved schemes is prohibited.

Sources

1. Zameen News: Development in F-14, F-15, PC-1 in works for F-12, G-12 zameen.com
2. APP: FGEHA development work in sectors F-14, F-15 picks up pace app.com.pk
3. CDA: CDA accelerates sector development; possession of plots begins in Sector I-15 cda.gov.pk
4. Dawn: CDA collaborates with DHA to launch Margalla Enclave dawn.com
5. APP: CDA, DHA launch Margalla Enclave in Islamabad's residential landscape app.com.pk
6. Wikipedia: Defence Housing Authority, Islamabad en.wikipedia.org
7. ProPakistani ProProperty: Faisal Hills propakistani.pk
8. The News: CDA launches crackdown against illegal housing societies in Zone IV thenews.pk
9. Wikipedia: Marla (unit) en.wikipedia.org
10. Zameen Forum: Key to Islamabad plot measurements zameen.com