More Trouble for Bahria Town as CDA slaps notice over Illegal Parks Encroachment
2026-02-11 - 12:56
ISLAMABAD – Bahria Enclave was meant to be peaceful family park and a bustling playground which named in another controversy as Capital Development Authority (CDA) now stepped in, issuing a stern show-cause notice to Malik Riaz owned housing society for allegedly turning public amenity land into commercial property. Capital Development Authority (CDA) issued show-cause notice to Bahria Town (Pvt) Ltd. for allegedly converting land reserved for public amenities into commercial property in Bahria Enclave, Zone-IV. Serious concerns have been raised over reported encroachments on plots earmarked for parks, playgrounds, and open spaces, calling the move a direct violation of approved planning regulations. The notice highlights that layout plan for Bahria Enclave-I, covering 12,543.11 kanals, was approved in December 2020, followed by a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in April 2022 under specific conditions. The land reserved for public amenities was officially transferred to the CDA in October 2022. CDA said family park and multi-purpose playing field on Park Road in Sector-A have allegedly been encroached upon, with a marquee and a restaurant reportedly constructed on the plots for commercial purposes. Such activities, the authority says, contradict the approved layout plan and breach CDA regulations. Bahria Town has been directed to remove alleged violations, restore parks and green spaces according to the approved plan, and submit a compliance report within seven days. The notice also demands written explanation from the developer on why legal action should not be taken under CDA Ordinance 1960, ICT Zoning Regulations 1992, and the 2023 regulations governing private housing and commercial schemes in Islamabad. CDA further warned that failure to comply could lead to the demolition of illegal structures and suspension of land use, with enforcement action potentially involving police intervention. Costs of the operation will be recovered from those responsible, and ex parte proceedings may be initiated in case of non-compliance. The developer has also been offered the option of a personal hearing within seven days. Relevant CDA departments have been instructed to coordinate enforcement measures to ensure public amenity land is cleared of encroachments. NAB Rawalpindi auctioned three of six commercial properties owned by Bahria Town to recover dues under a court-approved plea bargain. Rubaish Marquee sold for Rs500 million, while conditional bids have been received for Corporate Office One and Two. The remaining three properties failed to attract acceptable bids and will be re-auctioned. The auction is part of ongoing efforts to reclaim unpaid amounts from Bahria Town, which has faced multiple legal and financial disputes. Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar revealed that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) uncovered evidence of corruption and money laundering, including illegal funds totaling Rs1.12 billion. Key documents were also seized during an operation, with indications that attempts had been made to destroy records prior to the FIA’s intervention. FBR to auction Bahria Town’s 527 Kanal land to recover taxes