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The ban on property transfers in Islamabad, enforced by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) since January 2024, has been officially lifted. Additional Director Land Affectees, Riaz Khan, confirmed this recent development, overturning the directive initially imposed by the Deputy Director General of Land.
Initially aimed at transactions related to land affectees during the tenure of former Member Estate, Afnan Alam Khan, the ban had cast uncertainty over many prospective buyers. Particularly affected were individuals who had received plots as compensation following land acquisition by the CDA.
While property transfers via open auctions proceeded unhindered, those involving plots allocated to land-affected persons were halted, sparking protests from the Real Estate Agents Association. Despite their advocacy efforts and meetings with CDA officials, including Chairman Captain (retired) Anwar-ul-Haq, the ban persisted.
The association stressed the necessity of targeted measures against malpractice rather than a blanket ban. Consequently, some affected individuals petitioned the Islamabad High Court, prompting a directive for the immediate resumption of property transfers to rightful owners.
Although the CDA has issued a notification lifting the ban, concerns linger among realtors regarding the authority’s motives. Some suspect that the decision was prompted more by court pressure than genuine intent.
The withdrawal of the ban, initially imposed by senior management and revoked by a junior officer like the Additional Director of Land Affectees, casts doubt on the organization’s adherence to court orders.