ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (Bureau) has initiated a high-level scrutiny of real estate projects in the federal capital following revelations that the layout plan for the high-profile One Constitution Avenue project was not utilized for its original intended purpose.
The investigation marks a significant escalation in the government’s efforts to regulate Islamabad’s luxury real estate sector.
Reports gathered from Islamabad based jorno indicate that the land, originally leased for a five-star hotel and serviced apartments, was instead used for the construction of over 250 residential apartments—a direct violation of the initial adoption agreement. In response to these findings, NAB, in collaboration with national regulatory bodies, has launched a formal exercise to audit the files of all similar mega-projects.
The objective, reports say, is to identify developers who have deviated from approved master plans, ensuring that commercial or public-use land has not been illegally converted for private residential gain.
A spokesperson for the regulatory authorities stated that this scrutiny is essential to maintaining the integrity of Islamabad’s urban planning and protecting the interests of the state and the public.
Apparently in yet another move to restore the “state writ,” a substantial portion of the project’s land is being transferred back to the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Under the law, land that was earmarked in the original layout for public amenities—including schools, parks, and university facilities—must be utilized strictly for those purposes.
The transfer ensures that:
Government Oversight: Land titles are being moved to the government’s name to prevent unauthorized commercialization.
Community Restoration: Areas designated for public welfare will be reclaimed to provide the infrastructure promised in the city’s master plan.
Legal Compliance: The CDA is taking possession of these segments to rectify the misuse of public land that occurred during the development phase.
It is pertinent to mention here that these all developments follow a detailed judgment by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which recently upheld the CDA’s decision to cancel the lease of One Constitution Avenue due to “material and willful default” and layout violations.
While the court ruled that buyers of the luxury apartments do not hold valid ownership rights against the CDA, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a high-level committee to review the matter and ensure that the requirements of justice are met for all stakeholders.
