In a major step toward ensuring transparency in Islamabad’s real estate sector, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa has directed officials to develop a centralized digital database of all housing and cooperative societies operating within the capital.
The initiative, intended to curb fraudulent practices and improving urban planning, was announced following a high-level meeting on Friday that included senior CDA members and district administration officials.
Goal of the Digital Database
At the heart of this move is a desire to protect citizens from falling victim to fake or unauthorized housing schemes, many of which have mushroomed across the city — especially in its rural zones. With an increasing number of people investing in real estate for future security, the absence of a reliable verification system has often left buyers vulnerable.
“This system will change the way people buy land in Islamabad,” Chairman Randhawa said. “For the first time, citizens will be able to verify the legal status of any society with just a few clicks.”
New digital platform with new layout plans
The new digital platform will compile and display vital information, including layout plans, No Objection Certificates (NOCs), zoning classifications, and the number of plots approved and actually sold by each society. Societies engaged in overselling — offering more plots than they legally own — will be flagged, and legal action will follow.
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The CDA has already made lists of legal and illegal housing societies public on its website, but this upcoming system goes a step further by offering real-time, detailed data, updated regularly and linked directly to the CDA’s planning wing.
“It’s not just about catching violators,” a CDA official claimed. “It’s about creating a transparent system where citizens are empowered and fraudsters can no longer exploit legal loopholes.”
Besides this, the chairman has called for strict action against societies that are violating approved layout plans, operating without CDA approval, or selling plots outside their sanctioned limits. Even construction material suppliers involved with illegal societies may face consequences under the new enforcement mechanism.
Much-needed step towards sustainable urban Growth
Urban planners and civil society groups have shown appreciation for this initiative, calling it a highly needed step toward sustainable urban growth.
“We want a city that grows responsibly,” Randhawa stressed. “This database is not just a tool for enforcement — it’s a strong service for the masses, helping them invest with confidence and shaping a safer, smarter Islamabad for the future.”