Islamabad Capital Territory

Islamabad : ReNews Pakistan
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has ordered an immediate halt to all development and commercial activities in the Kashmir Gardens Agro-Farming Scheme in Zone-IV of Islamabad, declaring the ongoing work illegal and unauthorised.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Housing Society, the CDA directed that the sale, purchase, transfer and allotment of plots, construction, landscaping, advertising, marketing and all other development activities in the scheme be stopped with immediate effect.

According to the authority, the Kashmir Gardens Agro Farming Scheme has not obtained approval of its layout plan or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the CDA. The authority said development activities being carried out without the required approvals were therefore unauthorised.

The CDA said the scheme’s sponsor had repeatedly failed to provide the documents, information and planning details required for processing the layout plan. The authority warned that if the outstanding deficiencies were not addressed, the society’s request for approval would be treated as disposed of.

The scheme covers land in Mouzas Phag, Panwal and Bhokkar in Zone-IV of Islamabad. The CDA has sought a comprehensive set of documents from the society to determine the legal and planning status of the project.

These documents include ownership records, sanctioned mutations, identity documents of the sponsors, audited financial statements, land possession certificates, contour and khasra plans, a non-encumbrance certificate and a detailed layout plan concept report.

The authority has also directed the society to deposit Rs8.114 million as a scrutiny fee for processing the layout plan.

Alongside the administrative restrictions, the CDA has instructed its Enforcement and Building Control Directorates to take action against illegal buildings and structures within the scheme, including their demolition or removal in accordance with the applicable rules.

The Islamabad administration and police have also been asked to assist the CDA in ensuring compliance with the directives and preventing further unauthorised development or construction activity.

The authority further directed the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to provide utility connections in the scheme only where such connections are supported by CDA-approved layout and building plans.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
Land records and property related services in Islamabad have been fully digitized through a unified digital platform, allowing citizens to access key services online while reducing reliance on traditional paper-based procedures.
The National Information Technology Board (NITB), in collaboration with the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA), has introduced an end-to-end digital system for land records and property services across the federal capital.
The initiative is aimed at improving transparency, efficiency and security in property transactions while creating a more accessible system for citizens dealing with land ownership and registration matters.
Under the new mechanism, citizens can apply for and obtain their official Fard, or land ownership record, through their smartphones or at designated Citizen Facilitation Desks. The digital services are designed to remain available around the clock, providing citizens with an alternative to conventional manual procedures.
The system incorporates NADRA-based CNIC verification, biometric authentication, and one-time password (OTP) security to verify property owners' identities and strengthen protection against fraudulent transactions.
Officials said the verification mechanism is intended to ensure that property transactions are undertaken only after confirmation of the actual owner's identity and consent. The integration of identity verification is also expected to reduce the risk of impersonation, unauthorized alterations and third-party manipulation of land records.
The digitized platform will cover major property-related processes, including property sales, transfers and inheritance-related allocations. Information required for these transactions will be exchanged electronically among the relevant government departments, reducing dependence on physical files and repeated visits to government offices.
Another major feature is real-time tracking of land registry applications. Applicants will be able to monitor the progress of their cases from submission through completion, providing greater visibility into processing stages and helping reduce delays associated with manual procedures.
The authorities have also moved toward a more cashless property transaction system by integrating electronic stamp papers with OneLink for digital payments related to property transfers.
Officials said the broader objective is to establish a faster, more transparent and secure property services framework in Islamabad while limiting opportunities for unauthorized changes and cash-based corruption.
The digitization of land records is part of Islamabad's wider transition toward e-governance and digital public services. The Pak ID Mobile App is also being upgraded to allow citizens to register certain civil events, including births and marriages, remotely.
With the integration of land records, identity verification, digital payments and application tracking, the new system represents a significant shift from paper-based property administration toward a centralized digital framework for real estate and land-related services in the federal capital.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is revamping the regulatory framework for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to make property investment more accessible to ordinary investors and bring a larger share of Pakistan’s estimated Rs 7 trillion real estate sector into regulated capital-market structures.
SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said the proposed reforms are designed to make REITs more commercially viable, investable and accessible, allowing the public to participate in the growth of the real estate market without having to purchase an entire plot, apartment or commercial building.
He made the remarks at a gong ceremony held at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) to mark the listing of the Naya Nazimabad Apartment REIT.
Finance and Revenue Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb attended the ceremony as chief guest, while State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad, senior government officials, PSX representatives and officials from Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited, Javedan Corporation, Central Depository Company and other capital-market institutions were also present. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif participated in the event virtually.
Dr. Sidhu said REITs could play an important role in documenting Pakistan’s real estate sector, improving transparency and creating regulated investment opportunities for a broader segment of the population.
Under the REIT structure, investors can obtain exposure to income-generating or development-oriented real estate through investment units rather than directly purchasing and managing physical property. The model can potentially lower the entry barrier for investors seeking participation in the property market.
The SECP chairman said the Commission was introducing significant reforms and investment facilitation measures for the REIT sector. Amendments to various regulations have been proposed to improve ease of doing business, remove regulatory hurdles and support further development of the market.
He also said proposed amendments to insurance and company laws were currently under consideration by Parliament, while further changes had been proposed to the regulatory framework governing the non-banking financial sector.
Highlighting broader capital market developments, Dr. Sidhu said 13 initial public offerings (IPOs) had raised Rs 26 billion during 2026 so far. Companies from manufacturing, agriculture, real estate, energy and technology sectors have raised capital through the stock market.
According to the SECP chairman, improved access to the capital market has contributed to a 36 percent increase in the number of investors. He said the Commission had also made progress during the past eight months in regulatory reforms, digitalization and market development.
The SECP is continuing to digitalize its regulatory processes and simplify compliance requirements, with improved market access identified as one of its key priorities.
Dr. Sidhu said the regulator was enforcing applicable laws to strengthen market transparency and investor protection while facilitating legitimate businesses, innovation and sustainable growth.
The latest REIT reforms come as policymakers seek to expand formal investment channels for Pakistan’s property sector and increase the role of capital markets in mobilizing funds for real estate development.
Clarify the reform status