Islamabad Capital Territory

More than one million acres acquired for the development and settlement of Punjab’s Thal region have come under investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). A comparison of official land acquisition notifications and revenue records has revealed a discrepancy of 552,602 acres across five districts: Layyah, Kot Addu, Bhakkar, Mianwali and Khushab.
According to media reports, land acquisition notifications show that 1,016,007 acres were acquired for the Thal Development Authority (TDA). The Board of Revenue’s records list 507,688 acres, while deputy commissioners’ records collectively show 463,405 acres. The difference between the notified area and the district records amounts to 552,602 acres. A report published in September also cited a discrepancy of around 552,000 acres in the NAB inquiry, although its figures for the total area differed slightly. The investigation covers alleged illegal adjustments of state land, questionable claims to the right of return, possible manipulation of records and transfers of land to private claimants or government departments. According to reports, complete records for three revenue estates in Kot Addu are unavailable, while records for five estates in Bhakkar are also reportedly missing. In Layyah, acquisition notifications list 566,360 acres, but the area shown in various revenue entries does not match that figure. Investigators are also examining alleged land adjustments made through forged files and transfers based on purported “RL-II” claims. Details published in September alleged that around 23,000 acres had been adjusted through fake “Nathi Bai” files. Of that area, 5,000 acres were reportedly transferred back to the TDA in government records. The same report said 6,100 acres had been transferred on the basis of alleged fake RL-II claims, which the Board of Revenue had declared bogus. A recent report, citing NAB records, said more than 22,500 acres had been resumed or transferred to the government in three districts, with an estimated value of around Rs 95 billion. Earlier, on September 25, NAB Multan and the district administration restored 3,831 acres in Kot Addu to the TDA, with an estimated value of about Rs 8 billion. The related land mutations were cancelled. NAB said the process was carried out with care to protect the rights of lawful owners and genuine claimants. The Thal Development Act, 1949 empowers the authority to frame development schemes and acquire land in accordance with the law. It also provides a process for objections to proposed acquisitions. NAB and revenue officials are now reviewing records relating to the historical acquisition of land, right-of-return claims and subsequent transfers.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has introduced new procedures for verifying plot files and processing property-related applications, directing officials to avoid checks that lack clear justification and cause delays for applicants.

An official notification issued by the Office of the Member (Estate) on November 5 said the Land and Rehabilitation Directorate had initiated plot file verification in some cases without sufficient grounds. The CDA said this practice could delay case processing and cause inconvenience to applicants. Under the new directions, verification of a plot file’s genuineness may only be initiated after prior approval from the Director General (Land and Estate Management).

The notification also directs the director general to set and publicise clear timelines for completing plot file verifications, processing applications for No Demand Certificates (NDCs) and handling other property-related matters at the relevant desks. The CDA said files should preferably not remain pending at any single desk for more than three days. The measures are intended to improve administrative efficiency, ensure cases are decided on time and reduce avoidable delays in the Estate Wing.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised property valuation rules for rural areas of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and issued a new schedule of fair market values for immovable property in Abbottabad. The changes were notified on November 5, 2026, through two separate statutory regulatory orders (SROs). Under SRO 2061(I)/2026, the FBR amended SRO 644(I)/2026, issued on April 16, to link valuations in ICT’s rural areas to the latest rates notified by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue)/District Collector, Islamabad. The change means the applicable values will follow the collector’s updated rate tables rather than a fixed federal schedule. Through SRO 2060(I)/2026, issued under Section 68 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the FBR replaced the Abbottabad valuation schedule notified in SRO 1679(I)/2024 on October 29, 2024. Under the revised Abbottabad schedule, residential open plots in Main Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar, Jinnah Masjid Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Gurdwara Gali and Kutcheri Road are valued at Rs 1.25 million per marla. The rate for Abbottabad Bazaar is Rs 970,000 per marla, while residential plots on Iqbal Road are valued at Rs 800,000 per marla. Commercial open plots in Main Bazaar and adjoining specified areas have been assigned the highest rate in the schedule, at Rs 5.8 million per marla. Commercial property in Abbottabad Bazaar is valued at Rs 4.4 million per marla, while the rate for Mansehra Road, from Fawara Chowk to Mian Gi Hotel, is Rs 4 million per marla. Other commercial rates include Rs 3.1 million per marla for Jinnahabad, and Rs 3 million for Havelian Bazaar and Nathia Gali Main Road. College Road Mandian, Old College Road Mandian, Comsats Road, Murree Road and Changla Gali have been valued at Rs 2.5 million per marla.