Islamabad Capital Territory

ISLAMABAD | Re News Pakistan

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman, Sohail Ashraf, has directed officials to accelerate construction work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East Project and ensure its timely completion while maintaining high quality standards in accordance with approved designs.

On October 12, 2026, the CDA chairman visited the project site to review the progress and quality of ongoing development work. He was briefed on completed work, current construction activities and the next phases of the project.

Ashraf described the Islamabad Expressway East Project as an important initiative for improving road connectivity, reducing traffic congestion and strengthening the capital’s road network. He directed the relevant officials to ensure strict compliance with approved designs, technical specifications and construction standards.

He also emphasised regular field monitoring, effective quality control and proper traffic management throughout the construction process to minimise inconvenience for commuters. The Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Islamabad, the concerned assistant commissioner and CDA officials were also present during the visit.

The chairman was subsequently briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against illegal construction, unauthorised commercial activities and violations of land-use and building-control regulations along Islamabad Expressway East.

The operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Directorate of Enforcement in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad Police.

According to the briefing, a total of 377 buildings and other structures, including 281 commercial properties, have been identified for enforcement action. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, including 34 in Sohan Iqbal Town and 24 in the areas of Korang Bridge, Korang Police Station and Gulberg Greens.

In addition, 124 structures between Sohan and Khanna Pul have been identified for demolition, and demolition operations are underway.

The violations include unauthorised construction, non-conforming land use, construction without approved plans and failure to meet mandatory fire-safety requirements. Notices were served on the owners and occupants concerned, followed by enforcement action against those who failed to rectify the violations within the prescribed period.

Officials informed the CDA chairman that Rs250,590,157, equivalent to approximately Rs250.59 million, had been recovered during the enforcement operation. The amount was collected through land-use conversion charges, penalties related to unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges.

The recoveries were made from various properties, including commercial buildings, shopping plazas, hospitals, marriage halls and other business establishments.

According to officials, approximately Rs3 billion remains recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion charges, unauthorised construction and violations involving mandatory building setbacks, Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and covered areas.

Ashraf directed the relevant departments to ensure strict, consistent and uninterrupted enforcement of building-control regulations, land-use rules and mandatory fire-safety standards.

He made it clear that illegal construction and activities inconsistent with approved land use would not be allowed to undermine planned development, public safety or the orderly expansion of Islamabad.

The CDA said its ongoing development and enforcement initiatives aim to improve road infrastructure, strengthen traffic management, enhance urban planning and ensure public safety across the capital.

The chairman reaffirmed his commitment to accelerating development projects, maintaining high construction standards and ensuring compliance with planning and building regulations. He said efforts would continue to provide Islamabad’s residents with modern infrastructure and improved public facilities.

According to the statement, citizens and commuters have welcomed the CDA’s efforts to improve the road network, facilitate mobility and strengthen enforcement of construction regulations.

Islamabad | Re News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD The Capital Development Authority (CDA) failed to sell five hotel plots during its commercial property auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on October 12, 2026. Investor participation remained limited, with participants describing the reserve prices set by the authority as commercially unviable.

Only five parties took part in the bidding for the hotel plots. According to investors, the reserve price of approximately Rs1.9 million per square yard was financially impractical for hotel development projects. One participating investor reportedly considered Rs1.3 million per square yard a more reasonable and commercially viable price.

Reports indicate that only one bid exceeded the reserve price by Rs5,000 per square yard. However, despite this offer, none of the plots could be sold.

The five sites offered for auction included a 5,274-square-yard hotel plot in D-12 Markaz; two large plots measuring 21,777 and 18,055 square yards in F-5/1; a designated hotel site in E-11 Northern Strip; and a 2,444-square-yard plot along Srinagar Highway.

At the prescribed reserve price, the 21,777-square-yard hotel site in F-5/1 was valued at approximately Rs41.38 billion, while the second plot in the same sector was valued at Rs34.30 billion. The estimated value of the D-12 plot stood at Rs9.99 billion, while the Srinagar Highway site was valued at Rs4.64 billion. These estimates do not include construction and other development costs.

To attract investors, the CDA had announced several incentives, including a flexible payment schedule spread over one year, approval of building plans upon payment of 25 per cent of the purchase price, and possession after payment of 75 per cent, subject to submission of an acceptable bank guarantee for the remaining amount.

The authority also offered a five per cent discount to buyers making full payment within 30 days, along with an additional five per cent discount on eligible payments made in US dollars. Investors were also allowed to use Roshan Digital Accounts and local banking channels to facilitate payments.

Despite these incentives, the auction failed to attract successful bids, raising questions about the CDA's pricing strategy. Hotel development requires substantial investment not only in land acquisition but also in construction and associated infrastructure.

As of the time of reporting, the CDA had neither announced revised reserve prices nor issued a schedule for a fresh auction.

Meanwhile, seven petrol pump sites were scheduled to be offered on the second day of the CDA's commercial property auction, October 13. The sites included locations on Murree Road, Blue Area F-10, I-12 Markaz, G-8 Markaz, G-8/1 and G-11/1.

Participation in the petrol pump auction was restricted to registered oil marketing companies (OMCs). The sites were to be offered as a single package under a 20-year lease, with monthly rent determined through competitive bidding and an annual rent increase of 10 per cent.

The token money for the petrol pump sites was fixed at Rs25 million. Successful bidders would be required to complete construction within a maximum of five months while bearing all associated development costs.

The CDA had announced the commercial property auction on October 7, 2026. Following the failure to sell the hotel plots, the outcome of the petrol pump auction was also expected to provide an indication of investor appetite for commercial properties in Islamabad.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan’s major water reservoirs have reached 58 percent of their combined storage capacity as authorities prepare for another spell of widespread monsoon rainfall expected to intensify flood risks across several parts of the country through July 25.
Officials from the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) briefed the Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources that the overall water storage situation remains under control despite increasing inflows caused by recent heavy rains. According to the latest figures, Tarbela Dam is operating at approximately 69 percent of its storage capacity, while Mangla Dam has reached 45 percent. Collectively, the country’s major reservoirs are now 58 percent full.
The commission reported that the Chenab River is currently carrying high water flows following recent rainfall, although levels remain below the official danger threshold. Low flood conditions are being observed in the Indus River downstream and the Jhelum River, while authorities continue to monitor changing river conditions as additional rain systems approach.
During the briefing, officials informed lawmakers that India has stopped sharing flood-related hydrological data with Pakistan following its unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The interruption has reduced Pakistan’s access to upstream river information that has traditionally supported flood forecasting and emergency planning.
Indus Waters Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah told the committee that Pakistan has not received any indication of additional water releases from Indian reservoirs into shared rivers. However, officials explained that the Federal Flood Commission is now relying on alternative information sources, satellite observations, and its own monitoring network to track river levels because official Indian flood monitoring websites are no longer accessible within Pakistan.
Members of the Senate committee expressed concern over reports regarding Indian dam operations and stressed that Pakistan must further strengthen its flood forecasting, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness to reduce risks to vulnerable communities.
Officials also highlighted the limitations of the country’s existing water storage infrastructure, noting that Pakistan’s reservoirs have the capacity to absorb only about 20 percent of flood flows during major rainfall events. As a result, significant downstream flooding remains possible during periods of exceptionally heavy monsoon rainfall.
The committee was informed that between July 2 and July 20, multiple weather-related disasters were reported across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. These incidents included glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash floods, cloudbursts, and riverbank erosion, causing damage to infrastructure and increasing pressure on emergency response agencies.
With another round of heavy monsoon rains forecast across much of the country, Senator Jam Saifullah Khan sought a detailed briefing on the government’s preparedness and emergency response measures. The committee also directed senior irrigation officials from Punjab and Sindh to attend future meetings in person after expressing dissatisfaction over one official participating through a video link, emphasizing the importance of direct coordination during the ongoing monsoon season.