NAB takes notice of encroachment on 898 Kanals of CDA land in Shah Allah Ditta, orders accountability

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has taken notice of the alleged illegal occupation of 898 kanals of land belonging

ISLAMABAD:  The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has taken notice of the alleged illegal occupation of 898 kanals of land belonging to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Mouza Shah Allah Ditta, Islamabad, prompting the authority to initiate action to recover the state property and determine responsibility for the alleged negligence of its officials.

Following a letter issued by NAB on October 8, 2026, bearing reference number NABR20250818330984/IW-II/11309, the CDA has directed its relevant officers to take immediate steps to assess the status of the land, identify those responsible for failing to protect it and ensure its recovery from unauthorized occupants.

According to an official letter issued by the Office of the Member (Estate), CDA, on October 15, 2026, a copy of which is available with Minute Mirror, instructions have been conveyed to the concerned authorities to take necessary measures to retrieve the valuable government land and prevent further encroachment.

The letter, issued by Member (Estate) Muhammad Zaman Wattoo under reference number CDA/Member (Estate)/2026/8622, outlines specific directions for the recovery and protection of the property.

Under the instructions, the Deputy Commissioner CDA has been asked to submit an updated status report detailing the physical occupation of the 898 kanals situated in Mouza Shah Allah Ditta. The land was originally acquired for the establishment of a landfill or controlled dumping site.

The Deputy Commissioner has also been directed to identify the revenue officers and officials who allegedly failed to perform their responsibilities in safeguarding the government property. The letter emphasizes the need to determine accountability for any lapses that may have allowed the land to remain under unauthorized occupation.

Furthermore, the concerned authorities have been instructed to take immediate and necessary measures in coordination with the relevant CDA departments to recover the land and ensure adequate protection against future encroachments.

The official communication has been forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner CDA for compliance. Copies have also been sent to the Director General (Land and Rehabilitation), CDA, and the Additional Director (Staff) to the Director General of NAB Islamabad/Rawalpindi for information and necessary action.

Sources familiar with the matter said the land had been acquired decades ago for the development of a landfill facility. However, it allegedly came under illegal occupation over the years, raising questions about the performance of officials responsible for maintaining government land records and preventing unauthorized possession.

According to the sources, alleged negligence and possible connivance of revenue officials may have contributed to the situation, potentially causing losses worth billions of rupees to the national exchequer. However, the allegations and the extent of any financial loss would require verification through the relevant investigation.

The development has brought renewed attention to the protection of public land in the federal capital and the responsibility of government departments to prevent encroachments on state-owned properties.

NAB’s intervention and the subsequent directions issued by the CDA are expected to help establish the current status of the land, determine whether official negligence occurred and facilitate steps towards its recovery.

The outcome will depend on the status report submitted by the Deputy Commissioner CDA, the findings regarding the officials concerned and the measures taken by the authority to restore control of the land acquired for the proposed waste-disposal facility.