ISLAMABAD:
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has allegedly retained unlawful possession of 1,083 government residences located in prime sectors of the federal capital under the jurisdiction of the Estate Office, while the authority has also allegedly failed to deposit the mandatory five per cent standard rent into the federal treasury since the time of allotment.
The Ministry of Housing and Works has decided to place the matter before the CDA chairman, while the Public Accounts Committee has recommended that the Housing Secretary resolve the issue on an urgent basis.
According to available documents with The Express Tribune, audit authorities raised objections after the Estate Office abolished all accommodation pools except those allocated to the Foreign Office and a sensitive state institution, while also imposing a cap on the number of government residences to prevent any further increase.
Under Clause 4 (1&2) of the Accommodation Allocation Rules 2002, government residences allotted to institutions receiving funds for the construction of their own housing colonies were required to be reclaimed, and all other pools were to be abolished
However, CDA officials allegedly refused to vacate the residences. Sources claimed that certain elements within the Estate Office were complicit in allowing the continued occupation of these properties, resulting in thousands of government employees being forced to reside in costly private accommodation despite long waiting lists for official housing.
The documents further suggest that, due to alleged collusion by Estate Office officials, the residences could not be retrieved, even though Rule 24 of the Estate Office regulations empowers authorities to cancel allotments and repossess properties at any time.
Sources further disclosed that several original allottees occupying the CDA-held residences have already retired, while in numerous cases allotments were reportedly transferred by CDA officials to their children.
It was also alleged that the five per cent rent collected from occupants has been retained and utilised by the CDA itself instead of being deposited into the federal treasury in accordance with the law.
