The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has taken a major step against a famous housing project in Islamabad. A formal Show Cause Notice has been issued to the Multi Professionals Co-operative Housing Society (MPCHS), also known as B-17 Multi Gardens.
The authority has warned that a grand operation will start after a 7-day deadline to reclaim land that was meant for public use but was sold as private plots.
This news has caused great worry for hundreds of families who have spent their life savings to build homes in this area. Many of these houses, which cost millions of rupees, are now officially declared illegal because they were built on land meant for parks, green areas, or roads.
The History – What Went Wrong in Multi Gardens?
The B-17 Multi Gardens project started in 2006. At that time, the CDA approved the plan for the society, covering over 7,673 Kanals of land. According to the rules, the society was supposed to hand over land for “public amenities”—this includes roads, parks, graveyards, and schools—to the CDA.
On September 12, 2007, this land was officially transferred to the CDA. The society received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in 2008 to begin development, with a clear rule, all infrastructure work must be finished within 5 years, by January 30, 2014.
However, the society failed to complete the work on time. Even after 17 years, a completion certificate has not been issued. In 2022, a revised plan was approved for certain blocks, but the society did not get the final required approvals from the CDA Board within the next three years.
The Official Notice of CDA can be found HERE
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notice Issued | September 30, 2025 |
| Original Deadline | October 7, 2025 |
| Current Situation | May 2026 (7-day enforcement window active) |
While the physical notice was signed in 2025, the actual threat of demolition and the “7-day” warning is happening now because the CDA has decided to act on that old notice immediately.
The Major Violations was Selling Public Land to Private Buyers
The most serious problem identified by the CDA is the “illegal conversion” of land. This means the society took land that was supposed to be a park or a green belt and sold it as residential or commercial plots to the public.
The CDA states that this is a “criminal breach of trust” and a “fraud” against the buyers. The society sold these plots while hiding the fact that the land actually belonged to the government for public use.
The “Right of Way” Issue on 18th Avenue
The CDA’s Master Plan for Islamabad includes a 300 foot wide area on the east side of the society for a major road called 18th Avenue. The society was supposed to leave this “Right of Way” (ROW) clear. Instead, several buildings and structures were built there, including:
- A Grid Station.
- A Zoo.
- Medical Centers.
- The “Multi Club” building (covering 80 Kanals).
- Many private residential houses.
Complete List of Illegal Plots and Locations
If you own a property in B-17 Multi Gardens, you must check if your plot number is on the list of illegal conversions. The CDA has identified these specific areas that must be cleared:
Block A: Affected Streets and Plots
| Street Number | Land Use Rule | Current Illegal Use | Affected Plot Numbers | Area (Kanal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street 08 | Green Area under High Tension Lines | Residential | 640 and 641 | 2.75 |
| Street 09 | Green Area under High Tension Lines | Residential | 115 | 0.60 |
| Street 10 | Green Area under High Tension Lines | Residential | 149 and 150 | 1.08 |
| Street 15 and 16 | Green Area next to Nullah | Residential | 243, 244, 277 | 4.55 |
Block B: Affected Streets and Plots
| Street Number | Land Use Rule | Current Illegal Use | Affected Plot Numbers / Names | Area (Kanal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street 13 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 216 & 220 | 1.07 |
| Road MR-6 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 247 | 0.56 |
| Street 14 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 271, 274, 275 | 1.62 |
| Street 15 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 295, 296, 299, 300 | 2.16 |
| Street 16 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 321, 325 | 1.02 |
| Street 17 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 347, 351-A | 1.02 |
| Street 20 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Mosque | Jamia Masjid Madni | 1.08 |
| Street 64 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 1457-A, 1458-A | 1.27 |
| Street 65 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 1474-A, 1475-A | 1.09 |
| Street 66 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 1488-A, 1630 | 1.01 |
| Street 68 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 1514-A | 0.86 |
| Street 57/68 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 1290-A, 1353-A, 1515-A | 1.64 |
| Street 57/69 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 1349-A, 1350, 1520, 1521 | 1.84 |
| Street 70 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 1554, 1583 | 0.88 |
| Street 72 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | 1598, 1616, 1617 | 1.32 |
| Street 11 | Green Area (High Tension Lines) | Residential | Encroached | 1.37 |
| Road MR-1A | Park Area | Encroached | Park Land | 4.55 |
| G.T. Road | Green Boundary | Encroached | Green Belt | 9.96 |
| 18th Avenue | Club / Park Area | Multi Club | MR-5 & MR-3 | 80.00 |
The Impact on the “Common Man”
While the CDA is legally correct in reclaiming public land, the real victims are the common people. Many residents bought these plots years ago, believing they were legal because the society looked high-quality and safe.
In today’s market, building a house on a 10 Marla or 1 Kanal plot in Islamabad can cost between 3.5 to 4.5 Crore PKR. People have used their entire savings to build these homes. Now, they face the risk of seeing their houses demolished by heavy machinery within a week.
The society management often used large maps and expensive offices to convince buyers that everything was approved. Many people are now asking, why did the CDA wait 17 years to take action while people were building these houses in broad daylight?
Legal Warnings and Court Rulings
The CDA’s notice is supported by several orders from the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The courts have repeatedly ruled that:
- Public land cannot be changed: Areas meant for parks, schools or hospitals can never be converted into residential or commercial plots.
- Ignorance is not an excuse: Buyers are expected to check the approved maps before buying, but the society is responsible for paying damages if they sell illegal land.
- Restoration is mandatory: The CDA must ensure that all public areas are restored to their original form.
What Happens if the Society Does Not Comply?
If the illegal structures are not removed within 7 days, the CDA has planned the following actions:
- Using police force to demolish buildings.
- The cost of demolition will be recovered from the people responsible.
- The management could face criminal investigations by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) or the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
- The CDA may block the entrance to the housing scheme.
- Society offices and site offices will be locked and sealed.
What Should Residents Do?
If your home or plot is on the list mentioned above, you should act immediately.
- The CDA has offered a chance for a personal hearing within the 7-day window.
- Review your allotment letters and compare them with the original approved maps of the CDA.
- Affected residents may need to join together to seek compensation from the society management, as the courts have ruled that the society is liable for damages to the buyers.
The situation in B-17 is a serious warning for everyone looking to invest in real estate in Islamabad. Always verify the latest NOC status and the approved Layout Plan (LOP) on the official CDA website before making any payments.
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