Rs5b agro farm plot 'scam' exposed in CDA

An alleged corruption scandal involving forgery, collusion, and manipulation of laws has surfaced in the Capital Development Authority (CDA), revealing fraudulent allotment of five agro farm plots worth Rs5 billion.

CDA officials and staff allegedly added an extra zero to the land claim of victims — turning 50 kanals into 500 kanals — to secure the allotment of the said plots.

CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa immediately ordered an inquiry and sought a comprehensive report within three days. Reliable sources told The Express Tribune that, on the chairman's instructions, Director Kashif Niaz has issued a formal fact-finding inquiry order.

According to the order, CDA Deputy Director General Resource Humaira Irshad will chair the inquiry committee, with CDA Director State Management Shakeel Ahmad as a member.

The inquiry order states that allotments of agro farmhouse plots numbered 38, 40, 59, 66, and 66-A were entirely fraudulent — prepared using tampered revenue records and fabricated documents inserted into official files.

The inquiry has so far revealed that all five allotments were based on deliberate fraud and bogus documentation.

The committee has also been directed to identify the role of a man named Aslam Jamil, who presented himself as a private individual.

"The committee must explain in writing who this influential man is and how he managed to manipulate not just one CDA directorate but officials from Revenue, CDA DC Office, Land Directorate, and even the former Deputy DG State," it was stated.

Similarly, the committee must investigate the then Assistant Director Land Irfan Ahmed, whose record suggests he acted against CDA's interests in the agro farm matters, it was ordered.

"All related documents should be retrieved from official files and included in the inquiry."

The committee has been instructed to maintain complete confidentiality and submit a merit-based report identifying all responsible officials, along with recommendations.

Sources further revealed that Aslam Jamil — who bypassed all CDA rules — was actually a former CDA clerk who is now retired and resides in an upscale sector of Islamabad.

Chairman CDA could not be reached for comments. However, a senior CDA officer confirmed to The Express Tribune that a confidential investigation has been launched, and a committee formed on the chairman's orders will submit a detailed report within three days.

In response to a query, he said the matter is far from simple.

An inquiry will be conducted from lower-level staff to senior officials, including the Member Estate. He added that at the time the scam occurred, no Member Estate was appointed, so all powers were delegated to the Deputy DG State.

During this period, the figure of 50 kanals in the victims' land record was altered to 500 kanals, enabling the allotment of five plots worth Rs5 billion.