FIA registers case against 58 CDA land officials

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency has registered a criminal case against 58 employees of the Capital Development Authority's Land Department over alleged irregularities in land records, illegal allotments and suspected collusion with private housing developers, Minute Mirror reported on Friday, citing official sources and documents it reviewed.

The investigation centres on allegations of record manipulation, forged land documents and facilitation of allegedly illegal housing societies in Zone-IV of Islamabad. Sources familiar with the inquiry told the outlet that the accused officials played different roles in processing and verifying land records, including alleged forgery of Aks Shajra and processing claims involving disputed ownership.

Investigators are examining whether weaknesses in the manual land-record system were used to create or alter ownership claims and facilitate compensation payments. A source familiar with the inquiry alleged that some acquisition records dating back several decades were tampered with and questionable claims later used to seek compensation, though the allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.

The inquiry also includes allegations that private developers benefited from weaknesses in the system, and that officials verified disputed ownership claims in return for financial benefits. CDA acquired large areas of land for Islamabad's development, but compensation and ownership disputes have continued in areas including Kurri, Malpur and along Park Road.

Officials familiar with previous audits said irregularities in the CDA Land Directorate had been highlighted in earlier audit observations. The case has emerged alongside an internal accountability drive within the FIA. Director General FIA Dr Usman Anwar has publicly emphasised stronger institutional accountability and the use of technology in investigating organised crime, human smuggling, money laundering and other offences.

According to FIA headquarters data cited by officials, 214 employees received departmental punishment during the final four months of 2025, while 76 were dismissed and nine demoted. Legal and investigative sources told Minute Mirror the inquiry may face scrutiny over whether responsibility extends beyond the 58 named officials, including senior officers who approved or reviewed disputed files and private housing societies that allegedly benefited. Recovery of disputed land may require coordination between CDA, the Islamabad administration and police. The accused officials remain entitled to the presumption of innocence.