FIA registers case against 58 CDA officials over alleged land irregularities

Summary ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a criminal case against 58 employees of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Land Department over alleged irregularities involving land records, illegal allotments and suspected collusion with private housing developers. According to official sources and documents reviewed by Minute Mirror the investigation centres on allegations of record manipulation, forged land documents and the facilitation of allegedly illegal housing societies in Zone-IV of Islamabad. Allegations involving CDA officials Sources familiar with the FIA investigation said the 58 officials allegedly played different roles in the processing and verification of land records. AI Generated Summary ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a criminal case against 58 employees of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Land Department over alleged irregularities involving land records, illegal allotments and suspected collusion with private housing developers. According to official sources and documents reviewed by Minute Mirror the investigation centres on allegations of record manipulation, forged land documents and the facilitation of allegedly illegal housing societies in Zone-IV of Islamabad. The case is being viewed as part of a broader accountability effort targeting suspected corruption within institutions responsible for land administration and enforcement. Allegations involving CDA officials Sources familiar with the FIA investigation said the 58 officials allegedly played different roles in the processing and verification of land records. The allegations include illegal allotments, forgery of Aks Shajra and the processing of claims involving disputed ownership. Investigators are also examining whether weaknesses in the manual land-record system were exploited to create or alter ownership claims and facilitate compensation payments. A source familiar with the inquiry alleged that some original acquisition records dating back several decades were tampered with and that questionable claims were subsequently used to seek compensation. The allegations, however, remain subject to investigation and judicial determination. The inquiry also includes allegations that private developers benefited from weaknesses in the land-record system. Investigators are examining whether officials allegedly verified disputed ownership claims in return for financial benefits. Long-standing land disputes The CDA acquired large areas of land for the development of Islamabad, but compensation and ownership disputes have continued in several 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 latest criminal proceedings could therefore bring renewed attention to the management, verification and digitisation of Islamabad's land records. FIA's internal accountability drive 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 to improve investigations into organised crime, human smuggling, money laundering and other offences. According to FIA headquarters data cited by officials, 214 employees were subjected to departmental punishment during the final four months of 2025, while 76 officials were dismissed from service and nine were demoted. The agency has also taken disciplinary action against officials following complaints and investigations into alleged misconduct, according to officials familiar with the internal accountability process. Questions over wider responsibility Legal and investigative sources said the ongoing inquiry could face further scrutiny over whether responsibility extends beyond the 58 officials named in the case. A key question will be whether investigators examine the role of senior officers who approved or reviewed disputed files, as well as the involvement of private housing societies allegedly benefiting from irregular transactions. Another challenge concerns recovery of disputed land. Officials have pointed to the need for coordination between the CDA, Islamabad administration and police if illegal occupation or development is established. The 58 accused officials remain entitled to the presumption of innocence, and any allegations against them will ultimately be determined through the investigation and courts.