Supreme Court Gives CDA Six Months to Settle Land Compensation and Allottee Dues

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to settle outstanding compensation liabilities and deliver legally admissible rehabilitation benefits to affected landowners and allottees within six months, according to a detailed judgment covering several land acquisition and compensation cases.

Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan authored the judgment, which also set aside certain directions issued by the Islamabad High Court on June 4, 2021, and October 30, 2024. The court held that acquisition awards which have become final under the law will govern the rights and obligations of all parties, meaning claimants cannot seek compensation, extra plots or rehabilitation benefits beyond those awards and the applicable legal framework. At the same time, the CDA cannot delay legally established payments and benefits indefinitely.

For land in Mouza Bheka Sayedan, the court upheld the February 22, 1969 acquisition award covering 845 acres, seven kanals and seven marlas. It also confirmed that subsequent awards for built-up properties announced in 1980, 1982 and 1985 remain enforceable under their respective legal terms. Claimants relying on disputed review orders must prove their authenticity and show that the issuing authority had jurisdiction and complied with legal requirements.

The judgment clarified that the federal government cannot independently approve additional compensation, reopen settled acquisition awards or create new proprietary rights beyond its authority under the CDA Ordinance, 1960. Instead, compensation and rehabilitation entitlements must be determined by the relevant acquisition awards, statutory provisions and applicable policies.

The court also addressed complaints from Sector E-12 allottees, who have awaited development work and physical possession of their plots since 1989. It ruled that their rights will be determined by valid allotment instruments, development schemes and applicable regulations, and required the CDA to implement valid allotments and rehabilitation benefits while the competent authority examines unresolved claims.

The ruling is significant for thousands of landowners and plot holders in the federal capital, where disputes over compensation and delayed development have persisted for decades. It places a clear timeline on the CDA while reaffirming that settled awards remain the basis for entitlements.