Islamabad’s real estate sector leaders have strongly rejected the recent decision by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to increase the property transfer fee from 1% to 3%, terming it detrimental to government’s efforts to support the housing and real estate sector. They demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification, prompt issuance of plot maps and No-Demand Certificates (NDCs), and removal of CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa. If these demands are not met, stakeholders, including realtors, builders, developers, and members of allied industries plan to hold a major protest and lockdown of CDA offices in Islamabad on July 22nd.
Addressing an emergency press conference at the National Press Club Islamabad, President of Islamabad Estate Agents Association (IEAA) and member of Prime Minister’s Task Force, Sardar Tahir Mahmood, criticized the CDA’s decision sharply, calling it an intentional subversion of steps taken by PM Shehbaz Sharif’s government to revive the real estate sector. Sardar Tahir Mahmood asserted that the CDA Chairman had openly violated the Prime Minister’s explicit directives and policy initiatives that aimed at providing relief to the public amid economic challenges.
Sardar Tahir Mahmood along with former president IEAA Chaudhry Abdul Rauf, General Secretary Chaudhry Zahid Rafiq, Atif Jameel Butt, and other prominent leaders pointed out that the federal government introduced significant relief in recent budgetary measures, including reduction in advance tax (Section 236K), removal of Federal Excise Duty (FED), and relief on stamp duties to stimulate housing and real estate activities. However, instead of supporting these positive steps, the CDA has drastically increased property transfer fees and other charges, undermining both the government’s vision and public interest.
Moreover, they accused CDA of intentionally delaying approvals related to plots’ layouts and issuance of NDCs, alleging these tactics had fostered a pervasive environment of bribery and corruption. They also criticized CDA’s strategy of generating revenue through frequent auctions of plots, stating that it exploited investors and the general public.
Sardar Tahir Mahmood announced that if these grievances are not promptly addressed, representatives from Islamabad and Rawalpindi’s real estate sector—including realtors, developers, builders, and allied industries—will stage a comprehensive lockdown protest outside CDA headquarters on July 22nd. He explicitly warned that if authorities fail to meet their demands, the protests would intensify and continue indefinitely until their issues are resolved.
Additionally, the real estate community plans an extensive media campaign to demand the resignation or removal of CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, asserting that his policies directly conflict with government’s public-friendly agenda and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s instructions.
