Capital Development Authority (Pakistan)

File:Islamabad Clock.JPG

The organization initially came into being through an executive order but was later superseded by CDA Ordinance issued on June 27, 1960.{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Mamoon |date=2022-08-30 |title=All About Capital Development Authority (CDA) |url=https://www.zameen.com/blog/capital-development-authority-overview.html?webview=1 |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=A blog about real estate, lifestyle and tourism in Pakistan {{!}} Zameen Blog |language=en-US}} Major General Yahya Khan was designated as the first Chairman on 21 June 1960. The Capital Development Authority developed the CDA Model School in Islamabad in 1970. It is one of the oldest civic organizations in Pakistan and it was created with the aim to develop and maintain the capital city.{{Cite web |title=CDA-History |url=https://www.cda.gov.pk/public/cdaHistory#:~:text=The%20Capital%20Development%20Authority%20(CDA,Islamabad,%20and%20its%20surrounding%20areas. |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=www.cda.gov.pk}}

During 2016, CDA partnered up with Serena Hotels to launch spring tree plantation drive. The launch event was attended by diplomats from various countries, officials from Government and corporate executives.{{Cite web |title=BR-ePaper {{!}} Mar 12, 2016 {{!}} Page National News Page 8 |url=https://epaper.brecorder.com/2016/03/12/8-page/565740-news.html |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=epaper.brecorder.com |language=en}}

In 2017, the CDA launched healthy city programme in collaboration with WHO country office in Pakistan. The programme was aimed at addressing inequalities and targetting needs of vulnerable groups.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=A. |date=2017-11-11 |title=Islamabad to be Pakistan's first 'healthy city' |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1369691 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

U Microfinance Bank collaborated with CDA in 2021 to plant one of the largest Miyawaki Forest of Islamabad in Kachnar park. https://ubank.com.pk/u-microfinance-bank-cda-join-hands-to-plant-the-largest-miyawaki-forest-in-islamabad/ During the campaign, around 6000 trees were planted on 1.5 acres of land. The collaboration was aimed at mitigating the devastating effects of deforestation and land degradation in Pakistan.{{Cite web |title=U Microfinance Bank & CDA join hands to plant the largest Miyawaki Forest in Islamabad |url=https://ubank.com.pk/u-microfinance-bank-cda-join-hands-to-plant-the-largest-miyawaki-forest-in-islamabad/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=ubank.com.pk}} Later on, in another collaboration with Mari Petroleum, largest Miyawaki Forest of the city was launched in sector H-12 of Islamabad. Initially over 20,000 tree saplings were planted with the plantation to continue gradually. The forest is spreaded over an area of 17 acres having various species of plants.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-07 |title=Islamabad's largest Miyawaki Forest launched |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/islamabads-largest-miyawaki-forest-launched-1.91118452 |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-11 |title=CDA is building world's largest Urban Miyawaki Forest in Islamabad |url=https://city2marketing.com/2022/10/11/cda-is-building-worlds-largest-urban-miyawaki-forest-in-islamabad/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=City 2 Marketing |language=en-US}}

According to a statement issued in March 2022, PTCL Group and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) entered into a strategic partnership to drive the digitalization of services provided by CDA. As per agreement, PTCL will deliver digital solutions to support various sectors within CDA Islamabad, including the administration, Excise and Taxation, and Islamabad Police. The partnership will initially introduce 12 key solutions, such as mobility services, call center setup, video conferencing, cloud services, complaint management systems, street lighting, and fleet management.{{Cite web |title=PTCL, CDA partner for digitalisation |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/943491-ptcl-cda-partner-for-digitalisation |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Rizvi |first=Kazim Raza |date=2022-03-21 |title=PTCL Group & CDA collaborate for Turnkey Solutions |url=https://customnews.pk/2022/03/21/ptcl-group-cda-collaborate-for-turnkey-solutions/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=CustomsNews.pk Daily |language=en-US}}

In 2023, CDA collaborated with Niaz Support to provide custom wheelchairs to their employees with disabilities and their family members living with disability.{{cite web |last1=Daily Times |title=CDA, Niaz Support partner to improve mobility of disable workers |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/1124656/cda-niaz-support-partner-to-improve-mobility-of-disable-workers/#google_vignette |website=Daily Times |publisher=Daily Times |access-date=29 August 2024}} In order to address the water shortage problems, CDA officials conducted meetings with WAPDA officials for construction of Dotara Dam and decided to collaborate for this project with the CDA intending to fund the project.{{Cite web |last=Masood |first=Iqra |date=2023-10-17 |title=CDA, WAPDA Collaborate for Dotara Dam- Zameen News |url=https://www.zameen.com/news/cda-wapda-collaborate-dotara-dam.html?webview=1 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Pakistan Real Estate News & Pakistan Property News & Latest Updates - Zameen News |language=en-US}}

During 2024, Capital Development Authority in collaboration with Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) launched "Throw and Grow" initiative to promote the green cover of Margalla hills.{{Cite web |author=News Desk |date=2024-07-28 |title=Throw and Grow: PTC and CDA join forces to enhance Margalla hills' greenery |url=https://pakobserver.net/throw-and-grow-ptc-and-cda-join-forces-to-enhance-margalla-hills-greenery/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Pakistan Observer |language=en-US}} In another collaboration, The Embassy of United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Pakistan decided to provide support to CDA in renovating and adding new facilities to one of the parks existing in Islamabad.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=The Newspaper's Staff |date=2024-08-29 |title=UAE embassy to partner with CDA for park renovation |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1855354 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} In another move, CDA joined hands with OGDCL for landscaping and tree plantation drive in the city. The project is expected to improve the aesthetic appeal of Islamabad Expressway while also contributing to better air quality through more plantation.{{Cite web |title=OGDCL has collaborated with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for landscaping and tree plantation {{!}} OGDCL |url=https://ogdcl.com/news/ogdcl-has-collaborated-capital-development-authority-cda-landscaping-and-tree-plantation |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=ogdcl.com}}

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• Planning and Design Wing
• Architecture Directorate
• Building Control Directorate
• Enforcement Directorate
• Housing Societies Directorate
• Industrial Planning Directorate
• Land Survey Division
• Master Plan Cell
• Urban Planning Directorate
• Structure Directorate
• Traffic Engineering & Transportation Planning
• Administration Wing
• Capital Hospital
• HR Directorate
• CDA Training Academy
• Labor Relation Directorate
• Law Directorate
• Security Directorate
• Environment Protection Cell
• Environment Directorate
• Environment Protection Directorate
• Parks Directorate
• Sanitation Directorate
• Wildlife Management Directorate
• Estate Wing
• Estate Management
• Land and Rehabilitation Directorate
• Sector Development Directorate
• Technology Wing
• IT Directorate
• One Window Operation Directorate
• Public Relations Directorate
• Geospatial Technology Wing
• Resource Center

{{div col end}}

The Government of Pakistan appoints the CDA chairman through its Establishment Division. As of 2024, the chairman also serves as the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory. According to the CDA Ordinance, the chairman of the board is appointed for four years.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=The Newspaper's Staff |date=2021-07-04 |title=Amer Ali Ahmed appointed permanent CDA chief |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1633011 |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

During an anti-encroachment drive, CDA was able to recover as much as 700 kanals of land from land grabbers in sector I-12 of Islamabad. The said land was illegally encroached by Afghan settlers due to which CDA launched a comprehensive campaign to retrieve the encroached land.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-12 |title=CDA retrieves 700 kanals land in Sector I-12 |url=https://www.app.com.pk/national/cda-retrieves-700-kanals-land-in-sector-i-12/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Administrator |date=2023-10-16 |title=CDA's Crackdown Reclaims 750 Kanals Land In Sector I-12 |url=https://thepenpk.com/cdas-crackdown-reclaims-750-kanals-land-in-sector-i-12/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=ThePenPK |language=en-US}} In another successful move, CDA recovered 350 kanals of land in sector I-15 of Islamabad after 16 years of illegal occupation by land mafia.{{Cite web |title=Government land in Islamabad recovered after 16 years in anti-encroachment drive |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/333883-cda-recovers-350-kanals-of-government-land-after-16-years-in-anti-encroachment-drive |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}}

In order to address the water availability issues, CDA established upto 100 rainwater rechargeable wells in different localities of Islamabad. The project is aimed at conservation of rainwater to improve the underground water level in the city. These wells are designed with a filtration system to keep the water safe from pollutants while revitalising the groundwater. As informed by officials of CDA, more than one million gallon of rainwater has been saved from establishing rechargeable wells.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-26 |title=Chairman CDA inaugurated the rainwater rechargeable well – PPI News Agency |url=https://ppinewsagency.com/chairman-cda-inaugurated-the-rainwater-rechargeable-well/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=azeem |first=muhammad |date=2023-01-10 |title=Rainwater rechargeable well inaugurated |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395197/rainwater-rechargeable-well-inaugurated?amp=1 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}

In order to reduce maintenance cost and to adopt energy efficient solutions, CDA replaced 21,000 street light bulbs with LED lights. The lights have been replaced on major roads and avenues in Islamabad.{{Cite web |last=our.correspondent |date=2017-02-26 |title=CDA installs 21,000 LED street lights in capital |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1339817/cda-installs-21000-led-street-lights-capital |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}

Over the years, the CDA has also completed some major infrastructure projects aimed at addressing the traffic congestion issue in the city. Some of the major infrastructure projects completed include construction of 7th Avenue at a cost of PKR 900 million,{{Cite web |last=Iqbal |first=Atif |date=2008-07-01 |title=Islamabad: CDA's enduring love affair with 7th Avenue |url=https://eproperty.pk/islamabad-cdas-enduring-love-affair-with-7th-avenue/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=eProperty® |language=en-US}} construction of Zero Point Interchange on Islamabad Expressway in year 2011 at a cost of PKR 4.1 Billion,{{Cite web |last=azam.khan |date=2011-07-03 |title=Complete at last: CDA to inaugurate Zero Point Interchange, Lehtrar Road |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/201794/complete-at-last-cda-to-inaugurate-zero-point-interchange-lehtrar-road |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} Peshawar Morr Interchange on Srinagar Highway at a cost of PKR 6.5 Billion in year 2016,{{Cite web |title=Asia's biggest Interchange: Peshawar Morr nearly - ProQuest |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1787152276?sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=www.proquest.com |language=en}} and Rawal Dam chowk flyover on Murree Road at cost of PKR 1.1 Billion in year 2022.{{Cite web |last=Abbasi |first=Kashif |date=2022-08-01 |title=Rawal Dam flyover expected to open in a week |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1702535 |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} In another development, CDA inaugurated 7th Avenue interchange in year 2022 built at a cost of PKR 1.7 billion.{{Cite web |last=Abbasi |first=Kashif |date=2022-10-26 |title=7th Avenue interchange ready for inauguaration |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1716995 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} These infrastructure projects have helped in reducing traffic congestion on major roads and junctions in Islamabad specially during rush hours.

To preserve the history of Islamabad and to promote culture and tourism, CDA developed Saidpur village, more than 300 years old village, into a model village restoring its outlook. The village carries structures of Mandir, Church, and a Gurdwara.

In order to provide medical services to its serving and retired employees along with general public, CDA operates Capital Hospital in Sector G-6 Islamabad. Initially started as day care medical center, the facility was converted into a hospital in year 1981. The hospital houses 250 bed facility and is providing medical care in general surgery, Urology, Eye & ENT, Orthopaedics, and post-operative intensive care among others. The hospital has the distinct privilege of introducing Nuclear Cardiology to Pakistan in 1985 and it also operates hospital based coronary care unit.

Capital Hospital provides free medical treatment to employees of CDA and their families. Non-entitled patients are charged for investigations and in-patient treatment. After construction of several new blocks, the hospital has been converted into a 500 bed facility.{{Cite web |last=Junaidi |first=Ikram |date=2024-10-23 |title=Employees fret as CDA mulls outsourcing Capital Hospital |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1866970 |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

{{Main|Persecution of Christians#Pakistan}}

Since 2014, the CDA has been targeting and demolishing illegal slums who are largely occupied by Christians in Islamabad. The Supreme Court put on hold the demolitions and ordered from the CDA a written justification to it. The CDA's replied that "most of these katchi abadis [slums] are under the occupation of the Christian community." "It seems this pace of occupation of land by Christian community may increase. Removal of katchi abadies is very urgent to provide [a] better environment to the citizen[s] of Islamabad and to protect the beauty of Islamabad." Various human rights activists condemned the response.{{cite news|last1=Ghani|first1=Faras|title=Islamabad's Christian slums face demolition|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/islamabad-christian-slums-face-demolition-151212093750321.html|accessdate=1 April 2016|work=Al Jazeera|date=14 Dec 2015}}{{cite news|title=Islamabad's Christian slum dwellers pray for Christmas miracle|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1016235/islamabads-christian-slum-dwellers-pray-for-christmas-miracle/|accessdate=2 April 2016|work=The Express Tribune|date=25 December 2015|location=Islamabad}}{{cite news|last1=Sandhu|first1=Serina|title=Plans to demolish Christian-majority slums in Islamabad put on hold by Supreme Court|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/plans-to-demolish-christian-majority-slums-in-islamabad-put-on-hold-by-supreme-court-a6772131.html|accessdate=2 April 2016|work=The Independent|date=14 December 2015}}

• Cabinet Secretariat Department
• Model Town Humak
• Developments in Islamabad

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.cda.gov.pk CDA Official Website]

{{Islamabad|state=collapsed}}

Category:Pakistan federal departments and agencies

Category:Government of Islamabad

Category:Government agencies established in 1960

Category:1960 establishments in Pakistan

Category:Public benefit corporations

Category:Urban development authorities in Pakistan