CDA plans new zoning controls around Margalla Hills to stop unchecked construction, acquire land and protect Islamabad’s green belt.
Key Takeaways
- CDA Board has approved in principle major amendments to ICT Zone-3 regulations.
- Further construction may be stopped in key areas around Margalla Hills National Park.
- Shahdara, Talhar and Gokina are proposed to be placed under a new Zone-3A category.
- A high-level committee will prepare zoning rules and submit recommendations within 15 days.
- Final approval will depend on the Federal Cabinet after CDA and Interior Ministry review.
CDA Moves to Protect Margalla Hills
The Capital Development Authority has approved in principle a major zoning reform plan aimed at protecting the Margalla Hills National Park and controlling construction in nearby areas. The proposal is one of the most important planning decisions for Islamabad’s northern belt, where pressure from settlements, private land and development activity has continued to grow.
Under the plan, the CDA will acquire privately owned land in selected locations and stop further construction until a revised zoning framework is formally implemented. The decision is designed to reduce unplanned expansion around the national park and bring sensitive land under clearer planning controls.
New Sub-Zones Proposed Around the Park
According to official documents, the CDA Board has approved in principle amendments to the ICT Zoning Regulations, 1992, specifically linked to Zone-3. The already notified area of the Margalla Hills National Park will continue to remain part of Zone-3, keeping its protected status within Islamabad’s planning structure.
However, unacquired settlements located near the park, including Shahdara, Talhar and Gokina, are proposed to be placed in a new category called Zone-3A. In these areas, the authority plans to acquire land and prevent fresh development until the new rules are approved and enforced.
Construction Limits and Land Acquisition Plan
The documents also propose that land between the Margalla Hills National Park and residential sectors, extending north of Margalla Avenue up to Sector C-16, should be classified as Zone-1A. The CDA intends to acquire private land in this area and develop housing and planning schemes under Zone-1 regulations.
Existing villages and settlements will not be removed from the discussion, but they will be regulated within defined boundaries. No further construction will be allowed on privately owned land outside approved limits. This means the authority wants to stop scattered growth while still recognizing existing local settlements.
Zone-4E to Allow Controlled Development
Another area, located between the Margalla Hills National Park and Murree Road/Srinagar Highway, is proposed to be placed under Zone-4E. Unlike the stricter areas closer to the park, this category may allow private development, but only under CDA zoning regulations and after prior approval from the authority.
The CDA will also be allowed to launch its own development schemes on land already acquired in this area. This approach shows that the authority is not banning all development across the wider region, but it wants future construction to follow a controlled, planned and environmentally safer process.
Committee to Finalize Rules Before Cabinet Approval
The CDA Board has formed a six-member high-level committee to prepare draft zoning regulations for the newly proposed sub-zones. The committee will review land-use categories, planning strategies, village details, population data and development controls before submitting its recommendations to the board.
The committee will be headed by the CDA Member Planning and Design. Its members will include the Member Estate, architect Nayyar Ali Dada, a CDA Board member, the Director General Environment, the Director Technical to the CDA Chairman and the Director Master Plan. The committee can also include additional members if required.
It has been directed to submit recommendations within 15 days. After CDA Board approval, a summary will be sent through the Ministry of Interior to the Federal Cabinet. Once the cabinet gives final approval, the CDA Board will formally approve building regulations and development controls for the new zones.
