ISLAMABAD: City managers have spent Rs25 billion on various development projects in the current fiscal year after the finance wing improved its recovery.

A meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa on Friday discussed the revenue target and recovery.

The meeting was told that so far this year over Rs43 billion had been recovered against various heads, including installments of plots.

Sources said the total recovery was expected to cross the figure of Rs60 billion as normally dues were paid by people in the last months of the year. The meeting was also told that Rs25 billion had been spent on various projects.

Over Rs43bn recovered against various heads, including installments of plots, meeting told

The sources said that CDA member finance Tahir Naeem Akhtar gave presentation on funds recovered so far and pending recovery. The chair formed a recovery unit headed by the member finance and directed all wings to take steps for increasing the revenue.

According to CDA, the unit will enhance the recovery of outstanding dues from defaulters with full support from all the directorates. The sources said the second round of meetings was likely to be held on Monday.

Besides tax collection, the CDA is mostly relying on its land bank to collect revenue. However, the meeting was told that several initiatives for generating regular income were being planned besides new projects through joint ventures.

New projects for regular income include construction of apartments at three sites, construction of two new parking plazas in Blue Area and a five-star hotel (through joint venture).

Meanwhile, a press release said that the meeting reviewed CDA’s current financial position, ways and means to achieved financial targets during the financial year as well a strategy to further enhance the revenue on a sustainable basis to ensure timely completion of all developmental projects.

It said the CDA chief directed that all necessary measures be taken to strengthen CDA’s financially strong, self-sufficient in terms of financial resources which will enable it to have timely completion of all its projects related to the development, beautification, tourism initiatives, and public welfare schemes.

The chair instructed the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) to conduct a comprehensive survey of all leased properties, compile a complete data and take action against all those using leased properties illegally.

During the meeting, the DG resource wing was directed to prepare innovative strategies to diversify revenue streams in order to have CDA’s financial stability and sustainability in terms of financial condition.

Mr Randhawa emphasised meeting current budget targets while preparing actionable proposals for the next fiscal year’s budget.

The CDA, which was formed in 1960, is still mainly relying on auction of plots for meeting its development and non-development expenditures.

“Selling plots is the responsibility of CDA for the growth of the city. But how long we will continue selling plots to meet expenditure? New initiatives, which are being planned, are need of the hour to have regular income,” said an official.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2025