The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is facing renewed scrutiny over the inclusion of approximately 250 acres of land allocated to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in the CDA–DHA Margalla Enclave housing project, raising concerns about the future of two planned public-sector universities in the federal capital.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the matter and sought an immediate report from the CDA, according to a report published by Dawn on October 14, 2026. The Prime Minister’s Office reportedly contacted the authority following media coverage of the dispute.
HEC Paid Rs1.3 Billion for University Land
The dispute dates back to 2007–2008, when the HEC acquired approximately 250 acres in Islamabad’s Kuri area from the CDA for establishing two public-sector universities. According to published reports, the commission paid around Rs1.3 billion for the land.
The proposed institutions included the University of Engineering, Sciences and Technology and the National University of Law. However, the HEC was unable to obtain possession of the allocated land, reportedly because of encroachments and competing possession claims.
The issue became more complicated after the land was incorporated into Margalla Enclave, a joint housing development by the CDA and the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) in the Kuri area.
CDA’s Alternative Land Proposal Faces HEC Opposition
As the dispute continued, the CDA proposed relocating the university sites to Sector I-17 in Islamabad. However, the alternative allocation has become a major point of disagreement between the two sides.
According to recent media reports, the proposal involves 40 acres in total, comprising 25 acres for the engineering university and 15 acres for the law university. Other reports have described the offer as 25 acres, making the precise terms of the proposal an important detail requiring clarification.
HEC officials reportedly rejected the alternative, arguing that it was substantially smaller than the original 250-acre allocation. The commission has maintained that it should receive possession of the land originally acquired in Kuri or an appropriate alternative.
The CDA’s position, as reported in earlier coverage, is that educational institutions and land previously allocated for institutional purposes in Kuri are being relocated to Sector I-17 under an approved relocation policy.
Questions Over Margalla Enclave and University Development
The dispute has drawn attention to the balance between residential development and the provision of land for public educational institutions in Islamabad.
In March 2025, Dawn reported that the CDA planned to provide alternative land in Sector I-17 for the two universities after possession of the original Kuri land could not be secured.
However, the issue remains unresolved in the latest reports. The difference between the original allocation and the proposed replacement has raised questions about the adequacy of the alternative site and the future timeline for establishing the universities.
In August 2026, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the National Assembly that the CDA had not acquired land reserved for educational purposes in DHA-Margalla Enclave, according to Radio Pakistan. This earlier statement adds another dimension to the questions surrounding the land allocation and relocation arrangements.
Prime Minister Seeks Report as Dispute Continues
The Prime Minister’s request for a report has brought renewed attention to the long-running issue. The next steps will depend on the CDA’s explanation, the status of the proposed alternative allocation, and any further decisions by the relevant authorities.
A final resolution is yet to be confirmed in the reports reviewed. Clarification of the land records, the terms of the original allocation, and the proposed replacement would help establish how the university projects can move forward.
The outcome could have significant implications for the two planned institutions and the future use of the disputed land in Islamabad.
