| Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has lifted stay orders imposed on the long-stalled Kuri Model Village, giving the green light to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to commence development work, according to news published on September 22.
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CDA Spokesperson Syed Safdar Shah disclosed that the lengthy legal ordeal surrounding the Kuri Model Village project traces its origins back to 2010. It was during this year that the CDA initially unveiled the Built-Up Property (BuP) award as part of a comprehensive agreement with the Kuri villagers. However, the project encountered legal obstacles in 2013, leading to a series of court-issued stay orders from the Islamabad High Court (IHC), effectively stalling any further progress.
After years of courtroom battles, a division bench of the IHC eventually lifted all the existing stay orders, directing the CDA to kickstart development activities within a month. The Kuri Model Village initiative, spanning an expansive 32,000 acres across the Kuri, Majohan, and Rehala revenue estates, holds substantial potential, akin to roughly four residential sectors within Islamabad.
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Despite having acquired the land in 1968 and announcing the BuP award in 1971, the CDA had not taken physical possession of the land. This added complexity to the situation, as a surge in land occupancy claims emerged. Allegations of fraudulent claims even prompted an investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which subsequently cleared 34,222 ownership cases.
In the wake of the recent decision by the IHC, the CDA now faces the formidable task of expeditiously resolving issues with affected landowners. It is imperative for them to ensure the successful completion of the project, with the aim of preventing any potential future controversies. This development represents a significant stride toward addressing Islamabad’s housing requirements and unlocking the Kuri Model Village’s considerable potential. |
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