The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board is set to take up draft regulations to govern recognised katchi abadis in Islamabad, a move aimed at establishing a formal framework for managing informal settlements in the federal capital in line with Supreme Court directions.

The development was disclosed by Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the federal minister for interior and narcotics control, in a written reply submitted to the National Assembly of Pakistan. The proposed regulations are expected to affect residents of officially recognised katchi abadis once approved by the CDA Board.

According to the reply, draft regulations have already been prepared and are now being placed before the Capital Development Authority Board for approval, in compliance with instructions issued by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The minister told the House that 10 katchi abadis were formally recognised in Islamabad between 1995 and 2004 for upgradation, rehabilitation or relocation, based on ground realities at the time. Of these, seven recognised settlements remain at their original locations, while the others were either relocated or ceased to exist following earlier government decisions.

He added that the CDA’s Katchi Abadi Cell has not conducted any fresh survey of these settlements in recent years, with the current status based on assessments and decisions taken during the 1995–2004 period.

The reply also outlined past federal government approvals related to katchi abadis located in sensitive areas. These included decisions by prime ministers and the then chief executive for relocation, allotment of plots in sectors such as G-8/1, and large-scale relocation initiatives in Farash, G-7 and F-7. In some cases, cabinet approvals allowed plot allotments at existing locations.

Officials said the draft regulations, once approved, would provide a clearer and more consistent regulatory framework for recognised katchi abadis in Islamabad.