Guide
CDA Approved, Under Process, & Illegal Housing Societies List: Ultimate Investment Guide
By wajahat Ali
Real Estate Analyst
Updated 11 min read
Disclaimer: Real estate compliance data can change because of regulatory actions, litigation and updated approvals. Always verify the latest CDA records before initiating a financial transaction.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) regulates the planning and development of private housing schemes within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). CDA uses a two-step approval process: first the Layout Plan (LOP) is approved, and after the required formalities are completed, an NOC for development is issued.
Approval status must be checked for the exact society, phase or extension. A project name alone is not enough because different phases can have different LOP and NOC statuses.
What is the Current Status of Housing Societies in Islamabad?
CDA regulates private housing schemes primarily in Zones 2, 4 and 5 of Islamabad, as well as permitted schemes in Sector E-11. Housing-scheme status can include an approved LOP with an issued NOC, an approved LOP without an issued NOC, or a cancelled/not-issued approval status.
For buyers, the important distinction is between LOP status and NOC status. An approved LOP does not automatically mean that an NOC has been issued. Always check both fields in CDA's current housing-schemes records.
Which Housing Societies Have CDA-Issued NOCs?
The following are examples of schemes or phases for which CDA currently records an approved LOP and an issued or approved NOC:
- Gulberg Greens Farm Housing Scheme: Located in Zone 4. CDA lists its LOP as approved and NOC as issued.
- Gulberg Residencia (IBECHS Phase III): A separate scheme from Gulberg Greens, located in Zone 5. CDA lists its LOP as approved and NOC as issued.
- Multi Gardens Phase I: Located in Zone 2, with an approved LOP and issued NOC.
- Multi Gardens Phase II: Also located in Zone 2, with an approved LOP and issued NOC.
- Park View City Housing Scheme: Located in Zone 4. CDA records an approved LOP and approved NOC.
- Naval Anchorage: Located in Zone 5, with an approved LOP and issued NOC.
- CBR Town: Located in Zone 5, with an approved LOP and issued NOC.
- Cabinet Division Employees Co-operative Housing Society: Located in Zone 2, with an approved LOP and issued NOC.
- Bahria Town Phase II, III, V & VI: CDA lists this phase grouping in Zone 5, with an approved LOP and issued NOC.
- Bahria Town Phase VII-E: CDA lists this scheme in Zone 5, with an approved LOP and issued NOC.
Gulberg Greens and Gulberg Residencia are separate CDA-listed schemes. Gulberg Greens Farm Housing Scheme is in Zone 4, while Gulberg Residencia is in Zone 5.
Which Housing Schemes Have an Approved LOP but No Current Issued NOC?
An approved Layout Plan is an important regulatory step, but buyers should not treat it as equivalent to an issued NOC. CDA's current records show several schemes where the LOP is approved while the NOC is not issued.
Examples include:
- Bahria Enclave Phase I Housing Scheme: Zone 4 — LOP approved; NOC not issued.
- Bahria Garden City: Zone 5 — LOP approved; NOC not issued.
- Bahria Town Phase III-E & IV: Zone 5 — LOP approved; NOC not issued.
- Bahria Town Phase VII: Zone 5 — LOP approved; NOC not issued.
- Army Welfare Trust: Zone 5 — LOP approved; NOC not issued.
- Faisal Residencia Housing Scheme: Zone 2 — LOP approved; NOC not issued.
- Margalla View Housing Scheme: Zone 2 — LOP approved; NOC not issued.
- National Cooperative Housing Society & New Islamabad Enclave: Zone 5 — LOP approved; NOC not issued.
The exact status should always be rechecked before a booking, transfer or purchase because CDA can update regulatory records.
Which Housing Societies Have Cancelled or Unissued Approvals?
Some schemes in CDA's records have a cancelled LOP, cancelled NOC or no issued NOC. These should not be grouped together with schemes holding a current issued NOC.
Examples in CDA's current records include:
- AGOCHS Phase I: Zone 5 — LOP cancelled; NOC not issued.
- AGOCHS Phase II: Zone 5 — LOP approved; NOC cancelled.
- Khayaban-e-Kashmir Phase II: Zone 5 — LOP cancelled; NOC not issued.
- National Police Foundation: Zone 2 — LOP approved; NOC cancelled.
- New Islamabad Garden: Zone 2 — LOP approved; NOC cancelled.
- Soan Garden Housing Scheme: Zone 5 — LOP approved; NOC cancelled.
- National Assembly Employees Cooperative Housing Society: Zone 5 — LOP cancelled; NOC not issued.
A cancelled NOC is materially different from an issued NOC, even where an LOP remains approved. Buyers should therefore read the current LOP and NOC fields separately.
How Do CDA Housing Scheme Approvals Work?
CDA's approval framework is based on separate regulatory stages.
Layout Plan Approval
The Layout Plan or LOP is the first major planning approval. It establishes the approved layout of the housing scheme under the applicable CDA planning framework.
An approved LOP should not be described as a final NOC. CDA's own housing-scheme database displays LOP and NOC as separate status fields.
No Objection Certificate
After the required formalities are completed, CDA can issue the scheme's NOC for development. Buyers comparing housing schemes should therefore check whether the official record says:
- LOP approved and NOC issued;
- LOP approved but NOC not issued;
- NOC cancelled;
- LOP cancelled; or
- another provisional or current status recorded by CDA.
Why Phase-Level Verification Matters
Large housing developments can appear in CDA records as separate phases or phase groupings. This means one phase can have an issued NOC while another phase under the same brand does not.
Bahria Town is a clear example. CDA currently records:
| CDA-listed Bahria scheme | Zone | LOP | NOC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahria Town Phase II, III, V & VI | Zone 5 | Approved | Issued |
| Bahria Town Phase III-E & IV | Zone 5 | Approved | Not issued |
| Bahria Town Phase VII | Zone 5 | Approved | Not issued |
| Bahria Town Phase VII-E | Zone 5 | Approved | Issued |
| Bahria Garden City | Zone 5 | Approved | Not issued |
| Bahria Enclave Phase I | Zone 4 | Approved | Not issued |
| Bahria Enclave II Agro Farming Scheme | Zone 4 | Approved | Issued |
| Bahria Enclave II Phase II Housing Scheme | Zone 4 | Approved | Issued |
This is why buyers should verify the exact phase, rather than relying on a general statement that an entire housing brand is approved or unapproved.
CDA Zone and Approval Verification Matrix
| Society / Scheme | CDA Zone | Current CDA Status |
|---|---|---|
| Gulberg Greens Farm Housing Scheme | Zone 4 | LOP approved; NOC issued |
| Gulberg Residencia (IBECHS Phase III) | Zone 5 | LOP approved; NOC issued |
| Multi Gardens Phase I | Zone 2 | LOP approved; NOC issued |
| Multi Gardens Phase II | Zone 2 | LOP approved; NOC issued |
| Park View City Housing Scheme | Zone 4 | LOP approved; NOC approved |
| Naval Anchorage | Zone 5 | LOP approved; NOC issued |
| CBR Town | Zone 5 | LOP approved; NOC issued |
| Cabinet Division Employees Co-operative Housing Society | Zone 2 | LOP approved; NOC issued |
| Bahria Town Phase II, III, V & VI | Zone 5 | LOP approved; NOC issued |
| Bahria Town Phase III-E & IV | Zone 5 | LOP approved; NOC not issued |
| Bahria Town Phase VII | Zone 5 | LOP approved; NOC not issued |
| Bahria Town Phase VII-E | Zone 5 | LOP approved; NOC issued |
| Bahria Enclave Phase I | Zone 4 | LOP approved; NOC not issued |
| Soan Garden Housing Scheme | Zone 5 | LOP approved; NOC cancelled |
How Should Buyers Verify a CDA Housing Society?
Before purchasing property, verify the scheme directly against CDA's current housing-schemes records.
- Search for the exact housing-scheme name.
- Confirm the CDA zone shown for the scheme.
- Check the LOP status separately.
- Check the NOC status separately.
- Confirm that the phase, extension or block being marketed matches the scheme shown in CDA's records.
- Review any notices or regulatory documents displayed for the scheme.
- Recheck the status immediately before making a major payment or completing a property transfer.
This is especially important for projects with multiple phases because approval of one phase should not be assumed to apply automatically to another.
Cross-Jurisdictional Status Matrix
Housing projects around Islamabad and Rawalpindi can fall under different regulatory jurisdictions. A project marketed using "Islamabad" in its name does not automatically fall under CDA.
| Regulatory Situation | What Buyers Should Check | Buyer Risk |
|---|---|---|
| CDA LOP approved + NOC issued | Verify the exact scheme and phase in CDA records | Lower regulatory uncertainty |
| CDA LOP approved + NOC not issued | Confirm current NOC status before purchasing | Higher regulatory uncertainty |
| CDA NOC cancelled | Review the current CDA record and notices before any transaction | Significant regulatory concern |
| RDA/other-authority project | Verify with the authority responsible for the actual land location | Depends on exact jurisdiction |
| No matching approval for marketed land | Do not assume approval from the project name alone | High verification risk |
Projects located outside ICT should be checked with the authority responsible for that jurisdiction rather than being treated as CDA-approved simply because they are marketed as Islamabad projects.
Moreover, for a detailed comparison of CDA and RDA jurisdictions, approval processes, and regulatory powers, read the comprehensive guide available on Milkiyat.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I verify if an Islamabad housing society is legally approved?
Check the housing scheme through CDA's official housing-schemes records and verify the exact project or phase. Review both the LOP and NOC fields because an approved LOP does not automatically mean that an NOC has been issued.
Can a society approved by the RDA be considered CDA approved in Islamabad?
No. RDA and CDA regulate different jurisdictions. Approval by RDA does not itself constitute CDA approval for land inside the Islamabad Capital Territory. Buyers should verify the authority responsible for the exact location of the property.
What happens if I buy property in a scheme with an approved LOP but no issued NOC?
An approved LOP means the layout has reached an important planning stage, but CDA treats LOP approval and NOC issuance as separate steps. Buyers should verify the current NOC status and any regulatory notices before committing funds.
Are Gulberg Greens and Gulberg Residencia in the same CDA zone?
No. CDA currently lists Gulberg Greens Farm Housing Scheme in Zone 4 and Gulberg Residencia (IBECHS Phase III) in Zone 5. Both currently show approved LOPs and issued NOCs, but they are separate CDA-listed schemes.
Are all Bahria Town phases in Islamabad CDA approved?
No single approval status applies to every CDA-listed Bahria scheme. CDA currently lists Phase II, III, V & VI and Phase VII-E with issued NOCs, while Phase III-E & IV and Phase VII show approved LOPs but NOCs not issued. Bahria Enclave phases also have their own separate records.
Is Bahria Enclave Phase I fully NOC approved?
CDA currently lists Bahria Enclave Phase I in Zone 4 with an approved LOP but NOC not issued. Buyers should therefore not describe Phase I as holding a currently issued CDA NOC.
Is Soan Garden currently shown with an issued CDA NOC?
No. CDA currently lists Soan Garden Housing Scheme in Zone 5 with an approved LOP and a cancelled NOC. Buyers should check the latest CDA record before making a transaction.
Why should I check both LOP and NOC status?
CDA uses a two-step approval framework. LOP approval comes first, while the NOC is issued after subsequent formalities are completed. Looking only at the LOP can therefore give an incomplete picture of a scheme's regulatory status.