Investigation: Rehara & Kurri Land Acquisition and Resident Relocation

Overview

Margalla Enclave sits in the Kuri area of Zone IV, Islamabad, where villages already existed before the project was announced. At the first ballot in February 2025, officials said about 1,000 residents of Rehara and Kurri would be relocated and compensated. Villagers later protested over compensation, a model village and a land record error. A separate dispute concerns 250 acres that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) says it bought for two public universities. This guide separates what published reports say from the questions that remain unanswered, and explains what plot buyers can verify.

For the project's location, approvals and general legal context, read the Margalla Enclave Islamabad guide. This article focuses specifically on reported village relocation, land records and the HEC claim.

Buyers comparing available properties can review Margalla Enclave plots for sale. The listings do not establish whether any particular plot is affected by a dispute; confirm that directly with DHA and the relevant land authorities.

1. The timeline on the public record

The earliest agreement date above comes from villagers' account reported in the press. We did not find a CDA or DHA document confirming the agreement or setting out its terms. The timeline records reported events, not proof that every commitment was completed.

2. What the villagers demanded

According to The News, the January 2025 protest, led by local notables Rashid Kiani and Jamil Khokar, included these demands:

• A revised layout plan for the model village that reflects earlier promises.
• A timeline for roads, water and electricity in the model village.
• Compensation for affected families before CDA takes possession of homes and land.
• Immediate allotment of promised plots.
• Rehabilitation of displaced families within three months.
• Greater transparency and accountability from CDA.

The protesters also said they would not allow plots to be sold until their demands were met. Balloting nevertheless went ahead in February 2025, November 2025 and September 2026. We found no public report confirming how the protest was resolved or whether all the demands were met. That distinction matters: the continuation of balloting does not, by itself, establish that the relocation and compensation questions have been settled.

3. The reported land record error

One grievance concerned Raiyara land recorded as 56 kanals when villagers said the correct figure should have been 356 kanals.

Milkiyat.com calculation based on the reported figures:

• Difference: 356 minus 56 equals 300 kanals.
• Scale of understatement: 356 divided by 56 is approximately 6.4 times.
• Compared with the commonly quoted 10,000-kanal Phase I area, 300 kanals would be about 3%, if the figures use a comparable kanal measurement.

The last comparison is only an indication of scale. Village revenue records and a housing scheme's plot measurements may not use exactly the same basis. We also could not confirm whether the Raiyara record has since been corrected. Buyers should therefore treat the figures as a reported grievance, not as a verified survey or a confirmed boundary adjustment.

4. What remains unconfirmed

In the reports reviewed for this article, we could not find:

• The compensation amounts paid or promised.
• The number of affected families, distinct from the estimate of about 1,000 residents.
• A confirmed completion date for relocation or the model village.
• Confirmation that the Raiyara record was corrected.
• A CDA or DHA statement explaining how the January 2025 protest was resolved.

The project area is also described inconsistently. Phase I is commonly reported as about 10,000 kanals, while a more recent report describes the broader scheme as around 18,000 kanals. These figures may refer to different boundaries or project scopes. Without an authoritative map and explanation, they should not be treated as directly comparable.

Missing information does not prove wrongdoing, nor does it prove that every plot is affected. It means buyers should avoid relying on broad assurances and seek written answers about the specific plot, its sector and its possession status.

5. The HEC land dispute

A separate issue was reported on 14 October 2026. Daily Pakistan reported that HEC bought about 250 acres in Kuri from CDA in 2007, reportedly for more than Rs1 billion, to build two public universities. The universities were not built because HEC could not take possession, and the land later became part of Margalla Enclave, according to that report.

The report states that:

• CDA offered HEC an alternative in Sector I-17 described in different parts of the reporting as either 25 acres or 40 acres. HEC rejected the offer and sought the original land or an equivalent parcel.
• Local encroachment and adverse-possession claims reportedly delayed the original handover.
• The Auditor General had raised the matter earlier, and the Public Accounts Committee took it up in June 2026.
• The Prime Minister asked CDA for a report on the matter in October 2026.
• Relocation plans also involved other institutions. The report says CDA allotted the Supreme Court 28 acres in Kuri but earmarked 50 acres in I-17.

The reported area comparisons are straightforward, but they do not settle the legal issue. An offer of 25 acres equals 10% of 250 acres; 40 acres equals 16%. The reported 50-acre I-17 allocation for the Supreme Court is about 1.8 times the 28 acres reported for Kuri. These comparisons describe area only, not whether parcels are equivalent in location, value, legal status or suitability.

The report also says CDA receives about 55% of developed plots under the joint venture, while DHA handles development. The full implications of the HEC claim for individual plot boundaries are not established by the reports reviewed.

6. What this means for plot buyers

The reports are not proof that a particular plot is at risk, but they are not proof that every plot is free of claims either.

What the public record shows: balloting has continued across three rounds, and possession has reportedly been delivered on selected streets in ME-2. The reports reviewed for this article do not describe a court order stopping the ballots.

What it does not show: whether a specific sector, street or plot is affected by a village claim or an institutional claim. The material reviewed did not include a public block-level land-status map resolving those questions.

What buyers can do: disputes may delay development in affected areas, create overlapping claims or complicate future approvals. An earlier comparison with Margalla Orchards also identified village relocation and compensation as open issues.

Before paying, take these steps:

1. Ask DHA in writing for the plot's possession status and whether any reported claim affects its specific location.
2. Review approvals using the guide to NOC, EIA and the CDA–DHA joint venture.
3. Verify the file and seller using the guide to file verification and scams.
4. Allow for uncertainty in your budget. Treat expected possession and development dates as estimates unless confirmed in writing.
5. Keep a record of the DHA response, seller documents, payment receipts and any statement about outstanding dues.

Do not rely on a verbal assurance from an agent as a substitute for confirmation from the relevant authority. If the written response is unclear or the transaction involves a substantial amount, consider advice from a qualified property lawyer.

7. Where to compare other options

Buyers who want to compare different locations can review property for sale across Islamabad. Those looking for a completed home rather than a plot can browse houses for sale in Islamabad.

We will update this report if CDA, DHA or another relevant public authority publishes new details about compensation, the model village, the Raiyara record or the HEC claim.

Frequently asked questions

Are Rehara and Kurri residents being relocated?

Officials said at the February 2025 ballot that about 1,000 residents would be relocated and compensated. The reports reviewed did not confirm that relocation was completed.

Has compensation been paid?

We could not find published figures confirming how much compensation was paid or promised. Villagers demanded compensation before CDA took possession.

Does the land dispute affect my plot?

The reports do not identify specific plots or sectors as affected. Ask DHA in writing about your plot's status and keep the response with your purchase documents.

What is the HEC land dispute?

According to the October 2026 report, HEC says it bought about 250 acres in Kuri for two universities but could not take possession. CDA reportedly offered a smaller alternative in Sector I-17, which HEC rejected.

Are Margalla Enclave plots still being sold?

The reports reviewed say three ballots took place and resale plots were listed. This does not confirm the availability or legal status of any individual plot. Verify current details directly with DHA and the seller.

Sources

• Daily Pakistan, 14 October 2026: HEC land dispute
• Margalla Enclave Plots: possession information

Disclaimer: Milkiyat.com provides property-related information for general informational and research purposes only. Prices, availability, development status, approvals, charges and other market information may change. Readers should independently verify ownership, documentation, approvals, NOCs, possession status, outstanding dues and charges with DHA Islamabad, CDA and qualified professionals before making any property or investment decision.