CDA Approves 37 Building Projects Across Islamabad
Seven Design Vetting Committee meetings reviewed 42 projects during 2026, with 37 approved covering 6.69 million square feet and comprising 1,981 flats, 721 commercial units and 362 office units, according to CDA.
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has approved 37 building projects with a combined covered area of more than 6.69 million square feet across Islamabad Capital Territory during 2026, according to an official statement issued on Monday.
37 Projects Approved
The CDA said its Building and Housing Control Wing reviewed 42 projects during seven meetings of the Design Vetting Committee (DVC), approving 37 of them.
The projects cover a broad mix of development, including commercial buildings, apartment complexes, mixed-use developments, office units and hostel facilities. The approved portfolio also includes five mosques and one school building.
According to figures released by the authority, the projects collectively comprise 721 commercial units or shops, 1,981 residential units or flats and 362 office units.
The scale of the approved construction is significant. The combined covered area of 6,690,580 square feet is equivalent to roughly 153.6 acres of floor space, although covered floor area should not be confused with the actual land area occupied by the projects.
CDA Highlights Regulatory Process
CDA said the pace of approvals reflects its effort to facilitate Islamabad’s construction industry, encourage investment and promote professional standards in development.
The Design Vetting Committee plays a regulatory role in scrutinising building proposals. CDA’s official description of its Planning and Design Wing states that its Architecture Directorate provides advice on private-sector building designs during the DVC process, including input related to bylaws and policy.
The approvals, however, should not be interpreted as meaning that all 37 projects have been constructed or completed. Building development can involve further regulatory requirements and subsequent compliance stages. CDA itself advises property buyers to check matters including building completion certification, sanctioned areas and the approved number of units when verifying properties.
CDA said it is seeking to make procedures for building-plan approvals, completion certificates and other housing-sector regulatory permissions easier while maintaining public safety and security requirements.
Official CDA material confirms that Islamabad’s building-control framework includes the ICT Building Control Regulations 2020, as amended in 2023, covering areas such as parking, building parameters and fire and disaster-management requirements.
For private housing and commercial schemes, CDA also maintains regulatory approval mechanisms under the CDA Ordinance and ICT zoning framework. Its official records distinguish between different approval stages, an important consideration for prospective buyers and investors.
The detailed figures for the 37 projects — including the number of flats, shops, offices and total covered area — are based on CDA’s August 10 press release and have not been independently audited by Islamabad Tribune.
