The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has sealed Bari Imam House in Islamabad as part of its ongoing anti-encroachment campaign aimed at recovering government-owned land across the federal capital. The operation was conducted on Friday, October 30, 2026, by a joint team comprising officials from the Islamabad district administration and the CDA Enforcement Directorate, according to a report by Daily Times.
According to the CDA Planning Wing, the building was constructed on government-owned land and had been identified for action under the authority's anti-encroachment drive. Officials described the sealing as an initial enforcement measure, indicating that further legal or administrative action may follow.
The CDA has previously conducted anti-encroachment operations in the surrounding area, targeting illegal structures and settlements near Bari Imam House. However, the main building had not been sealed during earlier operations, making the latest action a significant development in the authority's land recovery efforts.
The wider Bari Imam and Noorpur Shahan areas have witnessed several enforcement operations this year, resulting in the removal of multiple settlements around the shrine. In September, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) launched an inquiry into whether compensation cases had been settled before an earlier anti-encroachment operation. The agency also sought land acquisition records from the CDA to examine the matter. At the time, a CDA official assured that the authority would provide the required information.
The latest operation follows a series of enforcement measures across Islamabad. On October 26, the CDA issued notices to 126 housing schemes declared illegal and sealed the offices of nine such schemes. The authority also issued a notice regarding building violations at a residential property in Sector G-6.
The action highlights the CDA's continued efforts to address encroachments and violations involving public land. For property buyers and investors, the development underscores the importance of conducting proper due diligence before purchasing real estate. Verifying ownership documents, checking land acquisition records, and confirming CDA approvals are essential steps to avoid potential legal disputes, sealing, or demolition of properties built on government-owned land.
