ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved amendments to Islamabad’s Master Plan to resolve long-standing border disputes between the capital and Rawalpindi Cantonment Board . As part of this decision, several areas of Islamabad, including EME College and CMT Golra in Sector H-14, have been incorporated into RCB’s administrative jurisdiction.
The cabinet’s decision also redefines the city’s zoning boundaries, with significant implications for land acquisition and urban development. Sectors H-13, H-14, H-15, and H-17 have been excluded from Zone I of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and exempted from mandatory land acquisition. These areas will now be managed under special rules, reducing CDA’s authority in the region.
Green Zones Converted to Residential Areas
The southern portions of these sectors, earlier designated for institutional use, and northern areas reserved as green zones and buffer zones, have now been converted into residential sectors. The amendments aim to streamline urban growth and accommodate rising housing demands.
Srinagar Highway Adjustments
In a related development, the cabinet has also reduced the “right of way” for key avenues in the affected sectors. For instance:
The “right of way” on Srinagar Highway north of H-13 has been reduced from 1,200 feet to 800 feet.
13th Avenue between H-12 and H-13 has been narrowed from 600 feet to 300 feet.
The 600-foot-wide stretches of 14th Avenue and 15th Avenue in H-14 and H-15 have been abolished.
CDA Jurisdiction Reduced
As per the cabinet-approved summary, the western side of the railway line running through these sectors will now fall under RCB’s jurisdiction, while the eastern side will continue to be regulated by CDA under ICT Building Control Rules. Notably, buildings in H-13, including the unacquired 300-foot stretch along Srinagar Highway, may be regularized upon payment of prescribed fees.
Strategic Planning for Future Development
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting where the Ministry of Interior and CDA endorsed the proposals to amend the Master Plan. These changes aim to address governance overlaps while enabling efficient urban planning and resolving disputes between the two administrative entities.
The cabinet’s decision underscores a shift toward decentralization and flexible planning to meet Islamabad’s evolving needs, while balancing administrative interests with the region’s rapid urbanization.
