18/05/2026
The Islamabad High Court on Monday issued notices to the Capital Development Authority over intra-court appeals filed by 20 apartment sub-lessees of the multi-billion-rupee One Constitution Avenue project, as residents seek legal protection for their possession rights following the cancellation of the project’s lease.
A division bench comprising Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas directed the CDA to submit its response by Wednesday while hearing appeals filed by apartment owners, including former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani and former air chief Mujahid Anwar Khan.
During the hearing, counsel for the appellants argued that paragraph 30 of a recent single-bench verdict negatively impacted the rights of apartment owners despite the court previously recognising their possession and occupancy.
The petitioners maintained that residential Towers B and C of One Constitution Avenue were constructed according to the approved layout plan and that the CDA itself had appointed its Director of Estates as administrator of the project after the lease was cancelled in 2023.
According to the residents’ counsel, a management committee supervised by the CDA had also been formed to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the residential towers, where residents have been living legally under arrangements approved by the authority.
Advocate Ali Raza, representing the apartment owners, urged the court to grant interim protection, arguing that nearly 200 residents had invested heavily in the luxury apartments.
“The apartment owners have paid the money. Around 200 people living there have paid for these apartments and have rights,” the counsel argued before the bench.
He also informed the court that a committee constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was reviewing the matter amid fears that residents could face renewed eviction attempts after Eid if no interim relief was granted.
During the proceedings, Justice Raja Inaam remarked, “You want to spend Eid there,” prompting counsel to respond that the residents were only seeking protection for their homes and investments.
