ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is moving towards excluding the Naya Pakistan Housing & Development Authority (NPHDA) from the long-stalled Nilore Heights housing project after repeated delays and financial setbacks that have crippled progress.
Originally launched in 2021 under the name Farash Town Apartments and later rebranded as Nilore Heights, the project carried a staggering cost of Rs 31 billion with over 4,000 apartments planned in two phases. Phase one, comprising 2,400 small units, had reached the grey structure stage, but work soon came to a halt amid disputes over funding and responsibilities between CDA and NPHDA.
According to CDA officials, the NPHDA failed to meet its financial commitments under the agreement, leaving the authority struggling to keep the project afloat. The officials added that unless NPHDA fulfills its obligations, CDA may seek approval from the federal government to proceed independently and sell the apartments through open market mechanisms rather than reserving them for low-income beneficiaries as originally planned.
The Nilore Heights project was envisioned as part of the government’s broader affordable housing drive. However, CDA insiders suggest that working without NPHDA may be the only viable option left to prevent further erosion of public trust, especially as allottees continue to face uncertainty and long delays.
If CDA’s move gains federal approval, the exclusion of NPHDA could mark a significant shift in how major housing projects are handled in the capital—potentially prioritizing project delivery over affordability commitments. The coming weeks are expected to be crucial in determining whether NPHDA remains on board or is completely sidelined from the housing scheme.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.