In a strong reaction to the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) recent move, the Islamabad Real Estate Agent Association has categorically rejected the 200 per cent increase in property transfer fees. The decision was announced during a press conference held at the National Press Club on Tuesday July 08,2025.
Led by Association President Sardar Tahir Mehmood, and joined by real estate leaders Chaudhry Abdul Rauf, Atif Jameel Butt, and Zahid Rafiq, the delegation termed the hike “unjustified, anti-business, and burdensome on the public.”
“On One Side Incentives, On the Other—Heavy Burdens”
Speaking to the media, Sardar Tahir criticized the inconsistency in government policy, highlighting that while the federal government had reduced several taxes in the latest budget to stimulate business activity, the CDA had “arbitrarily imposed a threefold increase in transfer fees,” thereby discouraging investment in the real estate sector.
“If this decision is not reversed,” warned Tahir, “we will stage a protest outside CDA headquarters on July 22, and this movement will continue until the notification is withdrawn.”
The realtors further emphasized that the burden of this sudden fee hike will not just impact property buyers and sellers, but will ripple across related sectors—builders, developers, contractors, and thousands employed in allied industries.
Key Concerns Raised by Realtors:
- ❌ Difficulty in getting building plans approved
- ❌ Delays in obtaining No Demand Certificates (NDCs)
- ❌ Rise in bureaucratic hurdles and red tape culture
- ❌ Heavy taxation despite promises of pro-business reforms
“Committees Can’t Be a Substitute for Action”
Reacting to the formation of a seven-member committee by the CDA to review the issue, Sardar Tahir expressed skepticism, stating:
“In Pakistan, many issues are deliberately delayed in the name of committees. What we need is immediate withdrawal of this unjust increase.”
The committee, headed by Member Finance CDA Tahir Naeem Akhtar, includes officials from the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and members of the real estate committee. It has been tasked with reviewing the revised fee structure, identifying stakeholder challenges, and proposing practical reforms.
CDA’s Justification & Way Forward
According to CDA’s Estate Management Directorate, the transfer fee increase was implemented after board approval in July. Officials argue that the hike aligns with market dynamics and is essential for generating revenue for civic development.
The committee will also explore alternative revenue models, including adjustments in property taxes and other municipal charges—suggesting that a broader fiscal reform may be on the horizon.
🏗️ Realtors United for Reform
The Islamabad Real Estate Agent Association has made it clear that unless meaningful dialogue leads to an immediate rollback, the real estate community will mobilize. July 22 may mark the beginning of a larger protest movement, aimed at protecting investor confidence and public interest.
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