Islamabad, January 14, 2026: A meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology was held at the Old PIPs Hall, Parliament Lodges, to examine and make recommendations on long-pending issues between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).
The meeting reviewed a wide-ranging agenda, including the initiation of water supply from Shah Allah Ditta and H-11 reservoirs under concluded agreements, sewerage treatment and wastewater flow into NUST in light of the Ombudsman’s decision, rationalization of water and allied charges, and settlement of matters related to land cost, annual ground rent, and building approvals.
The session was convened by Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan and attended by Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto and Senator Husna Bano, along with senior officials from CDA, NUST, and other relevant departments.
During the meeting, the Sub-Committee was informed that, in line with decisions taken in the previous session, CDA had started supplying 30,000 gallons of water per day to NUST. The Committee appreciated the efforts of the Director General (Water), CDA, in this regard.
The pending issue of the water pipeline in Sector F-12 also came under discussion. The Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) informed the Committee that it had already paid Rs200 million to CDA for the project and was awaiting its completion. After deliberations, the Sub-Committee recommended a joint site visit by concerned officers of CDA, NUST, and FGEHA to work out a viable solution.
The Committee was further briefed on the proposed construction of a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) to address wastewater management issues. FGEHA informed the meeting that a plot has been allocated in Sector G-14/1 for an STP to serve Sectors G-13 and G-14/4. However, encroachments have delayed the start of construction. It was stated that once the land is cleared, work on the project will be expedited on a priority basis to ensure environmental sustainability.
CDA officials informed the Sub-Committee that around 16 STPs have been approved across Islamabad and that STPs are planned in every sector of G-13. The Chief Engineer FGEHA assured the Committee that a survey of the area would be conducted to move the plan forward. The Sub-Committee also recommended a joint visit of FGEHA, CDA, and NUST to assess the sewerage situation in Sector H-13.
Regarding financial matters, the Sub-Committee was informed that issues related to the cost of land, peripheral development charges, and annual ground rent have been amicably reconciled, and CDA is awaiting formal approval from the relevant authorities. The Committee lauded the efforts of all concerned officers in achieving progress on these issues. However, it recommended that NUST should pay water conservancy charges to CDA.
The Sub-Committee also deliberated on the issue of construction without approval charges amounting to approximately Rs500 million. NUST officials stated that its layout plan was submitted to CDA in 2003 but was approved only in 2011, resulting in a backlog of payments. They added that out of 152 buildings, around 60 have been submitted to CDA for approval. In response, CDA officials said that the layout plan required approval from the Planning Directorate and that a feasible option could only be proposed after obtaining further details.
Expressing concern over prolonged delays, Convener Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan questioned why the approval process had remained pending for nine years. Highlighting the potential impact on students, he remarked that imposing heavy fines would ultimately burden students through increased fees. He directed CDA to find a practical and affordable solution and, if required, place the matter before the CDA Board.
Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto also urged CDA to adopt a flexible approach, emphasizing that NUST is an educational institution. The Convener further directed that representatives from all four relevant CDA departments involved in the delay be called, and that a representative from the CDA Planning Directorate be invited to the next meeting.
