# Islamabad sectors and zones: which are CDA sectors and which are private schemes

URL: https://which.pk/property/guides/islamabad-zones-sectors-cda/
Author: Ahtisham
Updated: 25 Oct 2026

## Summary

Islamabad's 1992 zoning regulation splits the capital into five zones and lists Zone 2's sectors only up to the 17 series, so there is no CDA sector E-18 or D-18. The one CDA entry naming D-18/E-18, Engineers Co-operative, had a 2005 layout plan but no NOC as of 25 October 2026. Zone 1 sectors are developed by CDA; Zone 2 sectors such as D-17, E-16 and G-15 are built by private schemes, each with its own CDA status.

## Key facts

- Zones in Islamabad: 5, under the ICT Zoning Regulation 1992
- Zone 2 sectors: Up to the 17 series; no D-18 or E-18
- Engineers Co-op 'D-18/E-18': Layout approved 2005, no NOC (Oct 2026)
- Private schemes allowed in: Zones 2, 4, 5 and Sector E-11

Is E-18 CDA approved? **There is no CDA sector called E-18.** Islamabad's 1992 zoning regulation lists the Zone 2 sectors only up to the 17 series (B-17, C-17, D-17, E-17 and so on). The one entry on CDA's list that names D-18/E-18 is **Engineers Co-operative**, whose layout plan was approved in 2005 but which had **no NOC** (no-objection certificate) when we checked on 25 October 2026.

A sector name on an advert tells you where a plot is, not who built it or whether it is approved. In Islamabad, some sectors are developed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) itself, and others are built by private housing schemes that CDA approves one by one. This page explains the zones and gives the CDA status of the private schemes in the sectors people ask about most.

## What are Islamabad's five zones?

The ICT (Zoning) Regulation, 1992 divides Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) into five zones. Each zone has different rules on who may develop land.

| Zone | What it covers (1992 regulation) | Who develops housing |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | The sectors up to the G.T. Road alignment, including H-14 to H-17 and I-14 to I-17 | CDA acquires and develops the land; no private schemes, except in Sector E-11 |
| Zone 2 | Between G.T. Road and Shahrah-e-Kashmir, to the capital limits in the west: G-15 (part), G-16, G-17, F-15 (part), F-16, F-17, E-15 (part), E-16, E-17, D-16, D-17, C-17 and B-17 | Private schemes, laid out as standard sectors, with CDA approval |
| Zone 3 | Margalla Hills National Park, protected ranges and forest | No new housing schemes |
| Zone 4 | Islamabad Park and the rural area between Murree Road and Lehtrar Road, beyond Simly Dam Road | Private and farm housing schemes allowed since 2010 |
| Zone 5 | South of Islamabad Park to the ICT limits | Private schemes, with CDA approval |

CDA's housing-schemes page confirms private schemes are allowed in Zones 2 and 5 (since 1992), in Sector E-11, and in Zone 4 (since 2010). Since 7 July 2023 they are governed by a newer CDA regulation for Zones 2, 4 and 5 (S.R.O 886(I)/2023).

## What is the difference between a CDA sector and a private scheme?

In Zone 1, the regulation says CDA acquires land in phases and develops it to the Master Plan. In Zone 2, private sponsors buy land and must lay out each scheme like a standard CDA sector, at least 200 acres, with CDA-approved layout, services and building plans, at their own cost.

A private scheme needs two approvals from CDA before it may develop or sell plots:

**CDA doesn't check transfers in private schemes:** CDA's own page says allotment and transfer of plots in private schemes are made by the sponsors "without any check or involvement of CDA". Co-operative societies are registered with ICT's Registrar of Co-operative Societies, and private companies are regulated by SECP.

## Which private schemes are in each sector, and are they CDA approved?

The sector names come from CDA's PDF of approved schemes in Zone 2, Zone 5 and E-11 (January 2025). The status comes from CDA's live scheme pages on 25 October 2026, which we follow where the two differ.

| Sector | Scheme | CDA status (25 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| D-18 / E-18 | Engineers Co-operative (4,298 kanal; CDA lists it in Zone 5, "Specified Area") | Layout approved 28 May 2005; **NOC not issued** |
| D-17 | Margalla View Housing Scheme (1,912.02 kanal) | Revised layout approved 1 Jan 2021; NOC first issued 2002, **revised NOC not yet issued** |
| D-17 | Margalla View Housing Scheme (Extension) (292.25 kanal) | Layout approved 6 Apr 2026; NOC issued |
| D-16 / D-17 | Engineers Housing Scheme (1,156.29 kanal) | Layout approved 2008; **NOC issued 8 Nov 2010** |
| E-16 / E-17 | Cabinet Division Employees CHS (4,405 kanal) | Layout approved 2004; **NOC issued 13 Oct 2004** |
| E-16 | Roshan Pakistan Corporation Housing Scheme (1,619 kanal) | **Layout and NOC cancelled** 1 May 2017 |
| E-17 | Faisal Residencia (1,220.60 kanal) | Layout approved 29 Mar 2022; **NOC not issued** |
| G-15 / F-15 | Khayaban-e-Kashmir Phase-I (3,482.62 kanal) | Layout approved 2002; **NOC issued 13 May 2004** |
| F-16 | Khayaban-e-Kashmir Phase-II (1,345 kanal) | **Layout withdrawn** 9 Aug 2018 |
| G-16 | Ministry of Interior Employees CHS (1,630 kanal) | NOC issued 7 Oct 2010, "intact" under court orders |
| G-17 | Supreme Court Employees Housing Scheme (2,222.06 kanal) | **NOC issued 25 Mar 2022** |
| F-16 / F-17 / G-17 | Paradise City (1,900 kanal) | **NOC issued 18 Mar 2022** |
| F-17 | Tele Gardens (1,757.65 kanal) and T&T Employees CHS (1,194.7 kanal) | **NOC issued** for both |
| A-17 / B-17 | [Multi Gardens Phase-I](/property/islamabad/b-17-islamabad/) (4,815.75 kanal) | **NOC issued 30 Jan 2008** |
| C-17 | New Islamabad Garden (800 kanal) | **NOC cancelled** 13 Jun 2007 |
| E-11 | Islamabad Gardens (811.50 kanal) | NOC issued 23 Aug 2005 |
| E-11 | National Police Foundation (1,325 kanal) | NOC cancelled 29 Nov 2008; CDA's 2025 PDF says the Islamabad High Court suspended the cancellation |
| E-11 | Federation of Employees, Pakistan Medical CHS, Services CHS | **Layout plans cancelled** (2010, 2016, 2022) |

Our tables show only CDA's record. Several of these schemes also carry recent show cause notices on their CDA pages, such as Engineers Housing Scheme (16 December 2025). Open the scheme's page for the documents before you buy.

## What about plots marketed as E-18?

If you see a plot advertised as E-18, remember that the regulation's Zone 2 list stops at the 17 series, and CDA's list doesn't use E-18 as a sector name except in the Engineers Co-operative entry. Ask the seller which scheme the plot is in, then search that scheme's name on CDA's list.

Some schemes have only part of what they need. **Gulshan-e-Sehat** (Zone 5, GT Road, 1,748 kanal) shows layout approved and an NOC for development issued on 9 December 2010. CDA's remark adds that its sponsors "shall obtain formal NOC from concerned Local Development Agency". Multi Gardens Phase-II carries the same remark. Ask the sponsor for that second NOC.

## Is H-13 a CDA sector?

H-13 lies in Zone 1, where the regulation says land is acquired and developed by CDA and private schemes aren't allowed. In February 2019 CDA again banned residential and commercial construction and plot sales in H-13, Zameen News reported, and said it intended to acquire the area. We found no newer CDA decision on H-13.

## Are PECHS and PWD CDA approved?

Neither appears on CDA's approved or illegal list as of 25 October 2026. **PECHS** (Pakistan Employees Co-operative Housing Society) on Fateh Jang Road is under the Rawalpindi Development Authority: RDA approved its layout plan over 3,489 kanals and town planning of Blocks K, K-Extension and M over 1,576 kanal, but lists **Blocks N and L as illegal**.

For **PWD**, RDA's illegal list has an entry "Pak PWD, Chakri Road". We found no CDA or RDA entry for a PWD scheme under any other name, so ask the seller which authority approved it.

## Which are the new CDA sectors?

| Sector | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| C-14 | Infrastructure nearly done; plots ready, possession "soon" | CDA, 15 Feb 2026 |
| E-12 | Sub-sectors 1 and 2 ready for possession | CDA, 15 Feb 2026 |
| I-12 | Almost all plots developed; handover "soon" | CDA, 15 Feb 2026 |
| C-15, C-16 | Work ongoing | Zameen, 31 Oct 2025 |
| D-13, E-13, F-13 | CDA and DHA to develop them as a joint venture; agreement after land clearance | Zameen, 4 May 2026 |

More guides: [new housing schemes in Islamabad](/property/guides/new-housing-schemes-islamabad/), [illegal housing societies in Islamabad and Rawalpindi](/property/guides/illegal-housing-societies-islamabad-rawalpindi/), [best housing society in Islamabad](/property/guides/best-housing-society-islamabad/), [CDA building bylaws](/property/guides/cda-building-bylaws-islamabad/), [society approval check](/property/tools/society-approval-check/).

## Questions people ask

### Is E-18 CDA approved?

E-18 is not a CDA sector: the 1992 zoning regulation lists Zone 2 sectors only up to the 17 series. The one CDA entry naming D-18/E-18 is Engineers Co-operative, whose layout plan was approved in 2005 but which had no NOC as of 25 October 2026.

### Is D-17 CDA approved?

D-17 is a Zone 2 sector built by private schemes, so it depends on the scheme. Engineers Housing Scheme (D-16 and D-17) has a CDA NOC; Margalla View Housing Scheme (D-17) has an approved revised layout plan but its revised NOC was not yet issued as of 25 October 2026.

### Is H-13 a CDA sector?

H-13 is in Zone 1, where land is to be acquired and developed by CDA and private schemes aren't allowed. In 2019 CDA banned construction and plot sales in H-13, Zameen News reported; we found no newer decision.

### Is PECHS CDA approved?

PECHS on Fateh Jang Road is not on CDA's list. It is under RDA, which approved its layout plan over 3,489 kanals and lists its Blocks N and L as illegal, as of October 2026.

### Which are the new CDA sectors?

CDA said in February 2026 that plots in C-14, E-12 (sub-sectors 1 and 2) and I-12 were ready or nearly ready for possession. In May 2026 Zameen reported a CDA and DHA joint venture to develop D-13, E-13 and F-13.

## Sources

- [Islamabad Capital Territory (Zoning) Regulation, 1992 (CDA copy)](https://www.cda.gov.pk/Assets/pdf/1699885128_c298b227_7e66_436b_9353_124dddac4adb_.pdf), Capital Development Authority (CDA) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- [Status of approved private housing schemes in Zone 2, 5 & E-11 (PDF, January 2025)](https://cda.gov.pk/Assets/pdf/status_of_housing_socities.pdf), Capital Development Authority (CDA) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- [CDA - Private Housing Schemes](https://www.cda.gov.pk/housing-schemes), Capital Development Authority (CDA) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- [Engineers Co-operative - details](https://www.cda.gov.pk/housing-schemes/engineers-co-opertaive), CDA (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- [Gulshan-e-Sehat - details](https://www.cda.gov.pk/housing-schemes/gulshan-e-sehat), CDA (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- [Margalla View Housing Scheme - details](https://www.cda.gov.pk/housing-schemes/margalla-view-housing-scheme), CDA (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- [Ministry of Interior Employees Co-operative Housing Society - details](https://www.cda.gov.pk/housing-schemes/ministry-of-interior-employees-co-operative-housing-society), CDA (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- [Approved and illegal housing societies](https://rda.gop.pk/ahs), Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- [CDA reviews development in new sectors, plot possession to begin soon (15 Feb 2026)](https://www.cda.gov.pk/cdaImagesGallery/capital-development-authority-reviews-development-in-new-sectors-plot-possession-to-begin-soon-in-islamabad), CDA (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- [CDA plans to revive stalled sectors (31 Oct 2025)](https://www.zameen.com/news/cda-plans-new-revive-stalled-sectors.html), Zameen News (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- [CDA, DHA join hands for 3 new sectors (4 May 2026)](https://www.zameen.com/news/cda-dha-join-hands-for-3-new-sectors.html), Zameen News (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- [CDA reinforces ban on housing schemes in Sector H-13 (27 Feb 2019)](https://www.zameen.com/news/cda-reinforces-ban-on-housing-schemes-in-sector-h-13.html), Zameen News (accessed 25 Oct 2026)