Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon was granted a residential plot under a government quota in an unusually short span of just two months, prompting questions about transparency and equal access within the public housing allocation system.
Documents reveal that Memon secured a 14-marla plot, measuring 40 by 80 feet, located in Sector D-12/3, a well-developed residential area of Islamabad. This allotment occurred significantly faster than the typical waiting periods, which often extend for years for many civil servants and ordinary citizens.
Memon, a Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) officer, submitted his application for a Category-II plot on April 20, 2023, under a quota specifically reserved for employees of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). A recommendation from the Islamabad Chief Commissioner’s Office followed on May 6, 2023, endorsing his application.
In a subsequent step, the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) Member Estate issued a letter dated June 2, 2023, to the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA), making Plot No. 366 in Sector D-12/3 available to the authority. The allocation was carried out under the Islamabad Land Disposal Regulations (ILDR) 2005, which permit the CDA to allocate 10 percent of plots to federal government employees.
Following the recommendation and relevant policy, the housing authority officially offered the plot to Memon on June 21, 2023. This rapid processing has raised concerns about potential preferential treatment and the fairness of public housing distribution, with critics questioning whether the system favors merit or influence.
While numerous government employees endure prolonged waits for similar allotments, this case has intensified debates about whether established rules are consistently enforced or selectively applied to influential officials. The FGEHA clarified that a 2.5 percent quota is reserved for employees of professional bodies, including ICT staff, and that allotments are made based on recommendations from the respective institutions.
Attempts to obtain comments from Memon and the Chief Commissioner’s Office were unsuccessful. This incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding discretionary allotments under official quotas, which have historically attracted scrutiny over transparency and equity in the allocation of public land.
