CDA seeks independent audit of IHC legal facilitation centre project

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority has asked for a third-party forensic audit of the Islamabad High Court’s Legal Facilitation Centre project, raising concerns over execution, measurements and additional quantities in a scheme whose cost has risen above Rs2 billion.

Official documents and a contempt application filed before the Islamabad High Court show the CDA has sought the appointment of an independent technical auditor, preferably the National Engineering Services of Pakistan, to examine the work carried out at the Constitution Avenue project and verify measurements as well as excess quantities.

The project was originally assigned to the Pakistan Public Works Department and later shifted to the CDA after a federal cabinet decision in August 2024. The original contract value for the facilitation centre was Rs1.446 billion, but after approved variations it has increased to more than Rs2.07 billion.

The authority has also expressed concern that formal approval is still pending for excess quantity statements worth Rs492 million, while a running bill of Rs313 million has already been submitted by the contractor.

Concerns over project oversight

In its plea before the court, the CDA said the circumstances warranted outside scrutiny before more public money was committed to the scheme.

"Certain actions of the contractor as well as the Pak PWD, particularly in relation to excess quantities and pending approvals, have given rise to doubts requiring independent and impartial verification before any further financial commitments are undertaken."

The documents point to concerns that mirror those linked to the main Islamabad High Court building, which has faced criticism over faulty elevators, an ineffective cooling system and what was described as substandard work. That building cost more than Rs11 billion.

Reference to earlier IHC building issues

An Auditor-General of Pakistan review of the main court building found its cost had risen to Rs5 billion. Rs1 billion was paid without a detailed measurement book and that the revised building plan had not been approved by the CDA.

The same report said the facilitation centre contractor had previously come under scrutiny over allegedly bogus credentials and had gone beyond the original bill of quantities, prompting concerns about transparency and financial propriety.

With the project cost now exceeding Rs2 billion and the revised completion deadline set for December 2026, the CDA has asked the court to intervene to protect public funds and avoid future litigation. The matter is expected to come up before the court.