ISLAMABAD: Upset over an inordinate delay in the issuance of possession letters of their plots they had been allotted over three decades ago, the allottees of I-12 staged a protest in front of the National Press Club (NPC).

Holding placards and raising slogans against the Capital Development Authority (CDA) administration, the allottees demanded action against the civic agency for not issuing possession letters to them. They also held a press conference at the NPC.

Tahir Mahmood, a plot owner in I-12, said: “They had been allotted plots some 30 years ago but neither have we been issued possession letters not there is any hope that the civic agency will issue the letters in the near future.”

He said they had lodged several complaints with the CDA, but to no avail.

“Moreover, the slum dwellers have encroached upon I-12/3 which has become a safe haven for criminals.

They are now extending their encroachments to I-12/2 and I-12/4 but the CDA is doing nothing for the retrieval of their lands,” he said.

Khumar Gul, who is going to retire from government service in a couple of years, said: “I have invested my hard-earned money to buy a plot in I-12 to spend the rest of my life in my own home but development work has not been completed even after 30 years.”

Fahad Hameed, another plot owner, said: “In response to complaints filed by the allottees in the office of Wafaqi Mohtasib, CDA gave an undertaking on Feb 7, 2019 that development work will be completed in two years but it has still not begun.

Moreover, garbage of the entire federal capital is being dumped illegally in I-12 without any NOC from the relevant environment protection agencies.

Aftab Ahmed, another allottee said CDA earned billions of rupees by establishing cattle market on the land of allottees on Eidul Azha, which was unfair.

“We are living in rented houses and forced to pay the high monthly rent. So the amount the CDA earns from the cattle market should be given to us so that we can pay our monthly rent,” he added.

The allottees sought the prime minister’s intervention, and urged him to direct starting of development work in I-12.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2021