ISLAMABAD: The development work of sector I-15 is facing significant hurdles due to encroachments, with 10pc land still in adverse possession.

While development work in the sector is nearing completion, the issue of encroachment still persists on 10pc of the land.

Deputy Director of Sector I-15 Mudasir Pervez, through an official letter dated July 2, raised the issue of encroachment with director land, enforcement wing and other offices concerned of CDA.

The letter stated: “It has already been requested that encroachment and built-up property on different areas of sector still exist and locals/affected persons are creating hurdles in development activity, but it is unfortunate that any positive action from your side [land directorate] is still awaited.”

It further said that the ongoing encroachments have halted development in several areas due to unavailability of land.

“The allottees have been reaching out to higher forums and courts against encroachments by the locals aand the affected persons. This has adversely affected the reputation of the authority and some areas of land is still undeveloped due to encroachment,” read the letter.

According to the letter, work on 90pc available land has been completed and CDA is planning to hand over possession of developed plots to allottees this week.

“Furthermore, the high-ups are pressing hard for early completion of development work on remaining 10pc encroached land too, which could only be possible if remaining land area gets cleared of the encroachments,” the letter stated.

“Hence, it is once again requested to give possession of encroached land i.e 10pc of the sector I-15 engaging Enforcement Directorate, CDA and with the help and collaboration of ICT administration so that the development activities could be resumed on the remaining/portion of I-15 sector to complete the project and subsequently hand over possession to the allottees,” the letter emphasised.

Sector I-15, launched in 2005 was intended to provide affordable housing primarily for the middle and lower middle classes. Delays in development stemmed from CDA’s negligence until recent years but the work is now near completion.

The sector comprises 10,289 plots of various sizes.

“This sector will help add over 10,000 housing units to the city,” said an official, adding that Islamabad faces affordability challenges due to shortage of new sectors. According to the official, development work in four other sectors including I-12, C-14 and C-15 is underway and expected to be completed within a year.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2024