ISLAMABAD: The capital city is grappling with a severe housing crisis that has left its residents, particularly the middle class and government employees, in a state of despair.

Despite the growing demand for affordable housing, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has failed to address the issue, leading to skyrocketing rents and a lack of accessible housing options. The housing crisis extends beyond delayed plot possession. With the CDA failing to expand housing in line with the city’s growing population, rents have soared, making it nearly impossible for the middle class to afford homes in Islamabad.

Many residents have been forced to move to Rawalpindi where rents of houses are comparatively low but come with the added cost of daily commutation. This displacement has disrupted lives, increased financial burdens and added to the overall stress of families.

A striking example of the housing crisis is the unresolved issue of I-12, where allottees have been waiting for over three decades to get possession of their plots.

CDA’s failure to address issue leads to skyrocketing rents and lack of accessible housing options in capital

Khumar Gul, an allottee, said the sector was allotted in 1989, but the 6,040 residential plots across 745.87 acres remain undeveloped. Many original allottees have passed away while waiting, leaving their legal heirs entangled in bureaucratic red tape.

“It seems like our plots have been snatched away from us,” he lamented. “We have been running from pillar to post, but are still clueless about the possession of plots in the sector. It now seems that CDA has made this case a lifetime project.”

Tahir Mahmood, another allottee nearing retirement, voiced his deep concern over his uncertain housing situation.

“The delayed plot possession has left me extremely stressed. I am going to retire in July this year, and will have to vacate my government-provided accommodation. How will I manage accommodation with my meagre pension amid escalating house rents?” The crisis has not only led to financial instability but has also taken an emotional toll on families.

Shahid Iqbal, an affected allottee, emphasised the impact of the situation. “Housing is not just a structure, it’s the basis of family well-being, affecting every aspect of our lives,” he stated. CDA must wake up and take urgent measures to resolve this crisis before it worsens further.

Many residents of the capital city urged the government to address the housing issues without further delay. The existing sectors should be developed immediately, and possession of the plots should be given to allottees on a priority basis so they can begin constructing their homes. They said the housing crisis had become a social and economic emergency affecting the lives and well-being of thousands of the residents. Urgent intervention is needed to resolve this pressing issue and safeguard the right to shelter for residents of the capital who live in rented houses.

Mohammad Masood Ilyas, a resident of the city, criticised CDA’s slow-paced development work and urged the government to take decisive action.

“The government must act urgently to alleviate the suffering of countless families and ensure that the fundamental right to shelter is upheld,” he stated.

“When CDA and other government authorities related to public sector housing do not function properly, people are compelled to move to private unregistered housing societies and face problems like sewerage, bad roads, and even frauds by private housing societies,” he added.

When contacted, a senior CDA official wishing not to be quoted said Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa had been focusing on development of sectors.

“Chairman has been consistently visiting residential projects and also giving deadlines to staff and developers to complete them at the earliest,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2025