Islamabad has fallen

This refers to the article, ‘Islamabad has fallen’ (February 25) by Zaigham Khan. The problems discussed by the writer in his article are a result of decades of greed by the bureaucracy and politicians alike. In fact, ‘China cutting’ was started in the federal capital much before it was introduced in Karachi. Carving out residential plots in parks and commercial areas of E-11 and G-13 sectors for senior police officers and civil servants are recent examples of ‘China cutting’.

The CDA has surrendered its building control role to entities like the Police Foundation and the Federal Housing Foundation in these sectors. This resulted in the non-implementation of uniform civic standards and building laws. The Federal Housing Foundation has allegedly transferred dozens of houses in G-13 as plots to people to bypass the completion certificate formality. The result is that we have shoddy construction all around the city. Now corrupt officials have set their eyes on Sector F-14. There are reports that officials are busy purchasing ‘benami land’ in the sector to make money. Islamabad needs a visionary mayor and CDA chairman to set things right.

Ambassador (r) Javed Hafiz

Islamabad