Denial of I-12 plot possession frustrates allottees

Islamabad : Thousands of plot allottees from Islamabad's Sector I-12, mostly from the middle class, have resented the prolonged denial of land possession, blaming it on the slow development work by the Capital Development Authority.

They said years of waiting had left them so frustrated that they're considering street protests against the civic agency for failing to fulfil its promise of early possession. The allottees told 'The News' that in May 2024, CDA chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa ordered completion of development work in I-12 within four months, but progress remained minimal afterward, leaving the sector without basic amenities like electricity and water supply.

They said that I-12, which comprised 6,040 residential plots of sizes 25x50, 30x60 and 35x65 across 745.87 acres of land, could help address the growing housing shortages in the city, so its early development was crucial, but it had been used as a garbage dumping site for decades. The allottees complained that instead of properly disposing of the accumulated waste, the CDA had been filling cavity areas in the uneven terrain with garbage, raising serious concerns about land stability and hygiene. They feared that that practice would undermine the sector’s long-term liveability and structural integrity.

“Development in I-12 has lagged behind with the CDA prioritising new housing schemes like Margalla Enclave. It should complete work in the existing sectors before starting new projects. I have no other place to construct my house, so the CDA should immediately hand over possession of my plot to enable me to begin construction,” said allottee Muhammad Masood Ilyas.

Tahir Mahmood, who is nearing retirement, shared his frustration over the uncertainty of his housing situation. "The delayed plot possession has left me extremely stressed. I am going to retire in a few months' time [in July this year], so I will have to vacate the government-provided accommodation. My question is simple: how will I manage accommodation with my meagre pension amid escalating house rents?"

Shahid Maqbool, another allottee, complained that garbage was scattered throughout I-12/1, with a handful of dumper trucks working to fill ground cavities with waste instead of properly disposing of it elsewhere. "This practice raises serious hygiene concerns and jeopardises the land's stability for future construction," he said.

The allottee also complained that the slow progress of this process is further delaying crucial development work, including underground electrification and other essential residential infrastructure. He said the CDA’s sluggish approach to development had left him deeply frustrated. The allottees of I-12 plots demanded the immediate possession of their plots to build their long-awaited homes without further delays.