Islamabad housing shortage

Islamabad is currently facing an acute shortage of housing, severely affecting poor and middle-class residents. The shortage has triggered a steep rise in house rents, forcing many to move to rural Islamabad or Rawalpindi and endure daily commuting hardships. A major reason is the failure of the local authorities to develop new residential sectors. Though some development activities have been initiated recently, the progress remains painfully slow.

There appears to be a greater focus on flyovers, underpasses and launching new schemes than on fulfilling the housing needs of existing residents. In contrast, private societies complete development swiftly. Public trust in the authorities is eroding and they must urgently intervene and ensure rapid development of stalled sectors to ease the worsening housing crisis in the capital city.

Tahir Mahmood

Islamabad