ISLAMABAD: The mushrooming growth of illegal housing societies and haphazard construction in Islamabad has caught the attention of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, prompting him to order a crackdown.

Islamabad is reportedly dotted with over 100 illegal housing societies, unauthorised slums and illegal commercial buildings mainly in E-11, Banigala and along the Islamabad Expressway, Lehtrar Road and Murree Road (Bhara Kahu).

According to sources, illegal housing schemes are operating across various parts of the federal capital, including Zone III, but the authorities concerned have apparently failed to take action.

Meanwhile, the construction of numerous unauthorised commercial buildings is also ongoing in various areas, including Zone IV and Banigala, they said.

Sources revealed that even some housing societies that had been issued No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and fall under the category of legitimate societies have encroached upon land originally reserved for graveyards, schools and parks by selling these plots to private individuals.

“Starting action against illegal construction is a good initiative and it should begin with the top offenders and large illegal housing schemes and commercial projects, instead of targeting small houses built on private land,” said a CDA official.

He alleged that one of the housing societies has encroached upon hundreds of kanals of CDA land and action should be taken to retrieve that land.

Another official said, in addition to taking action, the CDA and the government should also take steps to regulate such constructions, especially in Zone IV, where unauthorised settlements have emerged.

Thousands of people are living in Ghouri Town, said to be one of the largest unauthorised housing societies in Islamabad, he said. Therefore, the government should take steps to protect the rights of bona fide purchasers and take action against those responsible for the scheme’s unchecked expansion, he added.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Ministry of Interior stated, “Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad, which was attended by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, federal interior secretary, Islamabad chief commissioner, police chief, deputy commissioner and other officials.

It was reportedly decided to launch an immediate operation against illegal constructions in Islamabad.

The interior minister said satellite mapping through the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) should be used to prevent illegal constructions.

Mohsin Naqvi stressed that providing world-class facilities to the residents of Islamabad should be the top priority for all officials.

He instructed officials to perform their duties actively and said the image of the police and administration in the capital must be improved.

He encouraged officers to introduce new initiatives for public service, assuring them of full support in their implementation.

The minister directed effective control over prices of essential commodities in Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2025