Unchecked Urbanization: Nearly 100 Illegal Housing and Farming Schemes Flourish in Islamabad
Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, is facing a concerning issue: the unregulated operation of nearly 100 illegal housing and farming schemes. This information, revealed by Capital Development Authority (CDA) documents, raises serious concerns about regulatory oversight and the potential consequences for the city’s development.
The Scope of the Problem:
- Number of Schemes: A staggering 98 illegal schemes are operating within Zones 3 and 4 of Islamabad.
- Types of Schemes: These schemes encompass both housing projects and agro-farming ventures.
- Lack of Approval: All the schemes lack necessary CDA approval and have bypassed crucial zoning regulations.
- Active Marketing: Despite their illegality, these schemes are actively promoting and selling plots, posing a risk to potential buyers.
The Fallout:
The prevalence of illegal schemes has several negative implications:
- Unplanned Urban Expansion: Unregulated development can lead to sprawling cities with inadequate infrastructure and services.
- Environmental Degradation: Uncontrolled expansion can put a strain on natural resources and contribute to environmental degradation.
- Financial Risks: Investing in illegal schemes poses financial risks for potential buyers, as they may not receive legal ownership or access to utilities.
A Call to Action:
The CDA has issued a cautionary advisory, urging citizens to avoid transactions related to these illegal schemes. This incident highlights the need for:
- Stricter Enforcement: The CDA needs to strengthen its enforcement mechanisms to effectively address the issue of unauthorized development.
- Public Awareness: Raising public awareness about the risks associated with investing in illegal schemes can help mitigate the problem.
- Comprehensive Urban Planning: Implementing a transparent and well-defined urban development plan can guide future growth and prevent similar issues.
Here’s the sorted list of the flagged schemes, combining both alphabetical order and numerical distinction when applicable:
A:
- Abdullah Gardens
- Adil Farms
- Adil Valley
- AI-Huda Town
- Ali Model Town
- Al-Rayan Society
- Al-Rehman City View
- Al-Rehman Villas
- Al-Syed Avenue
- Ameer Khan Enclave
- Arcadia City
- Aryan Enclave
- Asian Ranches Villas
- Arsalan Town
- Abu Bakar Town
B:
- Badar Farms
- Bani Gala Hill View
- Bara Kahu Enclave
- Blue Enclave/ Star Home
- Burma Town
- Bylee Town
C:
- Capital Gardens
- Canterbury Enclave
- City Town
- City View
- Commoners Sky Garden (Flower Valley)
D:
- Danyal Town
F:
- Faisal Town
G:
- Ghakar Town
- Green Avenue
- Green Avenue-II
- Green Field
- Green Hills
- Green Meadows (North Ridge) Housing Scheme
- Green Residencia
- Green Valley
- Gulberg Town
- Gulf Residencia
H:
- Hammad Town
- Hill View Houses
I:
- Ideal Residencia
- Islamabad Saif Garden
- Ittifaq Town
J:
- J&K Farm Housing Scheme
- Japan Valley
K:
- Katrsaz Villas
- Kiani Town
- Kohsar Enclave
L:
- Land Sub-division sponsored by Mr. Shahzad
M:
- Madina Enclave Phase-I
- Madina Town
- Makkah Town
- Margalla Gardens
- Marwa Town
- Media City-1
- Mufti Mehmood Enclave
- Muslim Town
N:
- New University Town
O:
- Olive Wood Farms
- OGDCL Town
P:
- Paradise Point HS
- Park Lane Valley
- PTV Colony
Q:
- Qurtbal Town
R:
- Rawal Enclave
- Royal City Housing Scheme
- Royal Homes/Residencia
S:
- Saif Gardens
- Satti Town
- Shaheen Farms
- Simly Valley (1&2)
- Spring Valley
T:
- Tricon Agro-Farms
- The Enclave Housing Scheme
U:
- Usama Town
Islamabad’s battle against illegal housing and farming schemes is a crucial step towards ensuring sustainable and well-planned urban growth. By addressing this challenge effectively, the city can safeguard its future and create a more livable environment for its residents.