The issue has now taken a more serious turn, with allottees calling upon the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of the situation. They are demanding an independent inquiry into the alleged nexus between land mafia groups and officials within the housing authority
DNA
ISLAMABAD: More than two decades after its launch, Sector G-14/1 in the federal capital remains largely undeveloped, with allottees accusing land mafia elements and alleged administrative complicity for the prolonged delay.
Sector G-14 was opened for development in 2004, and while sub-sectors G-14/2, G-14/3, and G-14/4 have seen significant progress over the years, G-14/1 continues to lag far behind. A majority of plots in the sub-sector are still under illegal occupation, preventing legitimate owners from taking possession and constructing their homes.
Affectees and allottees have alleged that organized land grabbers have entrenched themselves in the area, building structures and resisting eviction efforts. They further claim that instead of decisively removing encroachments, the concerned housing authority has allowed the situation to persist, only to later compensate the illegal occupants to vacate the land—causing financial losses and further delays in development.
“This has become a cycle,” said one allottee, requesting anonymity. “First, the land is occupied. Then, instead of taking firm action, authorities negotiate and pay compensation to the encroachers. Ultimately, it is the genuine plot owners who suffer.”
Residents and investors say that despite repeated assurances, little practical progress has been made on ground. Basic infrastructure such as roads, water supply, and electricity networks remains either incomplete or entirely absent in large parts of G-14/1.
The delay has not only increased construction costs but also shattered the dreams of thousands of middle-class families who had invested their life savings in the sector, hoping to build homes in the capital.
Many allottees expressed frustration that some of the original investors have passed away without ever seeing development begin on their plots. “People bought land here with the hope of settling their families. Some are no longer alive, and their dream remains unfulfilled,” another allottee said.
The issue has now taken a more serious turn, with allottees calling upon the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of the situation. They are demanding an independent inquiry into the alleged nexus between land mafia groups and officials within the housing authority.
They have also urged the government to ensure immediate clearance of encroachments without compensation to illegal occupants, strict accountability of officials found negligent, and a time-bound plan for development of the sector.
Urban development experts say that such delays not only undermine public trust but also discourage investment in planned housing schemes. “If a sector remains undeveloped for over 20 years, it raises serious questions about governance and enforcement,” an expert noted.
Despite its prime location in Islamabad, G-14/1 stands as a stark reminder of administrative inefficiencies and the challenges posed by illegal land occupation. For now, allottees continue to wait—hoping that their long-delayed dream of owning a home will finally become a reality.
