DNA
ISLAMABAD, MAY 7: Often praised for its serene beauty, clean environment, and well-planned infrastructure, is increasingly losing its charm due to the uncontrolled spread of encroachments. Nowhere is this more evident than in Sector G-8 — once considered a peaceful residential neighborhood — which has now been transformed into a chaotic, congested zone, riddled with unauthorized car showrooms, vendors, and makeshift shops occupying public spaces.
Encroachments are not merely an eyesore; they pose serious challenges to law and order, traffic flow, pedestrian movement, and the quality of life for residents. In G-8, the problem has reached alarming levels. Footpaths that are meant for pedestrians are now home to illegal car showrooms and workshops. Streets are clogged with double-parked vehicles, leaving no space for residents to park their own cars near their homes. With the pavements overrun by business activity, women, children, and the elderly are forced to walk on roads, putting their safety at constant risk.
Local residents complain that they have repeatedly raised the issue with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP), but to no avail. Operations are occasionally conducted by the CDA’s enforcement wing — bulldozers are brought in, makeshift structures are razed, and stern warnings are issued. However, within days, the same illegal setups reappear. This recurring cycle has led many to allege that some CDA officials are complicit in this issue. Bribes are reportedly paid under the table, allowing encroachers to resume their activities after a token display of enforcement.
This isn’t just hearsay. Several eyewitness accounts and media reports have pointed toward a well-established nexus between some elements within the civic administration and those involved in illegal commercial activities. The absence of lasting enforcement only strengthens this suspicion. Moreover, the traffic police, who should be actively involved in regulating vehicle movement and ensuring parking laws are respected, appear to have turned a blind eye to the problem. In fact, their lack of proactive engagement has been one of the contributing factors to the unchecked growth of encroachments.
In contrast, Punjab has recently undertaken a highly effective anti-encroachment drive, particularly in cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi. Illegal kiosks, constructions, and roadblocks have been removed, with the authorities reclaiming hundreds of kanals of public land. Importantly, this drive has shown consistency — something glaringly absent in Islamabad. The Punjab model involved not only removing encroachments but also ensuring they did not return. CCTV monitoring, community reporting mechanisms, and penalties for repeat offenders were key to its success.
Citizens of Islamabad are now asking: why can’t the same be done in the federal capital? As the seat of the government, Islamabad should set a benchmark for urban cleanliness, orderliness, and rule of law. Unfortunately, the city now reflects a growing neglect, where short-term financial gains are prioritized over long-term civic health.
The issue in G-8 is particularly emblematic. Once known for its wide roads and peaceful environment, the sector is now a haven for illegal businesses. Car showrooms — which should be operating from designated commercial areas — have occupied entire streets. In some cases, the main road lanes are reduced to single lanes due to double-parking. Workshops operate without licenses, flouting safety regulations and emitting fumes and noise pollution in residential areas.
This state of affairs calls for an urgent, comprehensive response. Firstly, the CDA needs to take sustained action — not just performative operations. A dedicated anti-encroachment task force should be formed with the authority to seal premises that repeatedly violate city laws. Additionally, CDA must introduce digital transparency to reduce corruption. All enforcement activities should be publicly documented and regularly audited.
Secondly, the Islamabad Traffic Police must revamp its enforcement strategy. Illegal parking, misuse of public roads for commercial purposes, and traffic disruptions should carry heavier penalties. Collaboration between CDA, ITP, and local residents’ committees can help identify hotspots and prevent re-encroachments.
Thirdly, political will is essential. No operation can succeed unless backed by the top civic leadership and government. Islamabad cannot be allowed to descend into the same urban chaos that plagues other major cities. It must live up to its reputation as a model city, both in planning and in practice.
Encroachments are a symptom of deeper administrative decay — corruption, inefficiency, and lack of vision. To restore Islamabad to its former glory, the authorities must act decisively, transparently, and persistently. Sector G-8 should not be the face of Islamabad’s urban future — it must become a symbol of reclaiming civic order and enforcing the rule of law.
The residents deserve better — and so does the capital of Pakistan.
