ISLAMABAD: At a time when private developers in Zone-IV have either completed their housing projects or are rapidly moving to meet promised timelines, allottees of the Capital Development Authority’s own Park Enclave scheme continue to struggle for basic civic amenities even after 15 years of its launch.
The situation raises serious questions about the priorities and performance of the city managers. In the same vicinity, private housing schemes such as Bahria Enclave and Park View Housing Society have not only handed over possession but also provided essential facilities to residents. Meanwhile, the newly launched Margallah Enclave is progressing at a comparatively swift pace.
In contrast, Park Enclave launched in 2011 as the CDA’s flagship project and its first-ever gated community remains far from completion. The authority had promised top-tier facilities, including uninterrupted electricity, gas, water supply and strategically placed security pickets for round-the-clock protection.
Park Enclave Phase-I was launched in 2011, followed by Phase-II in 2014 and Phase-III in 2020, each with assurances of speedy development.
However, the ground realities paint a different picture. While the CDA managed to develop road infrastructure in Phase-I and offer possession to allottees, the absence of essential utilities, inadequate security, irregular sanitation services and other shortcomings have discouraged construction. According to available estimates, only around nine percent of allottees have built their houses so far.
Phase-II has fared even worse. More than a decade after its launch, the CDA has yet to clear the land from local occupants, and possession of plots has not been handed over on ground.
Phase-III initially showed promise. Launched under the leadership of then Chairman Amir Ali Ahmed, the project followed a relatively structured approach, with undisputed land secured prior to its announcement. This facilitated smooth initial development and the laying of basic road infrastructure. However, subsequent administrations failed to maintain the momentum, and the phase now reflects a similar pattern of neglect.
Comprising smaller residential plots of five, seven and 10 marlas, Phase-III was projected as an affordable option for the middle class in Islamabad. Despite this positioning, the absence of electricity, gas and water supply systems continues to plague the area. Notably, possession has been offered in some sectors without ensuring the availability of basic services.
Raza Mansib, an allottee of Park Enclave, told this scribe that buyers were promised a state-of-the-art, modern and secure housing project with 60 percent green cover and even a lake within the residential area. “Instead, like many of its other projects, the CDA has left this scheme in limbo,” he said.
“I believe even Park Enclave-I, which the CDA considers complete, is hardly livable. There is no proper security, no reliable water supply, and sanitary staff barely visit once a week,” he added.
Drawing a comparison with private developers in the same zone, another plot owner Wajhat Syed remarked, “If private housing societies can develop land, provide utilities and hand over possession within a few years, why has the CDA failed to deliver its own flagship project in 15 years? The authority should set an example, not lag behind.”
When contacted, CDA spokesperson Shahid Rafique Kiani did not respond to queries regarding the persistent delays and lack of development in Park Enclave till the filing of this report.
