Islamabad was once an example of good urban planning. Now, it has become a cautionary tale of neglect. The local authorities face fierce criticism as decades of mismanagement take their toll. Some sectors remain incomplete generations after announcement and thousands of plot owners in abandoned developments continue to wait for basic infrastructure.
There also appear to be several illegal or unauthorised housing schemes that continue to operate despite fines and enforcement raids. Water shortages also plague several areas and solutions, such as dams, might still take years before they are realised. The city’s famous green belts are also being lost. Beautification drives only mask the systemic rot.
Kiran Khan
Rawalpindi
