Islamabad’s peaceful residential neighborhoods, once designed for families and tranquil living, are now facing an alarming wave of illegal commercialization. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is under fire for its inability to enforce the CDA Ordinance 1960 and Islamabad Residential Sectors Zoning Regulations, as homes are being converted into hubs for hostels, clinics, and even international media offices.
Residents have raised a strong outcry, blaming these illegal activities for disrupting their quality of life. The chaos caused by increased traffic, parking shortages, and environmental strain has turned once-quiet neighborhoods into centers of disorder. Many residents see this as a blatant violation of zoning laws and an assault on their right to live peacefully. The lack of enforcement by the CDA has left citizens frustrated and demanding immediate action to protect Islamabad’s identity as a well-planned capital city.
Globally, cities like London and Dubai strictly enforce zoning laws to maintain the sanctity of residential areas, yet Islamabad appears to be falling behind. The ongoing violations have not only tarnished the city’s reputation but also jeopardized its livability. The pressure is mounting on the CDA to act decisively and reclaim control over residential sectors.
Residents are now demanding that the CDA conduct a comprehensive survey of all sectors, shut down illegal commercial establishments regardless of their influence, and enforce zoning laws to restore the safety and livability of residential zones. The community’s message is clear: silence is no longer an option. Citizens urge the CDA to take swift action to safeguard their neighborhoods from further degradation.
The outrage over illegal commercialization underscores a broader concern for the city’s future. Islamabad’s residents insist that the CDA must rise to the challenge, uphold the law, and restore the capital’s integrity before it’s too late.
