Illegal Commercial Usage Of Pakistan Housing Authority Flats On Rise

The illegal commercial usage of residential apartments constructed by Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) near Zero Point in Sector G-7/1 is going unchecked as the authorities concerned were paying no attention to such growing problem.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Sep, 2018 ) :The illegal commercial usage of residential apartments constructed by Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) near Zero Point in Sector G-7/1 is going unchecked as the authorities concerned were paying no attention to such growing problem. PHA constructed such B-type flats in 1998 aiming to provide shelters to homeless people and overcoming the shortage of houses. The flats were allotted by PHA to the respective owners under a comprehensive allotment deed embodying condition of strictly restricting them from its use for purposes other than residential. Other civic services, repairing and maintenance works in the flats are also provided by PHA on taking monthly charges from its occupants.

Since its possession, the trend of its commercial utilization was growing among local private business groups and companies and now there are almost half of occupants who are running their business in these flats due to its prime location right near Zero Point.

PHA had constructed 208 flats each of B-type in Sector G-7/1 for residential purposes, most of which are now being occupied by property consultants, overseas employment promoters, freight forwarding agents, media companies and other similar business groups which is total violation of PHA by-laws and rules and regulation regarding allotment of flats. Now a days the rent of B-type flat is higher by Rs 20,000 to 30,000 than the rent for the same category in G-8/4 due to its commercial importance and growing attraction for businessmen.

This saves their 30 percent to 40 percent surplus rent given at the commercial building located at comparatively unattractive areas.

An occupant of one of G-7/1 flats, Muhammad Yahya running business at such vicinity told APP that he has shifted his marketing business to this area for many reasons; to avoid security risk in crowded commercial areas in the wake of current law and order situation, second to pay less for a spacious accommodation than commercially better location, third due to freedom of its multipurpose utilization i.e commercial as well as residential for office workers and forth to protect business from taxation as he need no hoardings for his business projection.

Families residing in the surrounding areas of State Bank Colony, ZTBL Colony and CDA Colony have expressed their great concerns over mysterious activities of its bachelor occupants round the clock.

When contacted in this regard an official of PHA disclosed that various campaigns were launched to stop such illegal practice adding that notices have once again been served to such illegal occupants to stop such practice immediately. He disclosed that operation against such elements was being started with the help of police department and criminal cases would also be registered against such violators.