Owing to sheer negligence on the part of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), residents of Sector G-9 are facing numerous problems including pollution, water shortage, security problems, encroachments, and lack of adequate recreational facilities.
Two populous markets, Peshawar Mor and Karachi Company, and a bus terminal are located in G-9 and seem to be one of the root causes of all the air and noise pollution in the sector. The Peshawar Mor market is located in a residential area of the sector, and causes frequent traffic jams, noise pollution, security problems, and cleanliness issues as shopkeepers throw rotten fruits and vegetables out in the open. The Karachi Company market is one of the main shopping areas for the residents of sector G-9, but encroachments have choked the walking areas of the market. Visitors to the market also complained about the fact that there is no public toilet for the females. Although there is a toilet for males, it is in terrible condition and the smell emanating from it disturbs ashoppers. In the absence of regular police patrolling, residents also face security problems. Sadia Majid, a housewife, told Pakistan Today, “One day the main gate of our house was open and I noticed an unknown man going out with a water pipe in hand. I immediately called 15 and my husband snatched our pipe back from him.” She added that a few months ago they had lost the iron top of a gutter in the same way. Further, residents of G-9 face a serious water shortage problem due to the CDA’s negligence. Bilal Ahmed a resident of G-9/4 told Pakistan Today, “We borrowed money from a relative to install a tube-well in our house because of the severe water shortage in summer.” In addition, no filtration plants have been provided in sub-sectors G-9/1 and G-9/4, forcing residents to either consume contaminated water or suffer the hassle of bringing back water all the way from the filtration plants in sub-sectors G-9/2 and G-9/3.“We cannot cover such a long distance to bring back water from filtration plants, so we use water from our tube-well at home for consumption, but we’re not sure how safe and clean it is,” said Bilal. His mother, Mrs. Shamim Akhtar, told Pakistan Today that her 10-month old grand daughter Laiba suffers from stomach problems all the time but they cannot afford to buy mineral water for her. Cleanliness on the streets, however, is quite satisfactory as the sanitary workers daily visit the area and collect garbage from every house, but residents complained that the workers, despite taking salaries from the CDA, collect money from every house as well, and refuse to do their duty if they are not given their ‘dues’. Residents further complained that garbage trolleys at various places are often overflowing and very smelly.
There are a few parks and a playground in the name of recreational spaces in G-9, and unfortunately even their condition is deplorable as the swings and other rides are mostly broken. In addition, grown up boys often use the parks as cricket grounds, making it difficult for females and old residents to peruse these facilities. “I usually avoid visiting the park due to it being filled with rowdy boys, but her daughter, craving open space, forced her to came,” said the mother of a little girl who was hit by a cricket ball in one of the parks. She suggested that CDA build some playgrounds just for little children. The residents were not aware of any dispensary or Basic Health Unit in the sector. Most visit Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for medical problems, and those who could afford it go to Ali Medical Center, a private hospital.
G-9’s grievances fall on stony ground
