Unaffordable house rents in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are creating accommodation problems for bachelors, students and the working class.
Demand for residential accommodation has led to a price hike in rent which seems to be out of line with the size and quality of the premises.
Hanif Arshaf, a property dealer said that demand for housing has increased with the winter season right around the corner, as a lot of people from Murree, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa prefer to spend the entire season in the twin cities. “The dealers earn maximum revenue in this season compared to summers or any other season,” he added.
Moreover, accommodation in elite sectors has become unaffordable for the middle class. Mohsin Ali, a student living in Sector F-6 said that taking advantage of his situation his landlord is demanding more rent from him. “I have no other option but to rent a single room as there is no proper accommodation for the working class, bachelors and students,” he added.
Similarly, another property dealer Bashir Ahmed informed that house rent in elite sectors range from Rs 56,000 to Rs 80,000, whereas in other sectors rent ranges from Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000. He said that most of the people preferred to live in flats due to security issues. “Residential plaza owners have also increased rent and bachelor hostels are minting money from students without providing proper facilities,” he added.
Amir Saleem, a student said, “University hostel accommodation used to cost me Rs 4000 per month but after graduating it is impossible to find accommodation elsewhere.” He complained that rents have skyrocketed in the past three to four years due to inflation. “The situation deteriorates when people from hilly areas arrive in the city and pay rent in advance, leaving no place for poor students and bachelors,” he added.
Citizens have demanded the government to construct private hostels for those coming from city outskirts in search of employment or for studying purpose.
According to an official of Capital Development Authority (CDA), the housing rentals would decrease once CDA develops new residential sectors. He said that the authority was in process of acquiring land for the purpose.
