FGEHF bites off more than it can swallow

• Foundation invests all its attention in new sectors, while development of old sectors like G-14 put on backburner

The Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) has shown sheer apathy towards residents of Sector G-14 as much of the development work has either come to a complete halt or continues at a snail’s pace while residents and those who have their plots here suffer.

The reasons behind this neglect, sources claim, are that the FGEHF has invested its resources and energy in planning and selling new residential schemes notably in Bara Kahu, F-14, F-15. However, the foundation has failed to catalyse work in more than a decade old Sector G-14. There are scant signs of development, especially in G-14/1. Other sub-sectors like G-14/2 and G-14/3 do not portray a different picture either.

While talking to Pakistan Today, residents said that they have repeatedly tried to contact authorities at FGEHF but to no avail. They claim that FGEHF make promises that work will soon initiate but forgets them soon.

In 2003, the FGEHF allotted plots to many government servants and general public; however, many amongst them are yet to have possession as encroachments are rife in the area.

Last month, National Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Works warned the FGEHF to resolve multiple issues, including the persistent dilemmas that residents of G-14 face. The committee also directed the foundation to submit a detailed report every month. The FGEHF has submitted no such reports so far.

“The FGEHF is presently more interested in new projects. Recently, we have launched residential schemes in Bara Kahu and Sector F-14 and apartment in G-13. In the presence of these new initiatives, the plight of Sector G-14 has been ignored,” admitted an official when contacted for a comment.

A resident of G-14, Dr Muhammad Usman while talking to Pakistan Today said that the government must provide for its less privileged citizens as it is one of its duties.

“The development of the sector has been delayed for many years and there is no hope in near future. We have fought our case in Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsperson) and courts as well. Everything right now is settled but still there is no sign of development. There was something underway in G-14/2, 3 but it has also been stalled,” he said.

Everybody knows that there is a serious shortage of housing in Islamabad as it is very expensive as compared to other cities of Pakistan, he added. He requested the authorities to take action and resolve the issue for the benefit of people.