Illegal slums along Leh expand unchecked

Illegal slums along the banks of Nullah Leh have spread for miles with thousands of residents occupying lands of Pakistan Railways, cemeteries and other vacant plots.

The slums continue to expand unchecked since no government, over the years, devised a policy for their permanent settlement.

Long-time residents in the area have relocated to other areas because of the mushroom growth of slum dwellers including professional baggers. Over time, the number of people has grown to thousands and the slums have spread for many miles from Katarian to Hazara Colony, Dhok Ratta, Dhok Hassu, Pirwadhai, Jhanda Chichi, Gawal Mandi, Marrir Hassan and the Sawan Jhelum River Road.

The slum dwellers have occupied lands of Pakistan Railways, cemeteries and other vacant plots. Karam Dad, a slum resident in Dhok Rata, said that he hailed from interior Sindh and he and his family members make both ends meet by begging. He said that a few years ago, his eldest son came to Rawalpindi and rented a hut from a contractor. Today three more shanties have been rented near this hut in which his six family members reside.

Dad said that there were two main reasons for the spread of slums along Nullah Leh. The first thing, he said, was its being close to the city and availability of all civic facilities and locals earn a hefty monthly income by providing gas, water, electricity and cable service to the slum dwellers. “These slums have all the amenities of life,” he said.

He said that the second major reason was the generosity of the locals who give alms to beggars and slum dwellers.

Muhammad Suleiman, a resident of Gawal Mandi, who resides near a slum, said that the families living in the slum were causing pollution in the area. He said that several old residents have migrated from the area due to the continuous expansion of slums. “Families living in permanent houses are involved in various occupations while those living in slums are involved in begging and other illegal activities,” he said.

He said that numerous requests had been made to the local administration and police about the illegal activities of the slum dwellers but those operating in the slums seem to be influential and no one takes action against them. They have occupied even state lands.

When the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation and the deputy commissioner's office was contacted to take a version on the issue, it transpired that there was no dedicated department to regularise slums.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2022.