Illegal settlements: Citing drug dealing, college principal asks CDA for help
Wants katchi abadi close to college removed.
Citing drug dealing, college principal asks CDA for help. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
After the Capital Development Authority (CDA) removed an illegal settlement of Afghan nationals in the vicinity of Quaid-e-Azam University on Thursday, a college principal has asked the civic agency to launch a similar operation near his institute in Sector I-10/1.
The head of Islamabad Model College for Boys has requested that the CDA chairman remove a similar illegal settlement of Afghan nationals adjacent to the college, claiming that the area is known to be frequented by drug peddlers.
In a letter, the principal highlighted dubious activities in the college’s vicinity and the uncooperative behavior of the Islamabad Police despite several complaints lodged at the local police station.
He has alleged that high-profile drug traffickers operate their business from the I-II Afghan settlement.
In December 2012, the CDA in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) conducted a survey of the locality to ascertain the number of settlers there. During the survey, it was established that the slum was fast turning into a safe haven for various illegal activities. Despite this disclosure, the CDA was restrained from taking action by various quarters and also from within, due to fear of armed resistance by katchi abadi residents.
UNHCR representatives wanted CDA to designate alternate areas such as green belts to accommodate registered Afghan refugees before launching the operation. However, city managers said green belts could not be utilised for the purpose and instead extended the offer of Rs5,000 per month to all refugees who were willing to shift to rented accommodations anywhere in the twin cities.
The survey had revealed the presence of 864 families comprising 7,995 individuals on government land in Sector I-11/1.
It was further unveiled that 350 individuals in the locality who are over 18 had national identity cards listing Rawalpindi as the location of their permanent addresses.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2013.
After the Capital Development Authority (CDA) removed an illegal settlement of Afghan nationals in the vicinity of Quaid-e-Azam University on Thursday, a college principal has asked the civic agency to launch a similar operation near his institute in Sector I-10/1.
The head of Islamabad Model College for Boys has requested that the CDA chairman remove a similar illegal settlement of Afghan nationals adjacent to the college, claiming that the area is known to be frequented by drug peddlers.
In a letter, the principal highlighted dubious activities in the college’s vicinity and the uncooperative behavior of the Islamabad Police despite several complaints lodged at the local police station.
He has alleged that high-profile drug traffickers operate their business from the I-II Afghan settlement.
In December 2012, the CDA in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) conducted a survey of the locality to ascertain the number of settlers there. During the survey, it was established that the slum was fast turning into a safe haven for various illegal activities. Despite this disclosure, the CDA was restrained from taking action by various quarters and also from within, due to fear of armed resistance by katchi abadi residents.
UNHCR representatives wanted CDA to designate alternate areas such as green belts to accommodate registered Afghan refugees before launching the operation. However, city managers said green belts could not be utilised for the purpose and instead extended the offer of Rs5,000 per month to all refugees who were willing to shift to rented accommodations anywhere in the twin cities.
The survey had revealed the presence of 864 families comprising 7,995 individuals on government land in Sector I-11/1.
It was further unveiled that 350 individuals in the locality who are over 18 had national identity cards listing Rawalpindi as the location of their permanent addresses.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2013.