Government employees and members of the middle class in Islamabad are finding it increasingly difficult to find affordable housing in the Capital.

Called the city of outsiders due to its large population of salaried workers from other parts of the country, affordabale housing has always been a major concern in the city.

However, the pursuit is becoming increasing difficult in the face of a burgeoning population while more housing units fail to be set up.

In addition to the small number of government housing, many people are waiting for properties to maerialise even if they have already paid for them.

One such area ia sector I-12, where some people have been waiting to receive possession of the their plots for over three decades.

Many of I-12’s allottees reently met officials from the Capital Development Authority including Member (Engineering) Dr. Muhammad Khalid Hafiz and Member (Finance) Tahir Naeem Akhter, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.

“Dr. Khalid Hafiz showed his willingness to consider provisional possession for the allottees in sector I-12,” the APP report said.

However, APP also reported that the slow pace of development in Pakistan Housing Authority and Federal Government Employees Housing Authority, which were set up by the government itself.

Over the years, many projects such as the Naya Pakistan Housing Program (NPHP), Apna Ghar Scheme, and Ashiana Housing Scheme have been announced but have failed to make a sizable impact on the housing crisis.

Meanwhile, the existing amount of government housing in the old sectors of Islamabad is becoming increasingly scarce. Many government employees have to wait years before they get a house allotted.