CDA Seals Govt-Backed Housing Project Worth Billions

Thousands of government employees and ordinary people are on the verge of losing their life savings, as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has sealed work on a government-owned housing project in Islamabad.

The project of residential apartments was initiated in the I-12 sector of the Federal Capital in 2016 under Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF), a department of the Housing Ministry. The project attracted investment worth billions of rupees.

However, CDA has now sealed the work on the site amid reports of corruption, violation of rules, and document forgery compromising savings of over 3000 families.

There are severe reservations on the safety of the entire project, as repeatedly raised by experts involved in the construction.

According to experts, some housing units are being raised where a natural stream flows right through it, raising fears of a Margalla Tower-like tragedy.

As per official record, these buildings are constructed with a bearing capacity of 0.75 tons per square foot, which is way less than the required bearing capacity for such structures.

Some constructors also raised questions on building designs; however, they remained unheard and were told to continue work on the project.

The incumbent government replaced PHAF officials with those carrying a reputation and has asked the construction company, M/s Mienheardt, to resubmit design calculations on the bearing capacity.

The foundation has prepared a detailed report, highlighting mismanagement, corruption, misrepresentation of facts, and names of those responsible. However, some officers are being forced to change the report.

Director Engineering PHAF, Mohammad Zaki, has confirmed in his report that the structure of buildings is unsafe.

On the other hand, Saad Saood, the structural designer, claims that there is nothing wrong with buildings. He said that the misinformation was delaying the project.

Via: Geo News