Islamabad: A grave case of land encroachment has surfaced in Islamabad’s Harno Thanda Pani area, where a group of powerful individuals, allegedly in collusion with a local patwari (land record official), have constructed an illegal housing society named “Royal City” on a natural storm water drain spanning over 240 kanals. The encroached land, worth billions of rupees, has not only violated public property but also endangered the lives and properties of nearby residents.
Following the recent heavy monsoon rains, the blockage of the storm water outlet has resulted in severe urban flooding. Water levels reached up to six feet in many homes, causing widespread destruction in residential areas such as Harno Thanda Pani and Federal Town. Locals now fear that the situation could become catastrophic during the upcoming monsoon spells, with the potential for major loss of life and property.
More than 200 residents have signed a formal complaint addressed to the Federal Minister of Interior, demanding immediate intervention. The petition, submitted by former General Councilor Fayyaz Ahmed Satti, accuses the owners of Royal City of illegally occupying a government-owned water channel without acquiring any approval from the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The society is reportedly located in Zone 4, along the Lehtrar Road, and was developed without environmental clearances or infrastructural planning.
The petition highlights that the storm drain in question, designated as Khasra Number 1800, is communal property and forms a vital part of Islamabad’s natural water drainage system. The illegal construction has disrupted the natural flow of rainwater, which now backs up into civilian homes during heavy rainfall. Residents have emphasized that unless the waterway is immediately cleared and restored to its original form, the entire region remains vulnerable to future disasters.
The petition also calls for legal proceedings against the owners of Royal City and other members of what is being called a “land mafia.” Citizens have urged the government to place the names of those responsible on the Exit Control List (ECL) and investigate their assets to determine how they amassed property worth billions in such a short time.
Copies of the complaint have been dispatched to the Chief Commissioner and Chairman of CDA, the Inspector General of Police, and the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad to ensure swift and coordinated action. Residents have further warned that should any harm come to them during this process, the full blame will lie with the criminal elements behind the unlawful occupation.
This incident reflects not only rampant lawlessness and bureaucratic complicity but also a dangerous disregard for public safety and environmental balance. Citizens demand urgent accountability before the consequences become irreversible.
