The Ministry of Housing has revealed concerning figures about the illegal occupation of government houses in major Pakistani cities. Karachi tops the list with 3,500 government houses still under illegal possession. Since 2019, authorities have managed to recover only 700 of these houses, leaving most occupied unlawfully.
In contrast, Islamabad and Lahore currently have no government houses under illegal occupation. The ministry reported that 742 houses were previously reclaimed in these cities, showing better control over the issue compared to Karachi.
The ministry also confirmed that Rs 40 million has been recovered from illegal occupants. Legal cases are underway against those resisting eviction, highlighting ongoing efforts to free government houses from unauthorized residents.
Housing Minister Riaz Pirzada shared more details about Karachi’s situation. He said 2,200 houses were illegally allotted, and many original files related to these houses are missing. This makes the eviction process more complicated. However, agencies like the Intelligence Bureau, Rangers, and police are assisting in reclaiming these properties.
According to official data, Islamabad has a total of 17,492 government houses, Lahore has 1,943, and Karachi holds 7,882. Despite challenges, authorities continue to work toward clearing illegal occupants and securing government property.
The ministry’s report underscores the urgent need to strengthen measures to prevent illegal occupation of government houses. It also highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement and housing authorities. Reclaiming these houses will help provide housing to eligible citizens and improve urban management.
In summary, the illegal occupation of government houses remains a significant issue, especially in Karachi. The Ministry of Housing is committed to addressing this problem through recovery operations and legal actions.
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