No ownership rights to illegal occupants of G-6 flats: Kakar

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Housing and Works Rehmatullah Kakar has categorically said that his ministry would not give ownership rights to illegal occupants of government houses and flats in sector G-6 and they would have to vacate the unlawfully occupied residences.

Talking to APP he said, “I have clearly said on floor of the House that the illegal occupants of G-6 sector would not be given the ownership rights.”

However, he said, the ministry could facilitate them in getting accommodation in some other sector by providing them soft loans to acquire houses on economical rates as compared to market.

He regretted that many political leaders in the past during election campaign promised with G-6 residents for ownership rights but after being elected they did not fulfill their promises.

He was of the view that giving ownership rights to the occupants was not possible as it would set a new precedence and create further problems for the government in future, residents of other sectors would also demand the same favour.

A large number of retired government employees have occupied official accommodations in G-6 sector despite their retirement from their services since long.

Some of the occupants have also sublet these houses on rents and not paying rents to government, depriving the national kitty to millions of rupees.

Some of the people in these quarters have started commercial activities and set up their clinics, tuition centres and beauty clinics. Majority among the illegal occupants had taken stays from the courts also.

“A government official can retain official accommodation for six month after retirement from service, but many of the retired officials are still living in government accommodation since long, which is totally illegal,” the minister added.

He added that the ministry has sought help from the local political leaders to get the illegally occupied houses and flats vacated.

“We are facing many difficulties in this regard as ‘Qabza mafia’ is using different tactics for not vacating the houses,” the Minister added.