Tensions flared in Islamabad’s private housing society, Park View City, over the weekend after residents staged a protest against recently imposed development charges, as reported by national media.
According to details, the demonstration, which began peacefully, reportedly turned violent, leaving several individuals injured, according to videos circulating on social media platforms.
A video posted on YouTube late Saturday night showed a large gathering of agitated residents voicing their concerns. Protesters claimed that the administration, allegedly with the help of hired enforcers, used force to disperse them. Among the victims, they said, were citizens who had been residing in the society for more than four years before the new charges were introduced.
In another widely viewed video, a speaker criticized the sudden imposition of the charges, highlighting that many homeowners had already paid in full, constructed their homes, and moved in.
The unexpected financial burden has triggered widespread frustration and anxiety among residents, many of whom feel blindsided.
Breakdown of Imposed Development and Possession Charges:
Residential Plots:
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5 Marla: Rs 10 lakh (discounted to Rs 50,000 if paid before May 15)
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8 Marla: Rs 16 lakh
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10 Marla: Rs 20 lakh
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1 Kanal: Rs 40 lakh
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2 Kanal: Rs 80 lakh
Commercial Plots:
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5 Marla: Rs 75 lakh
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6 Marla: Rs 1.5 crore
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8 Marla: Rs 4 crore
A 50% discount on all charges is being offered if payment is made before May 15, 2025.
Residents are now demanding justice and a rollback of the charges, stating that the demands are unjustified and financially crippling. The Park View City administration has yet to issue an official response to the allegations or the protest.
