ISLAMABAD: Though the by-laws of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) do not allow it, residential houses are being used as hostels all over the city.

Some people have even converted their rented houses into hostels and are earning more than they pay to the owners as rents.

A large number of people, especially bachelors, come to the federal capital for jobs and educational purposes and live in private hostels. To meet the rising demand, the residents have started using their houses as hostels in different sectors.

As rents of houses are out their reach, the bachelors prefer to live in the hostels where it cost them less as three or four - and sometimes even more - people have to share a room.

The owners prefer to convert their houses into hostels because they earn double of the normal rent.

Mohammad Tahir, a resident of Sector G-8, while talking to Dawn said whenever a house was converted into a hostel the residents of the street faced a number of problems. Not only the families face difficulties even in walking outside their houses but the chances of crime also increase because a large number of people start visiting the hostels.

I-10 residents complain to police about residences being used for commercial purposes

“It becomes difficult to take any action against the residents of the hostels because usually scores of youngsters live in each house and no one dares to speak a word against them,” he said.

In case of a theft or any other crime, the residents suspect that the dwellers of the hostels can be involved in it. And whenever the police raid any hostel, it also becomes irritating for the residents, he said.The residents of Street 65 at Sector I-10/1 in an application to the Sabzi Mandi police complained that six houses in the locality were being used as hostels, making the lives of the residents miserable.

The application, signed by 20 heads of families, stated that though the residents had fixed barriers on both sides of the street, there were still security concerns as some owners had rented their houses to bachelors.

During the last a few days, two incidents of theft were reported in the street, the application added.

One of applicants, Haji Mohammad Rafique, told Dawn that some of the bachelors wearing shorts stand in the street making it difficult for the families to come out even for a walk.

“On Saturday night, a vehicle was stolen from the street. I don’t doubt the residents of the hostels are involved in it but it is also a fact that the police have already raided one of the hostels,” he said.

When contacted, Sabzi Mandi Police Station House Officer (SHO) Asjad Mehmood said he would investigate to ascertain if the residents of the hostels were involved in any illegal activity.

“Moreover, the residents will also be observed from the security point of view. Their houses can also be searched after obtaining warrants,” he said.

Commercial activities in the residential areas are not allowed. If the residents are not found involved in any illegal activities, the case will be referred to the CDA which takes action against hostels in residential areas, he said.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd , 2014