ISLAMABAD, Sept 9: The government has in principle decided to give ownership rights to the dwellers of six regularized kutchi abadis in the capital, a local MNA Mian Mohammad Aslam told Dawn on Tuesday.

“This is for the first time in the capital that the inhabitants of shanty settlements will have their own houses in their present localities,” the MNA said.

He said the Capital Development Authority (CDA) board had approved a plan regarding provision of proprietary rights to the kutchi abadis dwellers. “A summary prepared in this regard has also been sent to Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali for final approval,” he added.

Under the plan, the residents of six regularized kutchi abadis will become owner of the land on which they have established their houses, Mr Aslam said.

“With the provision of proprietary rights, all civic amenities will be provided to them,” he said, adding that the inhabitants would also be able to get their separate power supply, gas and telephone connections.

He said under Model Urban Shelter Project, a grand kutchi abadi was being established at Alipur Farash, where the residents of the remaining five regularized settlements would be shifted in phases.

Under the project, plots measuring three marlas each will be provided to the people at an estimated cost of Rs52,000. This amount will be paid in instalments, he added.

The MNA said out of total 16 kutchi abadis established in Islamabad, only 11 had been regularized and the remaining declared illegal.