AFTER serving the government in the highest ranks with due dedication and sincerity, I retired from service in the latter half of 2007. I had been provisionally allotted a plot of land in the G-14/3 sector, Islamabad, under the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation, in 2004.

A few years later in 2007, the cost of land was raised on the pretext that the additional cost for the built-up properties had not been adequately covered in the original cost. I received the final allotment of the land after payment of all dues in 2012. While I was hoping that the land would soon be available for construction, another cost of built-up properties was levied on the allottees in 2014; I paid the charges under protest.

Later, a new set of development charges was levied in 2015, and I cleared them in full as well, hoping that the plot of land would be handed over soon so that I may begin construction.

During the 16 years since the initial allotment, the question of handing over the land to the allottees has gone to the courts. Commissions and committees have been set up to pay off the people, mostly illegal squatters and land mafia.

I and many other retired public servants have paid the money, but the land mafia and extortionists have not yet vacated the lands, and they continue to occupy it illegally.

The administrative machinery has failed miserably as these goons are said to enjoy the support of influential politicians. Consequently, the cost of the land has increased for pensioners like me, and yet the plots of land are yet to be handed over to us.

Regrettably, more than 13 years have passed since my retirement and despite clearing all charges, I am still living in a rented accommodation for which my children pay. I am 73 years of age, but have no personal property to live in. The same is the story of many an upright public officials who too are living in rented accommodations, subsidised by their children.

I have knocked at every door and so have many unfortunate allottees, but to no avail. I appeal to the highest offices in the land to intervene and ensure that we get without further delay what we have paid for long ago.

Sajjad Ashraf

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2021