RAWALPINDI: The residents of Bahria Town Rawalpindi on Saturday staged a protest demonstration against the administration of Bahria Town for not providing civic facilities despite getting hefty fees from them.

A large number of residents, traders, property owners, investors, families, and community leaders from Bahria Town Phases 1-8 assembled at Allama Iqbal Junction Phase 8.

Jamaat-i-Islami representatives also participated in the protest. The participants carried placards, banners, and display boards, clearly expressing their demands and urging Malik Riaz and Bahria Town Private Limited to relinquish control.

Tahir Nihad Bajwa, Chairman of RABT and President of BRACE, led a procession and said that highlighted systemic failures in governance, service delivery, and regulatory oversight and declared that the community has been paying heavily without receiving basic rights or services.

He presented the charter of demands and said that it had already been submitted to all relevant authorities.

He urged the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Capital Development Authority (CDA), and district administration to appoint owners’ association to look after the affairs of Bahria Town within 15 days.

He said that the electricity system in Bahira Town would be handed over to Islamabad Electric Supply Company under the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority Financial Justice, an independent audit of 21 years to be held, refund of excess charges, property rights, relief for investors and affected property owners, legal and technical audit of projects, Accountability and action against regulatory failures (RDA, CDA, others).

Traders representative Atta Khan highlighted excessive charges for electricity, water, maintenance, and security and stated that services have consistently failed despite heavy payments.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2026