ISLAMABAD: A public-sector girls’ school in Islamabad is facing danger from excavation work being carried out for a housing scheme in the area.
Islamabad Model School for Girls (IMSG), Kurri, run by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), is facing a potential threat due to construction work being undertaken for the development of a housing scheme.
According to a letter issued by the FDE, large amounts of earth and soil have been continuously excavated from three sides of the school building, leaving the structure exposed and vulnerable at the edge of a steep vertical drop.
It is relevant to note that two housing projects are currently being developed in the area by the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
FDE says large amounts of soil have been excavated from three sides of girls school building
The FGEHA project is called Margalla Orchard Scheme, while the CDA project, Margalla Enclave, is a joint venture between the CDA and the Defence Housing Authority (DHA).
Sources said the FDE had raised concerns with the FGEHA through a letter dated October 26, stating that the school was facing a serious and precarious situation due to the development work.
“It has been reported and verified on-site that due to ongoing physical execution in Margalla Orchard Scheme, launched by FGEHA and being actively developed by its partner DHA, heavy soil excavation has been carried out immediately adjacent to the school premises. Crucially, vast amounts of earth and soil have been continuously excavated from three sides of the school building, leaving the structure severely heightened, exposed and entirely compromised at the edge of a steep vertical drop,” the FDE letter addressed to the FGEHA stated.
It added, “This unscientific and unchecked excavation has placed the school building in an exceptionally dangerous, critical and precarious condition. With the foundation weakened and perimeter support stripped away, the facility poses an imminent physical threat to the lives of hundreds of young female students, faculty and support staff.”
The FDE also said, in view of the absolute urgency of the situation, it is requested that FGEHA immediately halt further hazardous excavation in the vicinity and initiate comprehensive structural rehabilitation, including the construction of robust protective retaining walls and necessary reinforcement works, at the earliest possible time to secure the institution.
FGEHA spokesperson Faiz Ahmed Sial said the authority had acted swiftly on the complaint and conducted a physical inspection of the site. The inspection had revealed that the school’s premises did not fall within the boundaries of its housing scheme, he added.
“This issue does not pertain to FGEHA. It is outside our boundaries,” he said.
Another FGEHA official said the FDE might have sent the letter to the authority based on a misjudgement.
“Maybe the school area falls within the CDA scheme, which is adjacent to our scheme, but it certainly does not belong to us and has nothing to do with our Margalla Orchard Scheme,” he said, adding that the FGEHA was preparing a response to the FDE’s letter.
Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2026
