Multibillion Nilor Heights housing project faces decay as government yet to decide on revival

ISLAMABAD: The multibillion Nilor Heights apartment project in the federal capital continues to deteriorate as the federal government and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) have yet to take any decision regarding the revival of the stalled mega project.

The project, launched in 2021 near Nilor on CDA-owned land, was originally required to be completed within 24 months — by June 30, 2023 — to meet its approved targets and goals. However, it was halted midway through construction.

Why was the project stalled?

CDA had initiated the project for its then partner, the Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority (NPHDA), which was supposed to share the cost of the project and deliver the apartments to its members. However, NPHDA failed to pay any amount to CDA, which resulted in the project being halted in 2023 after the completion of the grey structure of 60 blocks.

Since then, the project has been lying abandoned, with its structure steadily decaying.

"This multibillion project is stalled and structure is decaying."

Presentation to prime minister planned after Eid

According to an official, CDA and the Interior Ministry will give a presentation to the prime minister about the Nilor Heights apartment project after the Eid holidays. The briefing is expected to help determine the future course of action for the long-delayed housing scheme.

The delay in decision-making has left the fate of the project — and the aspirations of those who had hoped to receive affordable housing through the scheme — in limbo. The grey structures of the 60 completed blocks remain exposed to the elements, raising concerns about the viability of the existing construction work should the project eventually be revived.

The Nilor Heights project was part of the broader Naya Pakistan Housing programme, which aimed to provide affordable housing to low- and middle-income segments of the population. The failure of NPHDA to fulfil its financial commitments to CDA proved to be the primary reason behind the project grinding to a halt two years ago.

With the planned post-Eid presentation to the prime minister, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether the federal government will finally chart a path forward for the revival of the abandoned housing project or whether it will continue to languish without a clear resolution.