Civic problems deepen in Rawalpindi cantonment areas amid caretaker setup

RAWALPINDI: Residents in several areas of Rawalpindi Cantonment are facing growing problems in obtaining basic civic services in the absence of elected representatives and under a caretaker arrangement.

The difficulties relate to water supply, sanitation and damaged roads, which have worsened across a number of localities, according to a report compiled by The Express Tribune.

Visits to both upscale and densely populated neighbourhoods, including Westridge Valley Road, Peshawar Road Lines, Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, Abid Majeed Road, Bakra Mandi Kamalabad, Misrial Road, Seham, Chohar Harpal, Range Road, Dhoke Chaudhrian, Dhoke Banaras, Millatabad, Niazi Town, Naseerabad and Chak Madad Khan, found poor cleanliness conditions, roads marked by potholes and a defective water supply system.

The streetlight situation was the most severe, with lights either absent or out of order in many places. As a result, these areas fall into darkness shortly after sunset, giving an appearance more associated with remote rural settlements than a cantonment locality.

Cited in the report, maintenance work has been held up because of a shortage of materials. The delay has added to the difficulties being experienced by residents in the affected areas.

Residents left without representation

In the past, such civic issues were taken up by elected representatives, which led to timely remedial action. However, with the end of their tenure and the closure of their offices, former cantonment board members are no longer in a position to formally pursue residents’ complaints.

Former cantonment board members Rashid Khan and Haji Zafar Iqbal said their term had ended and their offices had been shut down. They said this had left them unable to resolve public issues despite continued pressure from residents.

The reported conditions point to a broad deterioration in municipal upkeep across multiple cantonment neighbourhoods. The affected areas include both prominent roads and heavily populated settlements, indicating that the problems are not confined to a single locality.

Water supply faults, sanitation concerns and broken roads were identified as recurring issues during the visits. The lack of functioning streetlights has further compounded residents’ problems, particularly after dark.

The report also highlighted that the absence of elected representation has reduced the ability of residents to have their complaints raised through formal channels. Previously, board members would bring such matters to the attention of the relevant authorities, helping secure action on civic maintenance.

With that mechanism no longer in place, residents in Rawalpindi Cantonment areas are continuing to face mounting civic difficulties, while delays in maintenance work linked to a lack of materials have further slowed any response to the worsening conditions.