Leaders of Mumtaz City and Top City builders associations have accused the society administration of imposing unlawful utility surcharges and extortionate levies on already allotted plots, calling the practice a form of Top City extortion that threatens investor confidence. At a press briefing held at the National Press Club in Islamabad, president Umar Anwar said that refusal to pay these charges often leads to intimidation, including the arrival of Vigo vehicles to coerce residents.
Umar Anwar, flanked by Mumtaz City general secretary Zeeshan and Top City president Sheikh Saleem with general secretary Chaudhry Mohsin, said the society has been without water for a week and tankers are frequently denied entry. He warned that the ongoing denial of water supply and the imposition of arbitrary surcharges has created an unbearable situation for residents and builders, forcing many to repeatedly request tanker deliveries that are then blocked by the administration.
The associations demanded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz intervene to restore law and order, disarm the area and end what they described as dala culture. They called for a full forensic audit of the society’s accounts and actions, arguing that the administration’s extra development and floor charges on already allotted plots have no legal basis and should be revoked to halt further Top City extortion.
Concerns were also raised about the deteriorating public infrastructure within the approved master plan. Parks, mosques, parking spaces, street lighting and the road network are reportedly incomplete or substandard, while reports of alterations to the approved layout—particularly affecting mosques and community areas—have alarmed residents who say such changes violate rule 46(4) and undermine the sanctity of the master plan. Conversion of designated parking into commercial structures has caused crowding, security concerns and a loss of public benefit.
Speakers highlighted the absence of essential services including a hospital, fire brigade, emergency response and a community centre. They also pointed to misuse of tax provisions and a lack of institutional coordination, as well as poor and inconsistent water supply systems. Despite Top City and Mumtaz City being promoted as modern smart housing close to the new Islamabad airport, reliable internet and communications remain largely unavailable for residents and builders.
The associations warned that ongoing intimidation and the targeting of labourers, combined with the risk to overseas Pakistani investments, place investor capital in jeopardy. They urged the administration to operate transparently, follow applicable laws and resolve outstanding issues promptly to protect residents and preserve the area’s development potential.
The builders associations announced a protest on November 7 after Friday prayers in front of Hasnain Mosque in Top City Block B, urging authorities to address allegations of Top City extortion, restore services and order, and initiate the requested forensic audit to restore confidence among homebuyers and investors.
