Islamabad’s aging commercial hubs are buckling under the weight of poor infrastructure, prompting the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) to demand an immediate, city-wide upgrade.
ICCI President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi met with Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials earlier this week, presenting a laundry list of grievances. From broken sewage lines and crumbling parking lots to inadequate street lighting, the city’s primary business centers—particularly in the older sectors—are struggling to function as modern commercial spaces.
“Business cannot thrive in a state of neglect,” Qureshi told reporters after the meeting. He pointed specifically to the lack of waste management and the deteriorating state of pedestrian walkways, which he argues are driving customers away to newer, private malls.
The stakes are clear. Islamabad’s markets serve as the backbone of the city’s local economy. When these hubs fail, small retailers suffer immediate revenue losses, and the city’s tax base takes a direct hit. For many shopkeepers, the current state of the markets isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a barrier to survival in a high-inflation environment.
The CDA, often criticized for focusing on aesthetic beautification projects rather than utility maintenance, has promised to review the chamber’s proposals. However, previous pledges to renovate these markets have stalled repeatedly, leaving traders skeptical.
The Chamber has specifically requested a dedicated budget allocation for the rehabilitation of Sector I-9 and the Blue Area, citing persistent issues with water logging during the monsoon season. They’ve also pushed for a digitized parking management system to replace the current chaotic street-side arrangements that clog traffic flow.
Whether the CDA can move beyond bureaucratic delays remains the core concern. As the city’s population continues to swell, the pressure on these aging commercial centers will only increase. For now, the traders are waiting to see if this latest round of talks results in actual construction crews, or just another set of minutes filed away in a city office.
