Umar Anwar, president of the Mumtaz City Builders Association, has accused the Top City administration of imposing unlawful and heavy surcharges under the guise of utility bills, demanding what he described as extortionate payments from plot owners. He said that when residents refuse to pay these levies, Vigo pickup trucks arrive to intimidate people, and that the society’s water supply has been shut off for the past week while tankers are also being prevented from entering the area.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club Islamabad alongside Top City Builders Association president Sheikh Saleem, general secretaries Zishan and Chaudhry Mohsin, Umar Anwar appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to intervene. He urged authorities to remove weapons from the area, end the so‑called dala culture and protect investors, including overseas Pakistanis whose funds he said are at risk.
The builders demand a forensic audit of the society’s accounts and called for immediate reversal of extra development and floor charges that were applied to already allotted and occupied plots without legal justification. Umar Anwar argued these unilateral levies lack any lawful basis and must be rescinded to restore confidence among residents and investors.
Residents and builders further complained about severely deficient public infrastructure across Top City. Parks, mosques, parking areas and street lighting remain incomplete, the road network is in poor condition, and the water distribution system is inconsistent and wholly inadequate. Repeated requests for tanker deliveries are often refused by the administration, creating an unbearable situation for households and construction projects alike.
The speakers also raised concerns about misuse of tax provisions, institutional coordination failures and the absence of essential services such as a hospital, emergency response, fire brigade and a community centre. Reports of unauthorized changes to the approved layout, particularly affecting mosques, community areas and public amenities, were described as violations of Rule 46(4) and an affront to the sanctity of the master plan.
Converting parking areas into commercial plots and structures has, according to the builders, increased congestion, created safety risks and undermined public interest. In response to these grievances, a protest has been announced for 07 November after Friday prayers in front of Hasnain Mosque in Top City Block B. The organising groups demand that the administration address these matters transparently and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
