Islamabad:
The federal capital currently has no operational government inn for women who work, a situation that added to the challenges facing professionals who need safe and affordable housing.
According to an official source, the Nusrat inn in the G-6 sector, which previously served as a residence for women who work, has been converted into a child protection center for girls, which is not currently functional at present. Likewise, the inn of social women of staff in the G-7 sector was canceled about three months ago and has not yet been reopened.
Workers displayed in various ministries, health establishments and educational organizations have expressed their concern about the lack of residential facilities in Islamabad. “Affordable accommodation is a basic need. Without official hostels, we must look for costly private options that are not always secure,” said Sadia Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa school teacher. “Many of us come from distant areas and have no parents here. Each month, a large part of our wages is spent for rent, which makes it difficult to manage other expenses,” she said.
Samina Ali, an officer of the Punjab junior government, shared his concern by saying: “When I was transferred to Islamabad, I assumed that there would be support from the hostel. But despite repeated surveys, there is no clear response or calendar to reopen these installations.” She added that the stay in private inns comes with its own set of challenges, including limited installations, frequent rent increases and an appropriate lack of safety.
Farzana Bibi, a nurse working in a public hospital, noted: “We are working on long teams and need a safe place to rest. Living in shared private accommodation is neither ideal nor always sure. Government support in this regard would be greatly appreciated.” She pointed out that for health workers and essential staff who often work, proximity and safety are essential concerns that only official installations can provide.
When he was contacted, the National Assembly member Shahida Rehmani, the former president of the Senate, Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, and the senator Sherry Rehman recognized the question and underlined the need for appropriate residential provisions for the professional women of the capital.
They expressed their commitment to raise the question during the relevant forums, stressing that a secure and affordable living environment plays an important role in supporting women’s participation in the workforce.
The persons concerned and the stakeholders urged the competent authorities to take the necessary measures to the renaissance of the inns previously functional and the creation of new facilities to respond to the growing number of women working in Islamabad.
