France Colony, Islamabad

France Colony
Neighborhood in Islamabad, Pakistan
France Colony is located in Pakistan
France Colony
France Colony
Coordinates: 33°43′13″N 73°03′38″E / 33.7203981°N 73.0606047°E / 33.7203981; 73.0606047
CountryPakistan
TerritoryIslamabad Capital Territory
CityIslamabad
SectorF-7
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total
≈ 8,000

France Colony is a slum, or katchi abadi, in the F-7 sector of Islamabad, Pakistan.[1][2] The neighborhood derives its name from the past presence of a French embassy in the area.[1] According to The Friday Times, France Colony has low-quality electric and telecommunications networks with high electricity prices, unclean water and waste accumulation.[1] The neighborhood is crossed by a brook which has contaminated water.[3] Drug dealing and consumption is frequent in the katchi abadi.[4] In 2018 it had around 8,000 residents, mainly Christians.[1] In March 2019, a free hepatitis C and tuberculosis treatment program was launched in France Colony by the Federal Ministry for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination.[5]

Smart Street School

As of 2022, Crossadder Foundation, a 'for youth, by youth' NGO acquired the NOC from Capital Development Authority and planted a 12'x40' feet portable school at Master Ayub School in a refurbished container. The 'Smart Street School' is used to shelter and periodically facilitate the education of these 250+ students on a daily basis; 85% of these students belong to the local Christian community from the France Colony slums.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Sheikh, Fathima (June 15, 2018). "A France we must visit". The Friday Times. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  2. ^ Kreuzmann, Hermann (2013). "Islamabad – Living with the plan" (pdf). Südasien-Chronik - South Asia Chronicle (3/2013). Südasien-Seminar der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: 150. ISBN 978-3-86004-295-3.
  3. ^ Mussadaq, Maha (December 29, 2013). "Behind the beautiful: Nothing French about the France Colony". The Express Tribune. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  4. ^ Chudhary, Wasif (October 26, 2018). "France Colony a hub of drugs and narcotics". Daily Times. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  5. ^ "France Colony residents to get free hepatitis C, TB testing and treatment". The News International. Islamabad. March 7, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  6. ^ "Smart Street School". KidsRights Foundation. Retrieved 2023-04-10.

Further reading

  • Zaidi, Alif F.; Lehner, Adam (1991). "France Colony. Last among unequals". The Muslim Magazine. No. 3. May.