Located on the outskirts of Islamabad, Sector E-11 is a relatively new residential area that has witnessed a rapid influx of investment in the last three years, due to which several residential and commercial projects are in the pipeline. Idyllic living… Sprawling houses built on large plots, landscaped lawns and tree-lined roads against the backdrop of the Margalla Hills define E- 11. Several mosques, parks and schools provide residents easy access to basic amenities. Being far removed from the urban sprawl, healthcare and shopping options are limited to small grocery shops and pharmacies. However, these facilities are less than a 15-minute drive away, thanks to the Margalla Road, which connects E-11 to Islamabad’s more ‘happening’ sectors, such as F-9, which offer myriad recreational, shopping and healthcare options.
Of history and food… If you are a history buff, a visit to the quaint village of Golra, situated on E-11’s western extremity ,is a must. There you will find several hirtoric sites, the most well-known of which are Golra Sharif, the shrine of Sufi mystic Syed Mehr Ali Shah, the Golra Junction – a colonial-style railw 82, and the recently renovated. Railways Heritage Museum, where steam engines, bogies and cabins dating to the British Raj are on display. After enjoying this trip back in time, stop for karhais and tikkas at Des Pardes, Chinese food a Shangai Dragon or China Snoopy, or flavored sheesha and coffee at the Black Lounge.
The real estate take… Approximately 70% of E-11 is built up; residential property options are primarily restricted to multi-storey houses, while several apartment complexes have cropped up recently. Commercial property options include standalone shops; low-rise buildings providing retail and office space are under construction. Property prices and rentals have increased by almost 25% and 30% respectively in the last three years; prices are substantially cheaper compared to the more central areas of Islamabad.
In a nutshell… While E-11 may not have the social cachet of Islamabad’s ‘F’ sectors, given the investor interest it is attracting, it is safe to say that within a few years it will become one of the city’s prime residential areas.
By Farhana Burki