The authorities had planned a six-day eviction drive starting from March 6 to vacate the buildings lying in dilapidated condition. But PWD officials said the possibility of conducting such drive is very little before the next general election.

Moreover, the residents have applied to the PWD seeking some more time. "PWD is probably going to respond positively to the letter," said an official of PWD. "Besides, we haven't got allotment of police force for the drive," he added.

The official said PWD will soon hold a meeting to discuss the letter submitted by the residents of the buildings and take a decision.

The officials of DGA said they could not go for the drive as they did not get any further order from the PWD as of March 5. "The drive has not been cancelled officially. The fate of implementation of the planned drive depends on PWD's decision and we are waiting for that," said Mohammed Yusuf, assistant director, DGA.

PWD in April 2005 put up signboards at seven buildings declaring them risky and abandoned as the authorities fear that major accidents may happen at anytime. "Living in this building is risky. People are requested not to use the road besides this building," reads the signboard hung at each of the buildings.

Around 600 people are living in 84 flats of these buildings with risk of collapse that may cause loss of life. But the low-paid fourth class government employees do not have any alternative. They do not have the ability to rent a private house to live in and the government has not arranged any alternative accommodation for them.

"We are living with death risk. The government is going to evict us without making alternative housing arrangements," said Hasan Ali, an employee of the home ministry.

Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas had earlier assured them of giving allotment in six new staff quarters that the government is going to construct soon, but the residents are not satisfied with such assurance.

"The residents of building B-84 in the same colony were evicted with a promise of allotment in a new building eight years ago, but they are yet to get the allotment," said Abdur Rahim, a resident of one of the risky buildings.

The buildings identified for eviction are B-33, B-34, B-35, B-36, B-85 and B-97. These buildings were constructed in 1952 and initially allotted to sweepers. Later these flats were allocated to the fourth class employees of the government.