Human rights activists and civil society organizations have strongly criticized the planned demolition and forced eviction of residents in Allama Iqbal Colony, a predominantly Christian settlement in Islamabad. The community, facing imminent clearance, raises concerns over minority rights and displacement. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and other groups have rejected the evictions by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Islamabad, citing lack of due process and lawful rehabilitation.
These actions are part of a broader unjust approach by Pakistani authorities targeting low-income communities in informal settlements across Islamabad, affecting families who have resided there for decades. The disregard for legal protections for marginalized citizens and the absence of a coherent policy are alarming. The demolition of these settlements poses a threat to housing, dignity, and livelihoods of working-class communities, especially impacting women and children.
The groups have urged Pakistani authorities to stop all planned evictions, comply with judicial directives, and develop transparent policies for informal settlements. They emphasized the need for security of tenure, consultation with affected communities, fair resettlement, and compensation where displacement is unavoidable. Meaningful engagement with katchi abadi representatives and accountability for unlawful actions in the name of urban development were also demanded.
