Protests have broken out in Islamabad, Pakistan, following the demolition of informal settlements, including a Christian neighborhood. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and police clashed with residents in the Allama Iqbal Colony during the demolition operation. About 1,300 families, mostly Christians working in low-income jobs, reside in the area.
Tensions escalated during a five-hour standoff as officials attempted to carry out the demolition. Shahzad Sahotra, a local Christian leader, reported that the government sealed a scrapyard, broke locks of Christian homes, and removed belongings onto the street before facing resistance. Many homes and businesses in the colony are marked for future demolition, causing fear among long-term residents.
The CDA plans to clear four informal settlements in Islamabad, some of which are home to Christian communities. The renewed operations have sparked fear and anxiety, especially among daily wage earners who lack resources to relocate. These settlements often serve as the only affordable housing option for minorities facing social and economic challenges in accessing formal housing markets.
Violent clashes erupted in the Noorpur Shahan area on April 14 during anti-encroachment operations, leading to injuries among police personnel and residents. Authorities used tear gas and baton charges to disperse protesters, resulting in the demolition of an entire neighborhood. Human rights groups have criticized the CDA’s actions, stating they disproportionately impact the urban poor and religious minorities.
At a meeting in Islamabad on April 13, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan called for the implementation of a 2015 Supreme Court stay order prohibiting forced evictions without due process. The CDA’s approach was labeled as “anti-poor,” with authorities being urged to provide adequate low-cost housing solutions for the affected population.
