Demolition of Poor Communities in Islamabad Raises Human Rights Concerns

Human Rights Research Center
6 hours ago
3 min read

April 13, 2026

HRRC strongly condemns the forced evictions and calls on authorities to immediately halt demolitions, uphold the constitutional right to housing, and ensure due process and resettlement for affected communities.

This photo shows Pakistani woman Mirjan standing in the rubble of her destroyed house in a slum area of Islamabad. [Image credit: AFP]

Demolition drives against low-income settlements in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, have raised serious human rights concerns, as thousands of residents face displacement with limited protection. The operations are being carried out by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the government body responsible for managing and developing the city. The CDA claims that it is removing illegal settlements and reclaiming land acquired decades ago, as well as clearing space for infrastructure projects such as roads and urban expansion.

Many of the affected communities live in Katchi Abadis (informal settlements that house low-income workers). These include Muslim Colony in Bari Imam (a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Islamabad), Rimsha Colony in Sector H-9 (one of the city’s central sectors) and Allama Iqbal Colony in Sector G-7 (close to the city center). According to the residents of these areas, their communities have existed for years and, in some cases, the authorities facilitated their settlement. This makes the demolitions both unjust and disruptive.

At a recent housing rights conference organised by Awaami Workers Party (AWP), civil society groups and residents said that around 25,000 people from Muslim Colony alone have been displaced following demolitions in late 2025. Many are now living in extreme hardship, without stable shelter or income. Another 4,000 residents of Allama Iqbal Colony and the large Christian community in Rimsha Colony remain under constant threat of eviction, with reports of bulldozers stationed near their homes.

Legal proceedings have produced mixed outcomes. In some cases, such as Saidpur Model Village near the Margalla Hills, the Islamabad High Court has temporarily stopped demolitions and asked authorities to justify their actions. However, a higher bench allowed the CDA to continue its anti-encroachment operations in other areas in separate rulings, reinforcing its authority to proceed.

This situation highlights a growing conflict between urban development goals and the rights of vulnerable populations. While the government frames the demolitions as lawful enforcement, critics argue that the lack of proper resettlement, disregard for long-term residents, and inconsistent court protections make these actions a serious human rights issue. Even where courts have intervened, the continued threat of eviction leaves thousands in uncertainty, raising concerns about housing rights, due process, and social justice in Pakistan’s capital.

Glossary

Bulldozers - a powerful, heavy-duty tractor equipped with a large metal blade for pushing, leveling, and stripping materials like earth, rock, or debris, primarily used in construction, mining, and land clearing.
Condemns - to strongly disapprove of, judge guilty, or declare unsafe.
Constitution - Provides the legal framework for property rights and protection against arbitrary state action.
Demolitions - the act of knocking something down or destroying it.
Due Process - A fundamental right preventing the state from depriving individuals of life, liberty, or property without proper legal procedures, such as notice, hearing, and the ability to challenge eviction.
Encroachment - The unauthorized occupation or use of public property (e.g., roads, parks, drains) or private land, often by vendors, shop owners, or illegal housing societies.
Enforcement -the process of making people obey a law or rule, or making a particular situation happen or be accepted
Eviction - The act of removing occupants, often forced, from their homes or businesses, which requires adherence to the law to avoid being classified as "forced".
Halt - A legal mechanism, often in the form of a "stay order" issued by courts.
Informal settlements - unplanned, self-settled residential areas lacking legal recognition, proper infrastructure, and basic services like water or electricity.
Judicial - anything relating to courts, judges, the administration of justice, or legal judgment. It refers to actions, decisions, or power exercised by a court of law.

References

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Demolition of Poor Communities in Islamabad Raises Human Rights Concerns

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