Over the weekend, a significant number of residents from various katchi abadis across Islamabad convened at G-11 Markaz to voice their opposition against the ongoing eviction and demolition operations carried out by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). This gathering, termed an “Awami Adalat,” served as a platform for the affected communities to protest what they described as forced removals that blatantly disregard rulings from the country’s highest courts.
The event was spearheaded by the Awami Workers Party (AWP) and drew a diverse crowd including progressive political activists, university students, intellectuals, trade union members, journalists, and local inhabitants. Alongside the immediate concerns of eviction, participants also highlighted broader issues related to Islamabad’s urban development policies, which they criticized for prioritizing profit over the welfare of residents and causing significant environmental damage.
During the proceedings, AWP leader Alia Amirali delivered a pointed critique of the CDA’s approach, emphasizing how the authority has increasingly distanced itself from the needs of the city’s working-class population. She argued that instead of addressing fundamental issues such as affordable housing and livelihood security, the CDA appears to be catering primarily to influential property developers, large-scale road construction firms, and entrenched bureaucratic interests.
Amirali specifically condemned the demolition of longstanding settlements, including the Muslim Colony near Bari Imam, which has been home to nearly 25,000 people for decades. She asserted that these actions violate stay orders issued by both the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court, pointing to a troubling disregard for judicial authority. Furthermore, she accused the Islamabad Capital Territory administration of employing excessive force and intimidation tactics during eviction drives, not only in katchi abadis but also in older, established villages such as Saidpur, Malpur, and Dhok Talyan.
Residents who have been displaced shared harrowing stories about the emotional distress and financial difficulties they have endured following the demolitions. Many described the loss of their homes as a devastating blow that has left families struggling to rebuild their lives without adequate support or compensation.
The speakers at the Awami Adalat also raised alarms about the environmental consequences of ongoing infrastructure projects in Islamabad. They pointed to the large-scale road construction initiatives that have led to the felling of thousands of trees, significantly altering the city’s green landscape. Concerns were also voiced regarding alleged encroachments within the Margalla Hills National Park, a critical ecological zone, which activists fear could suffer irreversible damage if such development continues unchecked.
Adding to the grievances, representatives from Anjuman Rehribaan Islamabad highlighted the persistent harassment faced by street vendors. They reported that the CDA’s enforcement directorate frequently confiscates and destroys vendors’ carts, undermining their ability to earn a livelihood and exacerbating the economic vulnerability of these informal workers.
Despite the challenges, the participants of the Awami Adalat pledged to persist in their struggle for housing rights and to assert their rightful place within Islamabad’s urban fabric. They argued that the city’s political and bureaucratic elites rely heavily on the services and labor provided by working-class communities, making their marginalization both unjust and unsustainable. The protest underscored a growing demand for more inclusive and humane urban policies that respect both the rights of residents and the environment.
