Shamshad, who built her home three years ago near Golra Sharif, Islamabad, is overwhelmed by recent demolitions carried out by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in settlements close to Bari Imam. Just four days ago, the threat of losing her house became a harsh reality. She shares her small two-room home with seven family members, where a makeshift kitchen remains unfinished, with sacks of cement left untouched amid growing fear.
She recalls being warned to pack up and leave as authorities planned to tear down their homes. Originally from a village in south Punjab, Shamshad moved to Islamabad in 2011 after her husband fell seriously ill, forcing her to start working as a house help. For years, she rented different places, but as her daughters grew older, owning a home became essential to ensure their safety and stability.
Despite earlier threats during the house’s construction, when residents paid small sums to halt demolitions, the current wave of evictions has brought renewed anxiety. Shamshad expresses the emotional toll, saying the stress sometimes feels heavier than the physical threat to her home. She is still repaying a loan taken to build the house and now plans to work extra hours to support her family, hoping her children can attend proper schools while fearing the loss of their shelter.
The recent demolitions in Noorpur Shahan highlight the escalating tensions between state authorities and long-established communities living under constant threat of displacement. On April 15, CDA teams equipped with heavy machinery entered Noori Bagh Mohallah to begin demolitions but faced fierce resistance from residents, including women and children, who protested by throwing stones, forcing officials to retreat temporarily.
Police reinforcements later arrived, leading to clashes involving tear gas and baton charges. The confrontation resulted in injuries to at least eight policemen and numerous residents, with two official vehicles set on fire. Villagers accused authorities of excessive force, including pellet firing, although these claims remain unconfirmed. The operation resumed the following day with heightened security, leading to the demolition of nearly 200 additional homes and the registration of cases against approximately 350 individuals under serious charges, including the Anti-Terrorism Act. Authorities allege the use of petrol bombs and firearms during the clashes, allegations strongly denied by residents.
This conflict is part of a broader demolition campaign that has already destroyed over 13,000 homes in recent weeks, with many more marked for removal. For the affected communities, the issue extends beyond the loss of physical structures; it is about their history, labor, and sense of belonging. Many families have lived in these areas for decades, some tracing their roots back centuries, and now face displacement without compensation, rehabilitation, or alternative housing options.
The CDA maintains that the land was legally acquired and is part of Islamabad’s master plan, with courts upholding this stance. Officials insist there is no obligation to provide rehabilitation for those affected. Thus, the debate continues in terms of legality and urban planning, while on the ground, families grapple with uncertainty, packed belongings, and the looming threat of eviction.
Noorpur Shahan has become emblematic of a larger question facing Islamabad: who truly belongs in the city, and who is merely tolerated as its labor force? Sociologist and Awami Workers Party representative Dr. Aasim Sajjad views the demolitions as symptomatic of a city managed with minimal democratic oversight. He notes that the CDA operates under unelected bureaucrats accountable only to the Interior Ministry, with local body elections held only once, resulting in weak public accountability.
Dr. Sajjad highlights the absence of a clear legal framework for informal settlements and villages in Islamabad, unlike other cities governed by provincial laws. This legal ambiguity grants authorities broad discretionary powers, often exercised arbitrarily. Despite a 2015 Supreme Court case imposing stay orders and directing the development of regulatory frameworks to halt evictions, the CDA has continued demolitions, particularly refusing to recognize settlements established after 2002, despite Islamabad’s ongoing growth.
He estimates that around 500,000 people reside in Islamabad’s informal settlements, leaving a significant portion of the population vulnerable to sudden eviction. While legal challenges persist, accountability remains limited, and previous displaced communities, such as those affected by the 2015 I-11 eviction, received little meaningful compensation.
As the demolition campaign continues, residents like Shamshad face a harsh reality: their struggle is not merely about legality or urban planning but about securing a basic right to shelter in the city they help sustain. The ongoing crisis raises profound questions about inclusion, justice, and the future of Islamabad’s marginalized communities.
