Pakistani Archbishop Urges Halt to Evictions in Islamabad’s Informal Settlements

Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Rawalpindi-Islamabad, Pakistan, has called for an immediate halt to ongoing actions against informal settlements in the federal capital, Islamabad, urging authorities to ensure dignified rehabilitation of affected residents.

In a recent statement, the archbishop said that displacing thousands of families who have been living in these areas for decades, without providing alternative housing and a clear policy framework, could lead to a serious humanitarian crisis. He urged the government and relevant institutions to suspend all eviction operations and develop a fair and sustainable solution in consultation with the affected communities.

He noted that recent developments have created fear, anxiety, and psychological distress among residents of these settlements. “These families have lived here for years and have significantly contributed to the social and economic fabric of the capital,” he added.

Emphasizing that the right to shelter is a fundamental human right, he said that no citizen should be rendered homeless without due legal process, respect for human dignity, and provision of adequate alternative housing.

Archbishop Joseph Arshad also called on the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Government of Pakistan to immediately stop all eviction drives until a comprehensive, just, and permanent solution is devised in consultation with affected communities.

He further stressed the need for full implementation of the 2015 directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding the protection and rehabilitation of residents in informal settlements. He said that any development or urban planning initiative must prioritize human dignity, social justice, and the protection of vulnerable segments of society.

The archbishop warned that actions exacerbating the hardships of marginalized communities could lead to social unrest, particularly at a time when the country needs unity, compassion, and stability.

He urged policymakers to formulate a comprehensive, long-term policy framework that ensures legal recognition of long-established settlements where applicable, provision of adequate alternative housing prior to any relocation, inclusion of community representatives in decision-making processes, and protection of minorities and vulnerable groups from discrimination and forced evictions.

Concluding his statement, Archbishop Joseph Arshad expressed full solidarity with affected families and called on civil society, religious leaders, and government institutions to work collectively toward building a just, inclusive, and peaceful society.

“Let us choose dialogue over displacement, justice over expediency, and humanity over indifference,” he said.