Protests Erupt as Thousands of Christians in Islamabad Face Eviction

Islamabad, Pakistan — Thousands of Christian residents in Pakistan’s capital are holding protests after authorities ordered two long-standing settlements to be vacated within days, raising alarm among human-rights groups about the treatment of religious minorities.

Residents of Rimsha Colony and Akram Gill Colony, located in Islamabad’s Sector H-9, staged demonstrations after the Capital Development Authority (CDA) announced via loudspeakers that the settlements were illegal and must be cleared within three days. The directive affects nearly 25,000 people—mostly sanitation workers and daily wage laborers—leaving them fearful and uncertain about their future.

On March 11, thousands of residents marched peacefully through the narrow streets of their neighborhoods, carrying a large wooden cross, chanting psalms, and singing “Hallelujah.” The demonstrators gathered for prayers and appeals for justice, calling for the eviction order to be revoked.

Community leaders argue that the residents are not illegal occupants. Many families were relocated to the area over a decade ago for their safety following tensions linked to the controversial blasphemy case of Rimsha Masih, a Christian girl accused of burning Quranic pages in 2012. The charges were later dismissed, and Masih left Pakistan with her family in 2013.

“What was once a temporary refuge has become a permanent community,” said Pastor Imran Amanat of LEAD Ministries. “Thousands of Christian families suddenly face eviction without any clear plan for resettlement. These individuals have served the city for years, yet they continue to live without basic facilities such as schools, hospitals, and proper roads.”

LEAD Ministries documents persecution and violence against Christians in Pakistan while advocating for religious freedom, pastoral care, and community support. Although the organization does not have the financial resources to directly provide aid to victims, it continues its work through church planting, women’s empowerment programs, and advocacy for vulnerable communities.

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries, warned that the eviction may violate legal protections. A 2015 Supreme Court ruling restricted summary evictions and directed authorities to protect the rights and dignity of religious minorities. Gill described the current order as “both unjust and unlawful.”

The settlements date back to the mid-1980s, when migrant laborers settled near Islamabad’s main vegetable market. Over decades, the communities grew into permanent homes for working-class families who now perform essential municipal roles. Observers note that rising land values and urban expansion often put such communities at risk of displacement.

With the eviction deadline approaching, residents continue to hold protests and appeal to authorities for dialogue, safe relocation, and legal protection. “We are not demanding anything extraordinary,” one resident said during the march. “We only want the right to live peacefully.”

For now, thousands of Christian families in Islamabad remain in limbo, their protests underscoring the urgent need for a humane resolution.

Missing and Feared Kidnapped: Kasur Family Pleads for Husband’s Safe Return Amid Rising Persecution

KOT RADHA KISHAN, Pakistan — Salmon Masih, a Christian father of four from Kechad Colony, Kot Radha Kishan, has been missing since Saturday, 7 March. He left home for work at 9 a.m. but never returned, leaving his family in deep fear and anguish. His wife has made a heartfelt appeal for his safe return, saying they do not know whether he was kidnapped or what has happened to him.

Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of LEAD Ministries, has called on both the local and international Body of Christ to lift the Masih family in prayer. “This family’s suffering is heartbreaking, and sadly, it reflects the harsh reality faced by many Christians across Pakistan, who live under constant threat, social marginalization, and violence,” he said.

LEAD Ministries documents persecution and violence against Christians in Pakistan and advocates for religious freedom, pastoral care, and community support. While the organization does not have financial resources to directly aid victims, it continues its work in church planting, women’s empowerment, and advocacy for vulnerable communities.

The disappearance of Salmon Masih highlights the ongoing vulnerability of Christians in Pakistan. Many face harassment, discrimination, and targeted attacks, often with little access to justice or protection. Pastor Amanat emphasized, “We ask believers everywhere—both here in Pakistan and across the world—to pray fervently for Salmon Masih, support his family in solidarity, and help raise awareness of the challenges faced by our persecuted brothers and sisters.”

Authorities have registered a formal missing person case (FIR), and the family continues to appeal for assistance from local authorities and the community. LEAD Ministries urges support for its ongoing work in Pakistan, including advocacy, pastoral care, church planting, and programs that empower women and protect vulnerable communities.

Salmon Masih’s family remains in deep anxiety, hoping and praying for his safe return, while the global Church is being called to unite in prayer, compassion, and action for their protection and relief.

#PrayForSalmonMasih #MissingInPakistan #ChristianPersecution #BodyOfChristUnite #PrayerForFamilies #ReligiousFreedom #StandWithChristians #LEADMinistries #PakistanChristians #GlobalChurchPray

A Community in Crisis: Thousands of Christian Families Face Eviction in Islamabad

Islamabad— Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of LEAD Ministries, has appealed to authorities to grant Christian families in Islamabad adequate time and a safe place to relocate, as thousands face sudden eviction from Sector H-9.

Authorities reportedly issued a three-day notice—announced via loudspeakers by the Capital Development Authority (CDA)—asking residents of Rimsha Colony and Akram Gill Colony to vacate their homes immediately. Nearly 25,000 people now live in fear and uncertainty, struggling to secure alternative housing, employment, and schooling for their children in such a short timeframe.

Residents insist that they are not illegal settlers. Many of these families, mostly sanitation workers and daily-wage laborers, were relocated to this area by the state in the early 2010s following security concerns after the blasphemy case involving Rimsha Masih in 2012. At the time, the relocation was presented as a protective measure. Today, they face the opposite: being asked to leave without a concrete resettlement plan.

The settlements themselves lack essential infrastructure. Residents report no proper schools, limited healthcare facilities, no hospitals, and inadequate roads and utilities. Yet, many continue to serve the city diligently through sanitation and other municipal work.

Human rights advocates warn that such evictions raise serious concerns about the treatment of religious minorities and low-income communities. The 2015 judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan emphasized the state’s responsibility to protect the dignity, security, and rights of minority minority communities. Evicting thousands of vulnerable citizens without an organized resettlement plan contradicts these obligations and threatens their basic human rights.

Pastor Imran Amanat stated:

"These families are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for time, dignity, and the basic right to live with security. Forcing them out in three days is inhumane and unjust."

For the residents of H-9, Rimsha Colony, and Akram Gill Colony, the future is uncertain. After years of living, working, and contributing to the capital, many fear they may soon be left without homes or livelihoods.

The community’s call is simple: respect, fairness, and a humane resettlement process. It is a plea not just for housing but for recognition of their rights as equal citizens of Pakistan.

#Islamabad #HumanRights #MinorityRights #ChristianCommunity #RimshaColony #GillColony #HousingRights #JusticeForMinorities #Pakistan #StopEvictions #EqualCitizenship #ReligiousFreedom