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.
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