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.