Kachi abadis face constitutional crisis amid ongoing demolitions and identity denial

A major constitutional and humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the federal capital, warned the All Pakistan Alliance for Kachi Abadi raising alarm over the continuous violation of judicial orders by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) over the demolition of lower income settlement areas.Speaking to Voicepk, Dr Asim Sajjad Akhtar head of the Awami Workers Party (AWP) highlighted that despite judicial intervention the threat to low-income housing persists.

“The process of demolition continues even today,” he said.”While it may not be on a large scale currently the atmosphere of fear remains the same. This is a blatant violation of the courts stay order. We will inform the court and today we have formally written to the CDA stating that we will not accept this.”

In a press conference held at the National Press Club prominent political and academic figures gathered under the banner of the All Pakistan Alliance for Kachi Abadi Speakers rejected the CDAs current policies labeling them elite-centric They argued that while the state provides protection to mega-projects like Bahria Town and DHA the CDA is failing in its legal obligation under the 1960 Ordinance to regularize kachi abadis.

Alia Amirali a social and political activist provided a detailed critique of the CDAs recent submission to the court,

“The purpose of our press conference today is to reject the proposed regulations submitted by the CDA to the court According to what we have learned the CDA documents mention only 6 kachi abadis,” she said. “However the federal government’s own National Housing Policy 2025 recognizes 63 settlements Furthermore the CDA only intends to recognize those residents present in the 2002 survey amounting to less than 2500 households which is unrealistic. This is a failure of the CDAs basic constitutional responsibility to align with national policy and court orders ”

Days before, during the hearings at the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) CDA council Qasim Chauhan presented the authorities perspective on the regularization delay. He argued that the land allotted for these settlements is sometimes misused with multiple houses being built for members of the same family which complicates the regularization process. He further stated that the comprehensive policy was delayed due to a change in the CDA chairmanship but assured the court it would be approved in the next board meeting.

Despite these justifications Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan and Justice Syed Arshad Hussain Shah have maintained the stay order restraining the CDA from further evictions and demanding a policy within four weeks.

The crisis has moved beyond the demolition of physical structures Residents allege that NADRA and other relevant authorities are now refusing to issue basic identity documents including B-Forms birth and death certificates for residents of these settlements.

Chaudhry Fayyaz James a resident of Allama Iqbal Colony G-7 reported that he has been unable to obtain a birth certificate for his nephew simply because they reside in a kachi abadi. He stated that while they were already taking the roof from over their heads the state is now snatching their children’s identity.

Riaz Mashwani a resident of H-11/4 shared that his cousin Shoaib’s death certificate was refused at the G-11 Facilitation Center and he was told that documents for kachi abadi residents cannot be processed He noted that despite court orders the CDA has failed to consult with residents on policy making.

Representatives from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have expressed grave concern over the situation calling for an immediate end to the harassment. The All Pakistan Alliance for Kachi Abadi has issued a final warning if illegal demolitions and the denial of services continue they will file contempt of court petitions against the CDA in the Federal Constitutional Court.

Voicepk reached out to CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani via phone and WhatsApp for a response to these allegations but no reply was received by the time of publication.