May 4, 2026
Hafiz ullah Storai Sherani
ISLAMABAD
Residents of Islamabad’s upscale One Constitution Avenue are being forced to vacate their apartments amid a long-running legal dispute between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the building’s developers, leaving dozens of families suddenly homeless despite claiming legal ownership. The crisis has escalated after authorities issued eviction notices and deployed heavy personnel, prompting backlash from residents who called the move illegal and damaging to investor confidence.
Although Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif intervened to halt the operation and ordered an inquiry, the incident has ignited criticism over unequal treatment, as thousands of slum dwellers in Islamabad continue to face demolitions without similar government attention, highlighting stark disparities in access to justice.
One Constitution Avenue spans 13 acres and consists of two major towers, ‘B’ and ‘C’. According to the management, nearly 300 people, including 20 foreign nationals, resided in the 244 apartments. As of now, about 50 families have already vacated the premises, and the evacuation continues.
One of these is Muhammad Fahad, who with a heavy heart is moving out of his home in the towering skyscraper. He had happily moved there from Bahria Town only six months ago. Now he finds himself searching for temporary shelter, possibly at a friend’s house.
“We were given a notice only a few days ago to either vacate or to have our doors broken down,” he said, while shifting his belongings out of the house. But Fahad’s story is one of many in a crisis that has gripped one of Islamabad’s most prestigious residential addresses.
Located in Islamabad’s high-security Red Zone near the Supreme Court and Prime Minister House—the project’s legal troubles date back to 2004. Originally leased by the BNP Group from the CDA for a five-star hotel, the construction of residential apartments led to a long legal battle. Although the Supreme Court restored the lease in 2019 on the condition of a $17.5$ billion PKR payment, the CDA cancelled it again due to non-payment.
Tension peaked on April 30th when the Islamabad High Court (IHC) maintained a stay order, prompting the CDA and administration to order residents out within 24 hours. Residents and owners have slammed the move as illegal.
“We bought these apartments years ago with full knowledge of the CDA. We have the legal documents and have paid the full price,” said Shamoon Khan Durrani, an owner of one of the apartments.
Another resident, Barrister Dawood, highlighted the impact on Pakistan’s global image.
“Over 1,200 personnel were brought in to evict people without legal warrants. Treating overseas Pakistanis and foreigners this way will directly damage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).”
A tale of two cities
Following the outcry, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice and halted the operation, forming a committee led by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to submit a report within a week. However, this intervention has sparked a fresh debate. While the government moved quickly to protect the residents of Constitution Avenue, thousands of victims from Islamabad’s katchi abadis (slums) are still demanding justice.
Chaudhry Fayyaz James, a leader representing slum residents, questioned the double standard: “The PM should form a committee for us as well. The CDA has already demolished over 8,000 houses of the poor, and this process is still ongoing. No one listens to us.”
The situation now poses a critical question for the authorities – will relief be exclusive to the high-profile residents of Constitution Avenue, or will the thousands of homeless families from the city’s slums also find a path to justice?