J. Salik Issues Stark Warning: Stop Evicting Islamabad’s Informal Settlements or Risk Humanitarian Crisis

ISLAMABAD: Former Federal Minister J. Salik staged a solitary march from his residence to GPO Islamabad, issuing a stern warning against the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) plans to evict thousands of Christian residents from Islamabad’s informal settlements. He demanded immediate legal recognition and property rights for these vulnerable communities, cautioning that continued aggression could trigger a severe national crisis.
Addressing the press, J. Salik said, “Displacing poor citizens in the midst of escalating regional tensions is not just negligence—it is a dangerous conspiracy against Pakistan. Evictions at this stage risk destabilizing society and causing irreversible damage.” He called on President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir to immediately intervene and halt the CDA’s aggressive actions.
J. Salik stressed that his solitary march was conducted in compliance with Section 144, but it symbolized the desperate voice of thousands of residents—nearly 4,000 families, totaling over 20,000 people—facing imminent eviction. “The mental anguish inflicted by CDA’s notices is unacceptable. Evicting such a large population will not only displace families but also disrupt essential city services, including sanitation and domestic work, potentially sparking a larger social and economic crisis.”
He issued a clear warning to authorities: “The state must act as a guardian, not an oppressor. Indifference and cruelty toward minority citizens send a dangerous signal that some Pakistanis have no protection. If the CDA proceeds with demolitions, the consequences will be severe and unavoidable.”
J. Salik demanded an immediate review of all demolition orders and urged that informal settlements be granted legal protection and property rights, ensuring that thousands of hardworking families are not rendered homeless.
“This is a last warning—ignore it at your peril. The voices of Islamabad’s marginalized will not be silenced,” he concluded.