Families in Islamabad Face Sudden Eviction Orders
About 25,000 Christians living in Islamabad say they were suddenly told to leave their homes. The notice comes from the Capital Development Authority, which says the settlements aren’t legal.
Many of these families moved to the capital after the Rimsha Masih case in 2013. Back then a 14-year-old girl was arrested on blasphemy charges. The case rattled Pakistan’s Christian communities and pushed families to seek safer places to live. Over the last decade they rebuilt their lives in those neighborhoods.
Now they face eviction. There’s no clear plan from authorities. International Christian Concern warns: “There is no proper resettlement plan, no alternative land, and no clear compensation being offered to these families. This has raised serious concerns among the community.”
People are scared. Many come from low-income backgrounds. They do day jobs. “They work in jobs such as sanitation, domestic work, and other day labor,” International Christian Concern said. Missing a single day of work can be a big financial hit. Yet some are staying home out of fear that their houses might be demolished while they are away.
Local believers are praying and protesting. They are asking officials to pause the evictions until a fair solution is found. The threat isn’t just about losing a roof. In Pakistan, blasphemy laws have been used to target Christians. False accusations pop up. Convictions can carry the death penalty. Mob violence is also a real danger, and protection is limited.
Human rights groups point out the wider problem of persecution and the urgent need for legal safeguards and resettlement options. For now, families wait. They need answers. They need basic security. And they need time to plan their next steps.