ISLAMABAD: The residents of katchi abadis, political workers and civil society representatives held a protest demonstration against the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the police on Thursday.

During the protest, organised by Awami Workers Party (AWP) outside the National Press Club, the participants said though the Supreme Court had directed the CDA and the police to respect the citizens’ right to shelter, slum dwellers were still being harassed.

It may be mentioned that on the directive of the Islamabad High Court, the CDA demolished the I-11 slum on July 31. The civic agency also plans to remove 34 more slums. Addressing the protesters, AWP Punjab president Aasim Sajjad Akhtar said they would not tolerate the eviction of the slum dwellers.

“If the police tried to evict and harass the slum residents, the AWP would approach the apex court on contempt charges. It is the time to settle the issue of katchi abadis and low-income housing on a permanent basis,” he said.

Imran Ali of H-9 katchi abadi alleged that the police recently demolished several structures in H-9 slum and stole the residents’ possessions.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2015

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