IT was deeply unsettling and heartrending to observe the demolition operation recently undertaken by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Bari Imam and other rural settlements of Islamabad. It was not merely an administrative exercise; it was a humanitarian tragedy that has shaken the conscience of many. Entire neighbour-hoods were reduced to rubble within hours, leaving behind scenes of anguish and despair.

While the imperatives of urban planning and legality may necessitate difficult decisions, the manner and timing of such operations must reflect compassion, preparedness and a genuine concern for citizens’ welfare. The absence of adequate notice, meaningful consultation, and a comprehensive resettlement or compen-sation plan raises serious questions about governance and the state’s responsibility towards its people.

However, in the case of One Constitution Avenue building, where the elite occupied luxury apartments in the same city, the government immediately formed a committee to investigate the matter and address ‘grievances’. One wonders why the residents of Bari Imam were denied such urgency. Should justice and responsiveness be contingent upon the ‘location’ or ‘status’ of those affected? The anguish of a marginalised family deserved the same urgency and seriousness as that of any other citizen.

Development, if it comes at the cost of human suffering and social dislocation, risks losing its moral and constitutional legitimacy. A humane state must strive not only to enforce laws, but also to protect the dignity and rights of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable among them all.

Muhammad Asif
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2026