Protecting the voiceless: Katchi abadis’ residents to resist eviction

Residents, activists demand long-term solution for housing the urban poor.

ISLAMABAD:

Residents of katchi abadis from across Islamabad said that any attempt of eviction by the state will be strongly resisted in a meeting held here on Tuesday.

The meeting organised by Awami Workers Party (AWP) and All-Pakistan Alliance for Katchi Abadis was attended by a large number of residents of abadies and workers of the progressive political party.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) recently directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to remove all illegal slums in the capital.

AWP Islamabad Chapter’s General Secretary Shehak Sattar expressed concern over the order lamenting that slum dwellers were still regarded as ‘illegal’ and ‘criminal’ due to their social and economic class.

AWP Punjab General Secretary Aasim Sajjad Akhtar said that the current situation arose due to the CDA’s short-sighted policies, the civic agency having failed to fulfil its responsibilities of providing adequate shelter and housing to Islamabad’s inhabitants.

Akhtar said that any displacement of katchi abadi residents would be highly disruptive for the capital city, as its economy depended on these very residents.

Sheikh Abdur Rehman of AWP asserted that most people residing in katchi abadis aspire towards normal lives, but are hindered in pursuing their goals due to the state’s draconian policies.

Members of the All-Pakistan Alliance for Katchi Abadis and katchi abadi residents spoke of the need for unity and resolve in the face of all attempts at forcible displacement by the authorities. They said they wanted a long-term solution for housing the urban poor, and called upon the authorities to arrive at this solution in close, effective consultation with residents of the katchi abadis.

The katchi abadis represented on the occasion were I-11,  H-11, I-9, Muslim Colony, France Colony, Maskeen-Musharraf Colony G-8 and Iqbal Town G-7.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2014.