The Islamabad High Court Wednesday directed the Federal Secretary Interior, Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Inspector General Police Islamabad to remove Katchi Abadis (slum areas) in the Federal Capital in one week. A single-member bench comprising Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui issued the directives while hearing a plea filed by residents of Katchi Abadis through their lawyer Farrukh Daal against the order of removal of slum areas from the Capital.
The court directed the authorities concerned to continue operation against Katchi Abadis and submit separate reports in this regard till next date of hearing, ie, April 23. Secretary Interior, Shahid Khan, Chairman CDA Maroof Afzal, Chief Commissioner and Inspector General Police Islamabad appeared before the court. Justice Siddiqui remarked that Katchi Abadis have been set up due to the negligence of the CDA. The petitioner pleaded that the dwellers of Katchi Abadis would not be exiled on humanitarian grounds as they are living in the Abadis since last many years. The court adjourned proceeding of the case till April 23.