Clashes erupt in Islamabad’s Noor Pur Shahan as CDA anti-encroachment drive turns violent

-- Protesters torch CDA vehicles, injure officials amid two-day unrest

ISLAMABAD: Tensions flared for a second consecutive day in Noor Pur Shahan (Bari Imam) a suburban locality of the federal capital as an anti encroachment operation by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) turned violent triggering clashes between residents and officials.

The operation led by CDA’s Blue eyed officer Dr Anum Fatima began Tuesday morning targeting what authorities described as illegal constructions. However, the situation quickly escalated when a large number of local residents gathered at the site and began protesting against the action.

Eyewitnesses said the protest intensified rapidly leading to heated exchanges and subsequent clashes between demonstrators and the CDA team. The unrest soon turned violent, with protesters allegedly setting two CDA vehicles on fire, spreading fear and panic across the area.

Despite the deteriorating situation, officials on the ground appeared unable to contain the unrest effectively. Notably Islamabad Police reached the scene after the situation had already escalated and efforts were then made to restore order.

According to police officials additional personnel were deployed to control the situation while evidence is being collected to identify those involved in the violence. Authorities have vowed strict legal action against individuals responsible for damaging public property.

Meanwhile residents claimed that the operation was conducted without prior notice, which fueled anger and led to the protests.

An FIR registered at Secretariat Police Station on the complaint of CDA Assistant Director Syed Zafar Ali includes charges of terrorism and other serious offenses. The report states that a mob of over 200 individuals attacked officials during the operation resorting to firing, stone pelting, and petrol bombs. Several government vehicles were destroyed, and multiple police and CDA personnel sustained injuries.

Police also confirmed that dozens of suspects have been arrested, with weapons recovered from their possession, while raids are ongoing to apprehend others who fled the scene.

In contrast a CDA spokesperson told Pakistan Today that the operation was conducted in strict compliance with legal requirements and court directives. The authority maintains that such actions are part of its statutory duty to reclaim state land that has already been acquired and compensated.

A CDA official speaking on condition of anonymityb referenced a 2011 Supreme Court ruling, which clearly stated that land acquired after compensation fully vests in the authority and failure to take possession constitutes negligence that must be rectified

It is worth noting that despite paying compensation for hundreds of kanals of land the CDA has struggled for decades to take possession of several acquired areas including sectors E-12 and D-13.

According to CDA sources, the residents of Noor Pur Shahan were fully compensated at the time of land acquisition. Under the relevant policy, landowners were reportedly allotted 100 kanals of agricultural land in Punjab exchange for every four kanals acquired, along with separate compensation for structures, wells, and trees. Officials claim that 437 claims were settled at the time

Sources within CDA’s Land and Rehabilitation Wing added that in some cases, temporary residence was allowed since the land was not immediately required. However, these permissions were purely provisional and did not confer ownership rights, nor did they impose any long term obligations on the authority.

The CDA had carried out a similar operation in Saidpur Village days earlier where comparable scenes of resistance were witnessed. However, officials have remained tight lipped about the future use of the reclaimed land in both Noor Pur Shahan and Saidpur.

No clear policy direction has yet been provided by newly appointed CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Sohail Ashraf, regarding the intended utilization of the recovered land leaving key questions unanswered.