Historic Noorpur Shahan bazaar demolished

ISLAMABAD: Authorities on Friday bulldozed the main historic market in Noorpur Shahan near the Bari Imam shrine as part of an ongoing anti-encroachment operation, clearing a one-kilometre-long central bazaar in the 350-year-old settlement.

The demolished market included grocery shops, medical stores, mobile phone outlets, general stores, hotels, banks and businesses connected to the Bari Imam shrine. These also included vendors selling ceremonial sheets, rings, flowers and other offerings. Shops involved in preparing traditional food, yoghurt, rice and large cooking cauldrons were also brought down.

With the removal of the bazaar, commercial activity in the Bari Imam area has effectively come to a halt, creating difficulties for pilgrims visiting the shrine. Following the demolition of flower and ceremonial sheet shops, vendors have been temporarily allowed to sell their items on roadsides until Eidul Azha.

Scale of operation

The Capital Development Authority said that 1,000 acres of land have so far been retrieved during the drive. According to the authority, 17,640 houses in 13 localities have been demolished over the course of the month-long operation.

Eight areas are still to be cleared, and a new phase of the operation is scheduled to begin on Monday from Dori Bagh and Shah Madan. Authorities plan to complete the remaining demolitions before Eidul Azha.

An additional area of 10 to 15 kanals around the shrine will eventually also be cleared and brought under state control.

Residents selling debris and livestock

The large-scale demolition has also drawn contractors dealing in used construction material from across Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Using loaders and labourers, they are buying material from demolished houses at fixed rates.

Single-storey houses are being purchased for Rs200,000 to Rs250,000, double-storey structures for Rs400,000, and triple-storey buildings for as much as Rs500,000. Residents, facing limited options, are selling their properties at these rates.

Livestock including goats, cows, buffaloes and bulls are also reportedly being bought at low prices.

Contractors are allegedly paying officials to partially damage otherwise sound houses by removing only outer walls, after which the contractors dismantle the remaining structure themselves and transport the material away.

Aftermath in demolished localities

The cleared neighbourhoods now present scenes of widespread destruction, with household belongings still buried under rubble. Scrap collectors have been seen removing iron, wood and even children’s toys from the debris, while reports of looting have also emerged.

The operation is continuing in the remaining localities as authorities move to finish the drive ahead of Eidul Azha.