ISLAMABAD: In a significant development for thousands of homeowners, the Islamabad High Court has halted demolition proceedings in Ghauri Town Phase 7, offering immediate relief to nearly 20,000 residents facing uncertainty over their homes. The court’s intervention has temporarily stopped the Capital Development Authority from taking any coercive action.

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan issued the stay order while hearing a petition filed by Advocate Mohammad Asif Gujar, who challenged the legality and timing of the demolition notices. The court also served notices to the CDA and other relevant authorities, directing them to submit their responses before further proceedings.

According to the petition, the civic authority had issued demolition notices on February 24, triggering panic across the locality. Residents argued that the move, carried out during the holy month of Ramazan, caused severe mental distress and hardship for families already grappling with economic pressures.

The petitioner contended that the notices were not only ill-timed but also lacked due consideration of the scale of displacement involved. Thousands of families, including women, children and elderly residents, were at risk of losing shelter, raising serious humanitarian concerns.

The plea further urged the court to order the regularisation of Ghauri Town Phase 7, citing precedents set in similar cases such as the Bani Gala verdict. It also called for the provision of essential utilities including electricity and gas, which remain inconsistent or unavailable in parts of the area.

Granting interim relief, the court restrained authorities from taking any adverse action against the petitioner and residents until a final decision is reached. The case is expected to resume after responses from the concerned departments, with the outcome likely to have far-reaching implications for urban settlements in Islamabad.