ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday ordered the Capital Development Authority to immediately stop its ongoing demolition operation in Muslim Colony, an informal settlement near Bari Imam, after residents challenged the civic body’s actions.

Justice Raja Inam Ameen Minhas issued the directive while hearing a petition filed by residents and sought a detailed reply from the CDA by December 16. The court noted that no further action could be taken until the authority presented its formal response.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Sardar Abdul Razzaq, argued that thousands of people have been living in Muslim Colony, Noor Pur and Bari Imam since the 1960s. He reminded the court that the Supreme Court had earlier directed authorities to create a proper mechanism to deal with katchi abadis, but the CDA had proceeded with demolitions without following those guidelines.

He said structures were being torn down without issuing notices to the residents, terming the operation unlawful and procedurally flawed. The counsel requested the court to protect vulnerable families from displacement, stressing that the civic body lacked any legal basis to conduct the drive.

Accepting the plea, the court suspended the operation and instructed the CDA to halt all activities in the area until further orders. The judge observed that the matter required a comprehensive explanation from the authority before it could proceed further.

CDA had been razing structures in Muslim Colony for several days as part of what it described as a broader campaign against illegal constructions. The authority will now be required to justify its actions when the case is taken up again on December 16.