[Today’s Prayer] Pakistan Court Halts Forced Evictions in Islamabad, Giving About 25,000 Christians Temporary Relief

On April 20 (local time), U.S.-based Christian Daily International (CDI) reported that around 25,000 Christians living in informal settlements in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, have gained temporary relief from the threat of forced eviction following a court decision.

Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) ordered authorities to halt the imminent evictions and to finalize long-delayed regulations for legalizing the settlements within four weeks. However, the local Christian community responded cautiously, noting that similar court orders in the past were not properly implemented, so it remains to be seen whether this decision will be enforced in practice.

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During the trial, the Chief Justice questioned Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman about why the Capital Development Authority had still not completed the relevant regulations. Rehman explained that administrative changes, including leadership replacements, caused the delay, but added that a draft has now been prepared and only the approval process remains.

Faisal Siddiqui, a Supreme Court lawyer representing the petitioners, argued that forced evictions carried out without due process violate constitutionally protected rights. He emphasized that this case is not a matter of charity or sympathy but of clear legal rights, and that residents should not be evicted without providing alternative housing. In response to a question from the court about whether Islamabad’s urban planning includes provisions for low-income settlements, Rehman stated that while they are not formally included, settlements formed before 1995 have been recognized on humanitarian grounds.

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However, the petitioners argued that there is a large gap between government statistics and reality. They stated that around 400,000 people live in informal settlements across Islamabad, many of whom belong to one of the most economically vulnerable religious minority groups in Pakistan—the Christian community. After hearing both sides, the court postponed further proceedings for four weeks and instructed the Capital Development Authority to finalize and submit the regulations by then.

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Imran Shahzad Sahotra, a leader in the Christian community, welcomed the court’s decision but said it is too early to feel fully reassured. He pointed out that in 2016, the Supreme Court issued a similar ruling, yet evictions continued on the ground. He said that despite previous court orders, demolitions went on and their community continued to live in fear and suffering, and that only actual enforcement of this decision will bring real relief.

According to a 2025 report titled “Permanent Impermanence” by the Awami Workers Party, about half of Islamabad’s informal settlements have significant Christian populations, and among the ten officially recognized settlements, four are majority Christian. Archbishop Joseph Arshad of the Islamabad-Rawalpindi Catholic Archdiocese also stated that the ruling is a positive step toward protecting marginalized communities. He emphasized that residents of these settlements also have the right to dignity, legal protection, and access to basic services.

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Local community representatives expressed concern that the eviction efforts are increasing instability for daily wage workers and low-income families. Most residents do not have the financial means to relocate immediately, and they hope that this court decision will lead not just to a temporary delay, but to real institutional reform and guarantees of housing rights.

Source: Christian Daily

“I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down with no one to make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country.” (Leviticus 26:6)

We hear that through the decision of the Pakistan court, Christians living in informal settlements in Islamabad have temporarily escaped the threat of forced eviction.

Lord, let the Islamic regime that practices religious discrimination—such as forcibly demolishing the homes of religious minorities in Pakistan, especially economically vulnerable Christians—be brought down.

Let all forced evictions be stopped, and let the long-delayed legalization of the settlements be completed quickly, so that people may be freed from the fear and suffering of losing their homes. And let Pakistani Christians live as sojourners, placing their hope in the eternal kingdom of God.

Please watch over Pakistani Christians who are at risk of having no place to live, as the apple of Your eye. Grant peace in the land, drive away those who bring fear, and protect them from the threat of violence, so that they may overcome through reliance on You.

Also, let the global church pray together for the situation in Pakistan, and let the Pakistani church bear one another’s burdens and serve each other in love.

So that Pakistan may boldly proclaim the victory of the cross of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.