Archbishop calls for compassionate rehabilitation

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Mar, 2026) The Archbishop Dr Joseph Arshad has called for an immediate halt to ongoing actions against informal settlements (katchi abadis) in the Federal capital, requesting the authorities to ensure dignified rehabilitation of the affected residents.

In his statement issued here, the Archbishop said that displacing thousands of families who have been living in these areas for decades, without providing alternative housing and a clear policy framework, could lead to a serious humanitarian crisis.

He requested the relevant authorities to develop a fair and sustainable solution in consultation with the affected communities.

He noted that recent developments have created fear, anxiety, and psychological distress among the residents. “These families have lived here for years and have significantly contributed to the social and economic fabric of the capital,” he added.

Emphasizing that the right to shelter is a fundamental human right, he stated that no citizen should be rendered homeless without due legal process, respect for human dignity, and provision of adequate alternative housing.

He urged policymakers to formulate a comprehensive and long-term policy framework ensuring legal recognition of long-established settlements where applicable, provision of adequate alternative housing prior to any relocation, inclusion of community representatives in decision-making processes, and protection of minorities and vulnerable groups from discrimination and forced evictions.

The Archbishop also expressed full solidarity with the affected families and called upon civil society, religious leaders, and government institutions to work collectively towards building a just, inclusive, and peaceful society.

“Let us choose dialogue over displacement, justice over expediency, and humanity over indifference,” he said.