100,000 minority voters live in Katchi Abadis, Parliament seeks housing plan

Islamabad: The Parliamentary Caucus on Minorities has put the Islamabad Police recruitment drive for 1,588 posts under strict scrutiny, demanding full implementation of the 5 percent minority quota and inclusion of backlog posts according to Supreme Court directions.

The committee also issued a final warning over the absence of the Inspector General Islamabad Police from the meeting.

The issue was discussed during a meeting chaired by Senator Danesh Kumar, where lawmakers examined minority rights, police recruitment, housing problems and the condition of historic places of worship in Islamabad.

The committee directed the police to ensure that minority candidates receive their legally required share in the current recruitment process.

Members also demanded that posts from the minority quota that remained unfilled in previous recruitment drives should be added to the present process in line with Supreme Court directives.

The absence of the Islamabad Police chief angered the committee, which issued a final warning to the police department.

The committee then turned to the housing problems faced by minorities living in informal settlements.

MNA Naveed Amir told the committee that around 100,000 minority voters live in Katchi Abadi areas.

He called for a humane housing policy under which these residents could be moved to suitable alternative locations without causing financial loss or emotional distress.

The committee directed the government and Ministry of Religious Affairs to work on a suitable policy for people living in these settlements.

Officials of the Capital Development Authority briefed the committee about 10 recognised Katchi Abadis and several other unrecognised settlements in Islamabad.

The committee ordered strict monitoring to stop further illegal expansion of these settlements.

Lawmakers also examined compensation paid to displaced residents and ordered an internal inquiry into past cases of double compensation.

The committee also took up the condition of historic places of worship in Saidpur Village.

Officials discussed the transfer of intact but non functional historical sites, including a 16th century Rama Mandir, Gurdwara and Dharamshala, to the Evacuee Trust Property Board for restoration and future use.

The committee appreciated the role of the Evacuee Trust Property Board and decided to conduct an on site visit to Saidpur Village before the historic sites are opened to the public.

The committee also directed that these properties be restored and used properly, while ensuring that their land is reassessed fairly.

The committee ordered that no illegal religious structure should be demolished without a proper alternative arrangement. Members said such action should not hurt religious sentiments.

The CDA was directed to provide a complete report on the Dharamshala at Rawal Lake and a detailed briefing on land allocated for minority graveyards at the next meeting.