A Cry for Shelter

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: In the heart of the ‘Land of the Pure,’ amid echoes of prosperity promises within the corridors of power, a harsh reality emerges where the impoverished cry for shelter.

The impoverished, facing a staggering 40 percent inflation rate, find themselves in the shadows of progress as their humble abodes are ruthlessly razed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

This brutal act, purportedly in the name of development and security, leaves families destitute and exposed to the biting cold.

In a year marred by devastating floods displacing millions, the international pledges made during donor conferences seem to have evaporated before reaching those in dire need. Approximately half the population struggles below the poverty line, where survival becomes a daily battle.

The lens reveals a family’s poignant struggle to exist close to those in power, resulting in their eviction. While a compassionate approach would suggest offering alternative housing, such considerations are rare in a country where a large part of the population lives in extreme poverty.

As winter intensifies, those responsible for the demolitions retreat to their warm beds, detached from the repercussions of their actions. The undeniable truth is that the urban poor often find refuge in slums, neglected by authorities, and devoid of basic amenities.

In the federal capital, slum residents face evictions and notices, highlighting a systemic disregard for the most vulnerable.

These slums, conveniently labeled as blights, become lucrative opportunities for developers and local governments, with their prime locations seen as potential gold mines. In this pursuit, human lives hold little value in a nation where even utility bills can induce heart attacks and depression. It’s a chilling paradox where progress seems to come at the expense of those who can afford it the least.

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.

Photo Credit: Sohail Shahzad

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