Islamabad police arrested and assaulted veteran leftist activist Ismat Raza Shahjahan along with scores of people for their protest against Capital Development Authority (CDA) over demolition of katchi abadis (informal settlements) which rendered residents homeless. While Ismat was released after a few hours, other arrestees remain in police custody without registration of a First Information Report (FIR).
According to reports, the Islamabad police picked up 50 protesters opposing the eviction of slum dwellers near the federal capital’s D-12 area without registration of FIRs.
The political worker was arrested along with her husband Professor Shahjahan, who is also a senior Awami Workers Party leader.
Ismat Raza Shahjahan was released later, however, the remaining protesters remain in police custody at Police Station Golra Sharif.
Women Democratic Front and civil society have condemned the arrest of political workers and protesters.
We are furious over the arrest of WDF federal president @IsmatShahjahan who was manhandled along with others, for peacefully protesting in support of katchi abadi residents of D12 who have been at the receiving end of violence inflicted by @CDAthecapital.
— Women Democratic Front ناری جمھوری محاذ (@wdf_pk) April 28, 2023
We demand the immediate release of @IsmatShahjahan and all others in police custody. The state’s hatred for poor residents of the capital and those who stand with them, has been laid bare! The right to peaceful protest is a constitutional right.
— Women Democratic Front ناری جمھوری محاذ (@wdf_pk) April 28, 2023
Later in the day, Women Democratic Forum shared that the police lodged an FIR against Ismat Shahjahan and others on the charges of attempted murder.
An FIR has been lodged against @IsmatShahjahan & katchi abadi residents of D-12 who are still in police custody, who are being presented before the magistrate right now, under the preposterous offence of attempted murder. Shame on both @ICT_Police & @CDAthecapital for this farce. pic.twitter.com/KqSZ0ms3UH
— Women Democratic Front ناری جمھوری محاذ (@wdf_pk) April 29, 2023
The police also included other dubious charges, ranging from theft to mischief causing damage, against the arrested residents of katchi abadi.
 over demolition of katchi abadis (informal settlements) which rendered residents homeless. While Ismat was released after a few hours, other arrestees remain in police custody without registration of a First Information Report (FIR).){kind=link}