A late-night enforcement action targeting a prominent residential tower in Islamabad triggered widespread confusion and criticism, prompting federal authorities to suspend further steps pending a formal review.
In the early hours of the night, law enforcement personnel were deployed at multiple access points of One Constitution Avenue, a high-rise residential complex located on Constitution Avenue.
Residents reported being instructed to vacate their apartments before midnight, forcing families to hurriedly gather belongings amid uncertainty and distress.
The action followed a ruling by the Islamabad High Court, which upheld the Capital Development Authority decision to cancel the building’s lease. The cancellation was based on alleged payment defaults by the project’s development company, according to official records.
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The sudden enforcement sparked a strong public reaction, particularly due to reports that several well-known political figures and public personalities own apartments in the complex.
Names circulating in public discussion included Imran Khan, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Zaka Ashraf, Shehzad Waseem, Hammad Azhar, Ahsan Mani, Waleed Iqbal, Fazila Abbasi, Hamza Ali Abbasi, and Kashmala Tariq. Officials, however, have not issued an official list of apartment owners.
As criticism mounted over the timing and execution of the operation, Shehbaz Sharif intervened, ordering an immediate halt to further action. The prime minister directed the formation of a high-level committee to reassess the situation and ensure due process for all affected residents.
The review body will be led by Azam Nazeer Tarar, with participation from senior federal and administrative officials. The committee has been tasked with submitting its findings to the prime minister within one week.
Until the review is completed, authorities have been instructed to suspend enforcement measures and provide residents with an opportunity to present their case. Officials say the pause is intended to balance the enforcement of court rulings with the rights and safety of occupants.
The episode has renewed debate over regulatory oversight of large real-estate projects in Islamabad, particularly regarding transparency, enforcement timelines, and the treatment of residents in legal disputes between authorities and developers.
