CDA removes golden hands sculpture in Islamabad: Here’s why!

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday removed the recently installed ‘Golden Hands’ statue located along Margalla Avenue in Islamabad.

The artwork depicted two large golden hands holding two balls resembling objects resembling a world map. Installed by a private developer, the statue quickly gained attention on social media, sparking a wave of debate, memes and speculation over its symbolism.

Soon after its installation, the monument became the subject of intense online debate. Social media users assigned different meanings to the structure and many interpreted it as a symbol of Pakistan’s growing global presence while others saw it as an enthusiastic but flawed artistic expression.

Amidst the growing online uproar, CDA officials reportedly took action. Initially, the statue was covered with a cloth in an apparent attempt to minimize public backlash. Later, the structure was dismantled and removed using heavy machinery and labor teams. The CDA is yet to issue an official statement explaining the reasons for the removal.

Earlier, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had raided a scam call center in the federal capital and arrested five foreign nationals, including more than 65 people.

The law enforcement agency also seized records of illegal activities at the scam call center, officials said.

Five foreigners and more than 60 Pakistani boys and girls were arrested during the raid in Islamabad’s G-10 sector, officials said, who were running the scam center’s operations.

The agency’s spokesperson said that further legal action would be taken against those who provided facilities and security to these individuals.

Earlier this month, police raided a scam call center in Faisalabad and arrested 149 people – including 71 foreigners, mostly Chinese nationals, the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency said last Thursday.