Pakistan

Residents of One Constitution Avenue apartments urged to evacuate

Published by

Staff Reporter

2 months ago

ISLAMABAD: The upscale One Constitution Avenue Twin Towers, located in Islamabad, are among the two most expensive high-end residential buildings experiencing eviction, resulting in emergency evacuation for all their residents.

Islamabad Capital Territory police authorities conducted a major operation when they entered the One Constitution Ave building to announce their evacuation orders to all people inside the structure.

The sudden operation created panic among the building residents, who expressed their fear because they did not know what would happen next. Residents said they were told an “order from above” had been issued, directing them to vacate the property within 12 hours.

The security personnel and police neither presented a court order nor shared any legal documents or explanation, and simply ordered them to vacate the premises by 12 noon, the residents said.

The building has remained involved in legal battles for more than two decades. During this period, courts allowed people to purchase apartments, invest their savings, and rent out properties legally.

Residents and tenants said they exercised their property and tenancy rights in good faith. The residents asked how authorities could execute evacuation orders without providing advance notice and following proper legal procedures which included conducting a hearing and giving detailed information about the situation.

The residents disapproved of the midnight operation because they wanted to know which type of court order allowed armed police officers to invade their building at 1 a.m. and treat peaceful citizens as if they were criminals. The building occupies a 13-acre area along Constitution Avenue.

The building has faced ongoing disputes about its compliance with lease agreements. The operation began after the Islamabad High Court confirmed the Capital Development Authority’s decision to terminate the lease of One Constitution Avenue because the company failed to pay its multi-billion-rupee debt.

Staff Reporter