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Islamabad Observer, Islamabad (2025)

03/09/2025

A public hearing organized by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on revising water and sewerage charges ended in a mass boycott by citizens, who challenged the CDA’s legal authority to conduct such proceedings. The session, chaired by DG Water and Sanitation Sardar Khan Zimri at the Convention Center, was disrupted as participants argued that municipal functions, including utility charges, now fall under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) following the Local Government Act 2015.

Speakers, including Jamaat-e-Islami Islamabad Ameer Nasrullah Randhawa, cited a recent ruling by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the Islamabad High Court directing the federal government to transfer CDA’s municipal functions to elected local bodies. Declaring the hearing “illegal and unconstitutional,” Randhawa urged citizens to walk out in protest—an appeal that was unanimously followed, leaving the hearing without public participation.

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12/08/2025

The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration has announced a public holiday on 13th August 2025 in the federal capital. According to the notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon, the holiday will be observed across all public and private offices within Islamabad’s jurisdiction. However, offices providing essential services will remain open, including the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), Capital Development Authority (CDA), ICT Administration offices, ICT Police, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), and hospitals. The decision aims to facilitate preparations and events leading up to Independence Day celebrations.

With this announcement, residents of Islamabad are set to enjoy an extended break, marking a rare five-day long weekend. This stretch of holidays comes as 9th and 10th August fall on the weekend, followed by the Ashura public holidays on 11th and 12th August, and now the 13th August local holiday leading directly into Independence Day on the 14th. The move is expected to create a festive atmosphere in the capital, giving citizens ample opportunity to participate in cultural, recreational, and national events planned for the week.

30/07/2025

The “Haq Do Balochistan Ko” long march remains under tight siege at Mansoorah, Lahore, for over 48 hours as Punjab Police has surrounded the Central Secretariat of Jamaat-e-Islami from all sides, effectively turning it into a fortress. The government continues to block the marchers’ route to Islamabad without providing any official reason. Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan, Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch, has warned the authorities that the march will proceed to the capital at any cost—unless the government openly declares that Islamabad is not for the people of Balochistan.

In an interview, Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman revealed that the government’s Negotiations Committee lacks any real authority, stating, “They talk to us for 5 minutes and then spend the next 10 minutes on calls with someone unknown.” He further added that the committee spent over five hours at Mansoorah without reaching any conclusion. Meanwhile, senior PML-N leader Maryam Aurangzeb, along with Punjab ministers, visited Mansoorah on consecutive days, but to no avail. Simultaneously, reports from Gujranwala confirm that city entrances are being sealed with containers, signaling a broader attempt to suppress the march.

27/07/2025

In a significant development, the “Haq Do Balochistan Ko” Long March, led by Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch, resumed its journey towards Multan after a night of tension and confrontation. The march, which advocates for the recovery of missing persons and rights for the people of Balochistan, reached the Multan Toll Plaza last night, where it was stopped by Punjab Police. During the standoff, 11 participants were arrested, sparking outrage among the protestors. However, the police later released all detainees following mounting pressure.

Despite the releases, tensions escalated again this morning when authorities blocked the route near the Chenab Bridge, causing hours-long suffering for both marchers and local commuters. The protestors remained steadfast, refusing to back down, while public support in the area continued to grow. Eventually, the Punjab government relented and ordered the reopening of the route, allowing the march to continue its peaceful procession towards Multan.

26/07/2025

Multan Toll Plaza turned into a scene of intense chaos as Punjab Police stoped and done a crackdown on the peaceful Balochistan Rights March. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Balochistan Head, Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch, was forcefully stopped from entering the city to lead the welcome of the march. Shocking scenes of police brutality emerged as officers clashed violently with unarmed, peaceful protestors—many of whom were dragged, detained, and beaten without provocation. Despite the aggressive tactics, the spirit of the movement remains unbroken, and the arrested protestors have now been released and are heading back toward Multan.

Determined to resist state suppression, JI workers from Muzaffargarh began navigating through rural backroads in an attempt to reach the Toll Plaza and support the cause. Earlier, in Dera Ghazi Khan, the march received a warm public welcome led by Zeeshan Akhtar, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami South Punjab.
The convoy, now back on track and growing in numbers, is moving steadfastly toward Multan, where thousands await to show solidarity with Balochistan’s demand for justice, dignity, and fundamental rights—despite Punjab Police’s continued cruelty and intimidation.

25/07/2025

Under the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan’s Ameer, Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch, the “Haq Do Balochistan Ko” march has officially begun from Quetta. Thousands of people have joined this massive movement, which reflects the deep-rooted grievances and long-standing demands of the people of Balochistan. The march is expected to continue for several days, gaining momentum as it progresses toward the federal capital.

The protesters are demanding urgent action for the recovery of missing persons, restoration of peace and security in the province, and improved access to quality education and healthcare.

The march is scheduled to reach Islamabad on July 29, where the participants are expected to stage a major demonstration to highlight Balochistan’s issues at the national level.

22/07/2025

In a tragic turn of events, two cars were swept away in a powerful flash flood triggered by relentless monsoon rains in DHA Phase 5, Islamabad. Among the missing are a retired Colonel, a young girl, and two other unidentified individuals. The sudden surge of water engulfed the vehicles as torrential rains battered the area, submerging roads and trapping residents. Eyewitnesses reported seeing one of the cars being dragged by the fierce water current before disappearing under the murky floodwaters.

Rescue teams, including emergency services and local volunteers, immediately launched a search and rescue operation. However, despite continuous efforts, no significant progress has been made so far in locating the missing individuals or recovering the vehicles. Authorities have issued warnings to residents to stay indoors and avoid flood-prone areas, while operations continue under increasingly difficult conditions due to poor visibility and strong currents. The situation remains tense as families of the missing await any sign of hope.

21/07/2025

A tragic traffic accident occurred within the jurisdiction of Shehzad Town Police Station on Park Road, Islamabad, where a speeding car hit a pedestrian woman, resulting in her immediate death. The deceased has been identified as Musarrat Bibi, wife of Tameez Hussain Shah, a resident of Jabi. According to eyewitnesses, the woman was crossing the road when the accident took place.

The car driver sustained serious injuries and was shifted to PIMS Hospital in critical condition. Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the injured driver. Police have reached the scene and initiated further investigation to determine the cause of the accident and take necessary legal action.

21/07/2025

𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗦𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗳𝗶𝘇 𝗡𝗮𝗲𝗲𝗺’𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹!

A large protest was held at Aabpara Chowk, Islamabad, on the call of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Ameer, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, against the unjustified hikes in electricity, sugar, and petrol prices. A significant number of citizens, including, children, and the elderly, participated in the demonstration while holding placards condemning inflation and anti-people policies.
The protest was led by Jamaat-e-Islami Islamabad Ameer, Engineer Nasrullah Randhawa, who criticized the elite for exploiting the masses and highlighted that a five-percent ruling class with shared economic interests is exploiting ninety-five percent of the population.

During his address, Nasrullah Randhawa emphasized that Pakistan is passing through a critical juncture in its history. Rising inflation, worsening unemployment, a collapsing economy, and an unresolved energy crisis have made life unbearable for the common man. He warned that if the people do not unite and take a decisive stand against the corrupt and self-serving elite, they will soon lose even the basic right to live. He urged the government to take immediate notice of the public’s plight and provide relief by reducing the prices of petrol, gas, and electricity. He added that the state’s top priority should be the protection of the common citizen, not the manipulation of statistics.

Nasrullah Randhawa further stated that those who run sugar mills, flour mills, and IPPs are present in parliament and, with full privileges, are indulging in systemic corruption while creating economic crises. He condemned how this elite class receives tax exemptions while ordinary citizens are burdened with high electricity charges even after crossing 200 units. He also raised concerns over the water scarcity in Islamabad and criticized the ongoing moves to privatize public recreational spaces. He vowed that Jamaat-e-Islami would continue to resist any attempt to trample on the rights of the people and will strongly represent the voice of 250 million Pakistanis.

19/07/2025

𝗥𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝗺 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

Rawal Dam, which had remained nearly dry for months, has astonishingly reached full capacity after just a few days of the first monsoon spell. Authorities have announced that the spillways will be opened tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM, urging citizens to stay away from nearby streams, drains, and low-lying areas. While many view the rainfall as a blessing, the sudden overflow of the dam so early in the monsoon season has raised red flags over administrative mismanagement. Islamabad’s Administration and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) are now under severe criticism for failing to clean and maintain the dam or increase its water-holding capacity during its dry spell. The period of drought was an opportunity to desilt and improve the dam’s storage potential—but instead, the chance was wasted.

Environmentalists have also pointed out that the ecosystem of Rawal Dam suffered drastically during its dry phase. Fish populations and aquatic life were severely affected, yet no steps were taken to rehabilitate or protect the natural habitat. Now, as the dam reaches capacity just after the first spell of rain, experts warn that the remainder of the monsoon season will likely result in precious freshwater being lost, as the dam lacks the space to store it.

This situation stands as a clear failure of urban water resource planning, with CDA and the concerned authorities squarely responsible. At a time when the country is battling water scarcity, such negligence reflects a dangerous disregard for environmental sustainability and urban preparedness.

19/07/2025

Massive Protest against soaring prices of Electricity, Sugar & Petrol to be held in Islamabad, Announced by Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, the protest will take place on 20th July at Aabpara Chowk, starting sharp at 5:15 PM.

This protest will be led by President Jamaat-e-Islami Islamabad, Engr. Nasrullah Randhawa, and is expected to draw large public support amid growing economic frustration.

17/07/2025

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱-𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗙-𝟴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 “𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗵𝗯𝗮𝘇 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱” 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱

The recently inaugurated F-8 Interchange—named after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and famously completed in just 45 days—has already suffered structural damage following the first major rainfall of the season. Touted as a hallmark of “Shehbaz Speed,” the project was widely celebrated by the government as a symbol of rapid development and efficiency. However, the premature deterioration of the structure has now exposed the alarming consequences of prioritizing speed and political optics over long-term sustainability and engineering integrity. The damaged interchange not only inconveniences daily commuters but also raises serious safety concerns for residents of the area.

Urban experts and civil society are increasingly voicing concerns over how such fast-tracked infrastructure projects are interfering with Islamabad’s original master plan. Rather than following a thoughtful, technically sound urban strategy, the current approach seems to be driven by glorification of political leadership through visible, short-term achievements.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA), along with other responsible bodies, must also be held accountable for approving and overseeing projects that compromise quality and safety. The incident is a glaring reminder that without proper planning, quality assurance, and adherence to standards, the very foundations of a city can be put at risk—all in the name of performance politics.

Islamabad Observer

03/09/2025

12/08/2025

30/07/2025

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26/07/2025

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