Submission to the UN OHCHR: Resettlement as a Human Rights Issue
The insights gathered in this report are a direct retelling of the experiences of residents affected by displacements and ‘anti-encroachment’ operations in Karachi.
Karachi Bachao Tehreek is an evolving & growing movement of demolition affected people and their allies in Karachi, Pakistan.
Resources
Report on Gujjar Nala Demolitions
The Karachi Bachao Tehreek conducted 80 surveys within three settlements located along the Gujjar Nullah to assess the potential impact on the people most vulnerable to the anti-encroachment drive.
Map of Demolitions
PDF of the aerial survey commissioned from NED by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation on which the Gujjar Nullah demolitions are based.
Gujjar and Orangi Nala Housing Survey
An overview of findings from a 24 question household survey conducted among residents of Gujjar and Orangi Nala over three months.
Blog
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Karachi’s Water Supply is Under Threat: Stop the Cholistan Canal Project
85% of Karachi’s water supply comes from the River Indus. If the canal modifications are implemented, the already chronic water shortage in Karachi will worsen. Karachi receives Indus water through the KB Feeder canal, off-taking from the right bank of Kotri Barrage. Reduced flows mean less dilution of upstream pollutants, making the city vulnerable to…
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Cholistan Canals: The Issue of Exploitative Development
کینالز، کارپوریٹ فارمنگ اور شہری عوام کی پیاسہے سرکش عشق دریا، بند اس پر کیوں لگاتے ہوانساں کو چاہتا ہوں میں، خدا سے کیوں ڈراتے ہو After the British left, our colonial exploitation did not end but only changed its form. After the departure of the British, Pakistan fell into the hands of the same…
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Eid Gift: Enforced Disappearances, Water Capture, and Eviction of Migrants
If you want to see what gifts states give to the people on Eid, look at Pakistan. The leaders and members of the Baloch Yakjetee Committee are being arrested for raising their voices against enforced disappearances, while the water of Sindh is being looted and handed over to canals and corporate farming built under the…
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Government Must Immediately Release the List of 6,932 Affectees Who Have Received Compensation Failure to Address Missing IDs Exposes Corruption and Mismanagement
Karachi, February 5, 2025 – Karachi Bachao Tehreek (KBT) and the victims of Gujjar Nullah demolitions held an emergency meeting to discuss the government’s recent decision to distribute housing compensation in full, without installments—a decision made only after immense pressure from the affectees. While this move is welcomed, serious concerns remain over the transparency of…
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Reflections on 12th Jan Protest
By Khurram Ali Karachi Bachao Tehreek has evolved into a truly working-class organization, with over 70% of its membership comprising residents of working-class neighborhoods, who now play a significant role in decision-making. Two key factors have contributed to this transformation: The organization’s leadership is equally revolutionary, with a central committee comprising 80% young women. In…
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Reasons to donate to Karachi Bachao Tehreek
Learn how you can donate to support stay orders and litigation against illegal demolitions, research and advocacy work, and mobilization for protests for housing justice.
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Rhetoric VS Reality: Fact-checking JI’s involvement in Gujjar & Orangi Nullah
Written By: Fizza Qureshi | Secondary Check: Aadil Ayub Claim: Jamaat-e-Islami supported residents along Gujjar and Orangi Nullahs in their fight against demolitions despite “mounting pressure.” Fact: Jamaat-i-Islami initially supported the affectees, but backed down once the Anti-Encroachment Drive began On 16 February, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman from Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) appeared in an interview with Shehzad Ghias…
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On the abduction of and sexual violence against our trans comrade and fellow #ClimateMarchKarachi organizer
We would like to thank all our friends, allies and comrades for the widespread support they have shown us over the last twenty four hours. We are all devastated by the events that have unfolded, and deeply aware of how nothing can undo the harm. There is no fix, no resolution when it comes to…
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Demolitions To Increase As Delta Variant Hits Karachi
Karachi has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant, which has been described by WHO as a variant of increased transmissibility. Without any regard for public health or for the lives of the Gujjar and Orangi Nullah residents, KMC has recently decided to expedite ongoing demotions. Karachi’s COVD-19 positivity rate…
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Update on Gujjar Nullah and Orangi Nullah Compensation Plan
Some affectees received the first checks but when they tried to cash them, the checks bounced. Affectees were also told that they would not be receiving the second check either. As of now, no compensation or emergency funding has been given to affectees. What Are the Checks For? When the government started demolishing houses, KMC…