An investigative report by senior journalist Hassan Ayub has exposed a coordinated campaign of false propaganda against Dr Taqeer Shah related to the Islamabad victims matter. The report assembled documents and testimony that, according to the journalist, show the allegations were fabricated and detached from the facts.
Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, focal person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, publicly thanked Hassan Ayub for bringing clarity to the case and highlighted Dr Taqeer Shah’s role in securing a prompt resolution. Naqvi described the smear campaign as unjust and called for those responsible to apologise to affected families and the wider community.
The report recalls the difficult situation that followed Justice Babar Sattar’s decision, which placed thousands of families at risk of losing legitimate claims. According to the coverage, the only viable remedy was a presidential ordinance, and Dr Taqeer Shah led sustained efforts, personally engaging with the Prime Minister and the President to ensure the ordinance’s immediate issuance.
That ordinance has now been tabled in Parliament and is expected to be formalised into law, guaranteeing permanent protection for the affected residents. The measure aims to secure the rights of families across Islamabad sectors including C-13, D-13, F-13, H-16, C-16 and E-13, among others.
Dr Taqeer Shah’s supporters point to a long public service record as context for his intervention. The report notes his tenure as principal secretary during periods of provincial and federal responsibility, diplomatic assignments representing Pakistan at the WTO, and a post-retirement role as an executive director at the World Bank. Naqvi and others credited Dr Taqeer Shah with helping to obtain a significant development package for the country and with sustained oversight of matters from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Those defending Dr Taqeer Shah emphasised that his reputation for integrity and transparent service is central to why he became the focal figure in resolving the victims’ plight. They say his timely strategy and direct engagement with national leadership averted mass displacement and restored hope to many families.
Zeeshan Naqvi reiterated a commitment to stand with Islamabad’s affected residents until all lawful grievances are addressed, and said the government will press for a major relief announcement from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following consultations on the issue.
The investigative findings and subsequent political action have shifted the narrative around Dr Taqeer Shah, placing the spotlight on legal protection for victims and on accountability for those who promote misinformation.
