The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Sunday observed a nationwide day of protest against police violence, baton charge, shelling and arrest of dozens of workers during its peaceful protest on Saturday outside the Sindh Assembly.
In Karachi, the JI held 10 protest sit-ins on major arteries, in which its leaders and activists condemned what they termed the worst fascism of the Pakistan People Party (PPP)-led provincial government, misuse of state power, anti-Karachi policies and anti-democratic behaviour.
They demanded that Karachi be granted its due rights and an empowered city government, immediate release of arrested workers and withdrawal of terrorism charges filed against them.
Addressing protesters at Lasbela Chowk, Karachi JI Emir Monem Zafar said the PPP was an anti-Karachi party and had become the establishment’s ‘A-plus team’.
He said the PPP had usurped the rights of Karachi’s citizens and taken control of the city’s institutions and resources.
He criticised the Sindh government for patronising riverine bandits while registering terrorism cases against those protesting for Karachi’s rights.
He said the JI had called for giving Karachi its rights and allowing citizens to live peacefully, but peaceful workers were subjected to brutal violence on the directives of the provincial government, including baton charges and shelling.
He added that the PPP’s 18-year rule had deprived Karachi’s residents even of the right to live, and asserted that public resistance would ultimately force the government to concede.
Zafar remarked that whether it was the PPP, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), all feared granting powers to elected representatives. He alleged that the MQM-P and PPP acted as friendly opposition.
He added that the rulers were unwilling to provide Karachi electricity, water, roads and transport, noting that the K-IV water project remained incomplete even after 21 years and that 50 per cent of Karachi lacked water supply. He said Karachi collected Rs3,256 billion in taxes last year, yet its citizens were deprived of basic facilities.
The JI staged sit-ins at Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Super Highway, National Highway, Shahrah-e-Orangi, Shahrah-e-Korangi Crossing, Hub River Road in Sher Shah, Dawood Chowrangi, Lea Market, Sher Shah Suri Road, and Johar Mor.
