Strongly criticises PPP govt on killing of people by heavy traffic, street criminals, and people falling in manholes
JI stages sit-in at 13 different places in Karachi against growing lawlessness. Photo: PPI
KARACHI:
Jamaat-e-Islami local chapter held sit-ins at 13 major points in Karachi against killings of citizens on almost daily basis in accidents, street crimes, and manholes turned deathtraps.
The protesters, carrying placards and banners, chanted slogans against the lawlessness further aggravated by corruption and mismanagement on part of the PPP government in Sindh.
Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar Khan held a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, the JI Karachi headquarters, to press the issues and later addressed the participants of a sit-in.
He mentioned that 254 people were killed and 12,000 others injured this year by the heavy traffic.
He added that similarly, 25 citizens were shot dead by robbers, and 24 citizens – including children – lost their lives after falling into manholes and open drains.
“Despite all this, the Sindh government’s sole focus appears to be on issuing e-challans,” he remarked.
He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party’s mindset is feudal and landlord-driven, and its 17-year rule represents the worst combination of incompetence, corruption and poor governance. He highlighted that the PPP-led Sindh government destroyed every institution in Karachi and seized control of its resources, leaving the city hostage to a corrupt system.
“Our demands are clear,” he said, adding, “protect citizens from heavy traffic and armed criminals, free business community from extortion, restore Karachi’s infrastructure, and regulate heavy traffic.”
“After suffering billions of rupees in losses during the rains, traders are now being openly asked for extortion—demands of up to Rs50 million,” he alleged.
He also accused land grabbers of occupying plots, having fake allotments, in areas including Baldia Town, Surjani Town, Punjab Colony, Delhi Colony, Hawkesbay, Taiser Town and Scheme 33, claiming such activities could not continue without the patronage of the Sindh government.
Questioning the use of surveillance technology, he said drones and cameras are not spotting street criminals, but issuing e-challans and delivering them to citizens’ homes. He noted that Karachi, the country’s largest city, requires 15,000 buses, yet only 400 have been provided by the Sindh government over the past 17 years.
He also criticised delays in projects such as the Red Line BRT and the Karimabad underpass, saying no completion dates are being announced.
Protest sit-ins were held at Kala Board National Highway, Tibet Centre (MA Jinnah Road), Dawood Chowrangi, Korangi Crossing, Power House Chowrangi (North Karachi), University Road (Met office), Dolmen Mall Hyderi (Sher Shah Suri Road), Liaquatabad No. 10, Orangi No. 5, Garden Office (Hub River Road), Pracha Chowk (Sher Shah), and Sohrab Goth Super Highway.
