KARACHI, Sept 18: Residents of Lyari on Wednesday staged a demonstration on Tannery Road against water shortage in the locality. The demonstrators blocked the road, which resulted in the suspension of traffic on the road for some time.

The residents accused the KWSB officials of creating “an artificial water crisis for ulterior motives,” saying that there was no justification for stopping the regular supply of water to the locality.

PPP leader and provincial assembly candidate, Advocate Rafiq Engineer said that attempts were being made to create law and order problems in the locality by elements who were perturbed because of the “popularity of the party.”

Talking to Dawn, he said the PPP wanted that elections to be held in a peaceful manner, and all parties must abide by the law.

He said his party had never interfered in the election related activities of other parties, despite repeated provocation from the other side.

He maintained that the water shortage was a political problem and was being created to tarnish the image of the PPP. According to him, forces opposed to the PPP were working on a two-pronged strategy to create a law and problem in the locality.

On one hand, he said they were creating “civic problems” by creating an artificial water shortage and sewerage problem by holding the party responsible, and at the same time were trying to create a violent situation by their provocative acts, as they were sure that they would not win the elections.

He said in some parts of Lyari, a sewerage problem was being created by choking the gutter lines. However, he made it clear that the PPP would not be provoked and would continue its peaceful election activity.