19 November 2004	Friday	06 Shawwal 1425

KARACHI, Nov 18: Members of the families dislodged from their houses in Shah Rasool Colony by the KBCA on the eve of Eid staged a protest demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club on Thursday.

The protesters raised slogans against the KBCA and Sindh government and demanded action against the demolition squad that razed their houses and the responsible officials.

Activists of the PPP, Karachi division, also participated in the rally to express solidarity with the poor families which were rendered homeless on the night before Eid.

Addressing the rally, PPP city chief Rashid Rabbani said that the action against the poor citizen was not acceptable to his party. He pledge full support and cooperation to the victims.

Mr Najmi Aalam, Nazim of the concerned union council, has meanwhile described the KBCA action as 'politically motivated' and pointed out that the demolition was carried out on the eve of Eid despite the fact that the city government had fixed December 31 for the regularization of ground plus one structures. He said that the dislodged families had been residing in this locality for more than 35 years.

The nazim maintained that the KBCA was not authorized to take such actions. Instead, he added, the powers rested with the city government's land department.-PPI

Our reporter adds: The issue of demolition of houses in Shah Rasool Colony was taken up with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad by chairperson of the PPP-SB Ms Ghinva Bhutto on Thursday. She was invited to the Governor House on Wednesday when she participated in a protest march by the affected families.

According to a PPP-SB release, Ms Bhutto appealed to the governor that the dislodged families which had since been rendered homeless should suitably be compensated and an alternative residence for each of them be arranged. She maintained that the KBCA action was illegal and devoid of human consideration. She also demanded a halt to the KBCA demolition drive altogether.

Apprising the governor of the plight of the affected men, women and children, she stressed that the KBCA should also pay attention to the living conditions in the localities dominated by the poor, according to the release.

The PPP-SB said that the governor expressed concern over the situation and maintained that he did not knew that the KBCA had planned the action on the eve of Eid. He assured Ms Bhutto that he would personally see to it that the problems of the affected people were resolved.

Meanwhile, the Edhi Foundation provided food to the 250 affected residents of the colony on Thursday.