KARACHI, April 15: Protest demonstrations were held by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal outside several mosques in Karachi after Friday prayers against poverty, price-hike, obscenity and vulgarity, military rule, arrests, and raids on the residences of its workers. The protest demonstrations were held outside mosques in Mahmoodabad, Gizri, Bahar Colony, Moosa Lane, Burns Road, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Malir, Lasbella, North Karachi, New Karachi, Federal B Area, Landhi and other areas.

Protestors were carrying placards and banners inscribed with demands on several issues. They chanted slogans against the government’s economic, foreign and domestic policies. They also demanded the release of detained workers and end to the series of raids on the residences of the MMA workers.

Speaking to demonstrators, the MMA leaders termed government policies anti-people. They said the religious parties’ alliance would continue their struggle for restoration of true democracy and rights of people in accordance with Islamic teachings and principles.

They refuted government claims of economic progress in the country and alleged that people were committing suicides due to poverty and unemployment.

“Military rulers, instead of resolving the problems of the masses have increased them. They are now trying to divert the attention of the masses in the garb of enlightened moderation, obscenity and vulgarity,” they further charged, adding that no one would be allowed to alter the Islamic identity of Pakistan.

The MMA leaders demanded that all workers and leaders of the MMA, arrested from different cities of the country including MNA Maulana Hameedullah and his son, be released. Besides, he said that an end be ensured to the raids being conducted on the residences of the MMA workers in Karachi.—PPI