KARACHI, June 25: The Pakhtoon Action Committee, calling itself ‘Loya Jirga’, has deferred its June 30 strike. At a meeting held at the Bacha Khan Centre here on Sunday, it was decided give the government a few more weeks to sort out and resolve the issues concerning the Pakhtoon people living in Karachi.

The strike call was given last week against demolition of Pakhtoons’ houses and slums and the restrictions relating to public transport which, it believed, mainly affected Pakhtoon people.

Announcing the decision, Chairman of the committee, Shahi Syed, stated that Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad had invited the PAC leaders to talks on June 15 and a 10-member delegation was formed to hold negotiations. However, he said, the governor had to go abroad.

On June 18, the PAC gave a call for a strike and in the meantime the governor returned home and invited the PAC to talks again.

“On June 22, the delegation met the governor and discussed its 13-point agenda. The talks were held in cordial atmosphere and the governor assured the delegation of that the issues raised in the agenda would be considered seriously to sort them out,” Shahi Syed said.

“Postponing the strike should not be taken as our weakness. The decision has been taken to ensure peace in Karachi,” he said, adding that the PAC expected practical steps towards maintaining peace and harmony.—PPI