RAWALPINDI, Aug 31: The activists of People’s Rights Movement (PRM) on Sunday held a rally in which they demanded ownership rights for kutchi abadi dwellers, landless tenants and compensation for the affected persons of mega-water projects.

A large number of participants representing a number of PRM’s constituents movements including the All Pakistan Alliance for Kutchi Abadis, Anjuman Mazarain-i-Punjab, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum and Deharidar Mazdoor Union, besides student and trade unions, participated in the rally.

They demanded an end to the interference of international financial institutions (IFIs) in economic decision-making affairs of the country and redressal of their respective problems.

The participants carried red flags, banners and placards. The rally started at 5pm from Liaquat Bagh and ended within an hour at Committee Chowk, where a common declaration was read out by PRM’s convener, Asim Sajjad. A large number of policemen were also present on the occasion.

Besides, the above mentioned demands, the declaration also asked the government to allow freedom of association, expression and organization and to repeal ‘anti-labour’ Industrial Relations Ordinance, 2002. It asked the working class to unite against the military dictatorship.

It condemned the severe poverty-enhancing effects of IFIs- dictated adjustment policies and Pakistan’s unconditional obedience to US dictations.

It said it was a shame for policy-makers that most of the people were living without any educational, health and employment facilities in the country, while inflation and rates of utility bills were increasing with each passing day.

The declaration said political crisis in the country had worsened, and it feared mass civil disobedience.