THE residents of DHA had gathered outside the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) office on Aug 31 to ask why the drains had not been cleaned and inspected ahead of the expected heavy rains. In response, the CBC authorities had lodged an FIR against 22 people who had participated in the protest.

The charges lodged against the protesters included terrorism, entering a government building with weapons and so on. This was done to stop the residents from insisting on getting their rights.

The residents of CBC and DHA are asking for five basic things. They are: water in the pipelines, better roads and infrastructure, an efficient drainage system, adjustment of losses incurred by residents due to CBC’s negligence against tax payment, and, lastly, that the residents be allowed access to the audit report of CBC and DHA.

The FIR was suspended by the court until the next hearing. The investigation officer was asked to produce a report and submit it to the high court. The investigation officer did not appear in the court and was issued a show-cause notice by the court.

It seems the authorities concerned have resorted to delaying tactics and have registered a case in the lower court as well where a hearing has started.

How can a cantonment board do this and is it not unlawful for it to pay the lawyers it has engaged from the tax money collected from the residents? As residents of DHA, we demand justice and want to know where our tax money is being spent.

Ahmed Owais
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2021