KARACHI: The organisers and allies of the People’s Climate March to be held on Sunday said on Wednesday that the purpose of their event was to organise a people-led response to the environmental crisis with victims of climate injustice at the forefront.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, they cited the affectees of demolitions along Gujjar and Orangi Nullah, Malir Expressway and Karachi Circular Railway and those who have been forcibly displaced by the violent practices of Bahria Town, Defence Housing Authority and other developers among the victims of climate injustice in Karachi.

It was explained during the press conference that there is currently a collective urgency in the world as it is suffering from a catastrophic environmental crisis caused by the profit motivated, extractive practices of a few.

The futility of COP26 has also made it evident that under the current capitalist system, the common people will not be able to save the environment. So in light of the repeated failure of world governments and international regulatory bodies to alleviate this crisis, it is obvious that there is a need for people-centred response in the form of a grassroots struggle, they added.

On the occasion, the organisers and allies of the march also shared a set of demands such as an end to the demolition of working-class homes and villages and the right to shelter of the displaced.

Another demand was for a bill to be passed in reference to the affectees of the Gujjar and Orangi Nullahs, the KCR and Haji Lemo Goth with the same urgency as displayed to protect ‘buildings’. It was also demanded that the affectees be given alternative housing of 120 square yards in their districts.

They also demanded a transparent compensation process, and resolution of issues of identity cards along with the constitution of a rehabilitation committee.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...