KARACHI: A large number of people, mostly youngsters, from different parts of the metropolis took out a rally from Karimabad to Mazar-i-Quaid to celebrate Mohajir Culture Day on Friday.

Fashionably attired in kurta, pyjama and brightly-coloured waistcoats, most rally participants were riding motorbikes while several were using four-wheelers and other modes of transport to reach their destination.

During their way to Mazar-i-Quaid, the rally participants, including women and children, made several brief stopovers at different points where the organisers addressed the participants and chanted slogans.

Among others, the rally was also attended and addressed by senior politician Dr Farooq Sattar, MPA Muhammad Hussain of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, MNA Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Dr Saleem Haider of the Mohajir Ittehad Tehreek.

Addressing the rally, Dr Sattar said that a unity among Mohajirs was the need of the hour.

“We know our strength. We know our expertise. The people who call us minority are in fact those who are living in s state of denial. But they also admit the talent, merit and honesty of this community. And these are our strength,” he said.

Zohaib Azam, one of the organisers of the event, said that the need of the hour was to disassociate or detach political affiliations from the word Mohajir and celebrate the community’s culture like any other cultural celebration that took place in the country.

Hassan Khan, another organiser, said that the event had been organised by the young ones belonging to the middleclass segment of society and those who belong to working class. “It has nothing to do with any political party, nor does it have any political agenda.”

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2021