KARACHI, March 24: A large number of activists of opposition political, religious and nationalist parties on Friday held a protest demonstration at the Karachi Press Club against the demolition of ancient villages and katcha abadies in the city by the city government.

The joint protest demonstration was attended by workers and activists of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamaat-i-Islami, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Awami National Party, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party and many others.

Protestors chanted slogans against the City Nazim, Mustafa Kamal, Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and accused them of depriving people their right of existence.

Speaking to protestors, leader of the Opposition in Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro said the conspiracy to demolish ancient villages and katcha abadies was hatched by the present government’s self-exiled leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain and was being implemented through the city government and town nazims.

He said the PPP and other opposition political parties would continue raising their voice for the rights of the oppressed people of Sindh.

He demanded the city and Sindh governments to apologize for their acts and provide alternate residences to those dislocated due to the demolition of villages and colonies.

The MMA Sindh President, Maulana Asadullah Bhutto, alleged that the city government was carrying out demolition activities in connivance with the builders’ mafia.

He warned that if any other village or katcha abadi was demolished by the city government in future, the affected people and MMA workers would surround the Governor’s House.

The JI Karachi Amir, Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui, said the provincial government was claiming that land mafia was active in Karachi but the fact was that the MQM was itself one of the biggest land mafias in the country, which was depriving the people of Karachi of their lives, properties and now roofs.

He said those that demolished mosques and desecrated the Holy Quran should keep in their minds that the people will not pardon them, and will get the city and province rid of them very soon.

Other leaders including MMA MPA Maulana Umer Sadiq, nationalist leader Rasool Bux Palejo, ARD Sindh President Zain Ansari, PTI Sindh President Zubair Khan, MMA MPA Nasrullah Shajji, Amin Khattak of the ANP and many others also spoke.—PPI