KARACHI: The Jamaat-i-Islami staged demonstrations at over a dozen spots across Karachi in protest against “killings of Karachiites by heavy vehicles”.

Carrying placards and banners and chanting slogans against the Pakistan Peoples Party government, a large number of people participated in the protest demonstrations in response to a call given by the JI.

The Karachi chief of the party, Monem Zafar, addressed one of the demonstrations in Liaquatabad.

Addressing the protesters, he said that Karachiites were being killed by heavy vehicles on almost daily basis whereas the ruling party seemed to be not interested in the issue.

“The PPP government should to change its mentality towards Karachiites.”

He said that instead of taking drastic steps to ensure safety of people, the PPP high-ups were busy in issuing statements or holding “useless meetings” over the issue.

He said that last year a total of 775 Karachiites were killed in road accidents whereas 8,000 others received serious injuries.

So far this year 115 people fell prey to traffic incidents whereas over 1,500 Karachiites were reportedly injured during the first 50 days of the year, he added.

“But unfortunately, the chief minister, instead of realising the gravity of the most serious issue, dubbed it as a mere administrative issue. It’s not just an administrative issue, it also involves human lives. The people have been killed by heavy vehicles due to corruption and criminal negligence of the authorities concerned,” the JI leader claimed.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2025