KARACHI, June 1: The Loya Jirga Action Committee has demanded that all those families affected by the demolition of goths be paid compensation and alternative plots. It also called for action against the officials responsible for razing the settlements.

Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, Chairman Shahi Syed and other members of the committee said that circumstances had forced them to take out a peaceful protest rally on Friday from Lasbela to the KPC.

Shahi Syed asked the government to take all possible measures to protect the participants of the rally as it was its fundamental responsibility.

He criticised the policy of razing old goths and katchi abadis, as well as the action being taken against transporters, pointing out that the registration of old vehicles were being cancelled.

Demanding exemption from toll tax and local taxes, Mr Syed said the government should take representatives of transporters into confidence and formulate a new transport act in the light of their suggestions.