KARACHI, June 9: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Karachi, on Friday criticised the government for failing to deliver and adding to the miseries of people by pursuing cruel policies which, it claimed, were increasing unemployment, poverty, prices of essential items and street crimes.

Asking the government to step down to pave the way for a truly representative government through a free and fair election under an independent election commission, it called upon the oppressed people to unite under the banner of MMA for launching a decisive struggle against the oppressors.

The MMA staged a number of rallies outside various mosques in the city after Juma prayers. Participants of the rallies were addressed by Qazi Ahmad Noorani, Abdul Sattar Afghani, Mohammad Hussain Mehanti, Laeeq Khan, Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui, Nasrullah Shaji , Younus Barai and other leaders.

They said that loadshedding and power breakdowns in this hot and sultry weather had made people’s life miserable. The students taking their examinations appeared to be the worst-hit as they were unable to prepare for their papers properly due to the interrupted power supply.

They condemned the Sindh governor’s decision of the early closure of business, saying that he had taken the decision without taking the stakeholders into confidence. On the one hand, this would turn the city of light into a city of darkness and, on the other, encourage street crime and render more people jobless, they added.

The MMA leaders pointed out that the new federal budget included measures to bring down prices of cereals, cement and sugar, but not of the POL products prices although the skyrocketing prices had been caused by the costly petroleum products.

They also expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, particular Karachi, and pointed out that despite the passage of two months, the government had failed to find a clue to the culprits of the April 11 bombing at Nishtar Park.

Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui said that the rulers had no regard for the sentiments of masses, arguing that those who did not know what people wanted could not resolve the problems they were faced with.

He said that through the new budget, only privileged class was provided full protection and benefits. No concrete steps had been taken to reduce the prices of essential commodities while much more money had been apportioned to ensure the luxurious living of the president, prime minister, ministers, military generals and feudal lords, he deplored.