KARACHI, Dec 14: The Pakhtoon Action Committee (Loya Jirga) on Thursday announced a strike would be observed on December 15 to protest against what they said were injustices being perpetrated against the Pakhtoons in Karachi.

At a news conference held here on Thursday, Chairman of the committee, Shahi Syed, said the strike would be peaceful and hailed the decision of the Ulema of Majlis Tahaffuz-i-Hudood Allah for supporting the strike and withdrawing their own protest call given for the same day.

The PAC spokesman said that the strike was not being observed on any political issue as it was only related to the problems and rights of the Pakhtoon community.

He said despite the fact that Pakhtoons had played a significant role in the uplift of Karachi, it was being ignored in matters of civic services and were being forced to give up their houses to the land mafia. He also pointed out that Pakhtoon transporters had not been paid compensation for their vehicles, burnt in 1995.

Mr Syed said that we had never pursued a hard line and had always adopted the path of negotiations.

The PAC leader said they were struggling for the rights of Pakhtoons under the banner of the Loya Jirga and warned against attempts to sabotage Pakhtoon unity.