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KARACHI, March 16: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) on Wednesday warned government against creating hurdles in the holding of the ?million march? scheduled for March 20 in Karachi, and vowed to go ahead with the planned march.A senior MMA leader and Naib Amir of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Senator Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, told a news conference here: ?The march will be held on the same date and at any cost.Other MMA leaders Allama Hasan Turabi and Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui also spoke at the press conference where office-bearers of JI Karachi Birjees Ahmed and Aslam Mujahid were also present.
Criticizing the government?s reluctance in issuing a permission for the march, the MMA leaders argued that it was political and democratic right of people and political parties to hold a rally.
?The rulers claim that the country is witnessing ?real democracy?, but political parties are being prevented from holding political rallies and protests,? Prof Ghafoor said while rejecting the government?s arguments with regard to the march as ?baseless?.
Claiming that police were being used for removing MMA flags and banners from roundabouts in the city, he said it was a shameful and illegal act to mobilize law-enforcement agencies to sabotage political activities.
He also announced that similar events would be held in other cities of the country.
Refuting the government?s claims about an improvement in the country?s economic situation, he said that contrary to this, people?s purchasing power had declined by more than 10 per cent and prices had increased manifold. ?The ratio of suicide has touched its peak,? he observed.
Denouncing the repeated increase in the prices of petroleum products, he termed the decisions in this regard ?unjust? and ?cruel?, saying that people were being compelled to take to the street while government appeared bent upon denying people of their democratic right to raise their voice.
He deplored that the government was not instigating transporters to increase fares. This proves that the government is indulged in deliberate moves aimed at adding to people?s miseries, he said, and remarked that the government was afraid of public protest.
The MMA leaders flayed use of force and arrests at a demonstration held at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday against poverty and price-hike.
Allama Turabi said that the MMA would continue to raise its voice for the rights of people despite all efforts by the government to put hurdles and exert pressure.?PPI
Criticizing the government?s reluctance in issuing a permission for the march, the MMA leaders argued that it was political and democratic right of people and political parties to hold a rally.
?The rulers claim that the country is witnessing ?real democracy?, but political parties are being prevented from holding political rallies and protests,? Prof Ghafoor said while rejecting the government?s arguments with regard to the march as ?baseless?.
Claiming that police were being used for removing MMA flags and banners from roundabouts in the city, he said it was a shameful and illegal act to mobilize law-enforcement agencies to sabotage political activities.
He also announced that similar events would be held in other cities of the country.
Refuting the government?s claims about an improvement in the country?s economic situation, he said that contrary to this, people?s purchasing power had declined by more than 10 per cent and prices had increased manifold. ?The ratio of suicide has touched its peak,? he observed.
Denouncing the repeated increase in the prices of petroleum products, he termed the decisions in this regard ?unjust? and ?cruel?, saying that people were being compelled to take to the street while government appeared bent upon denying people of their democratic right to raise their voice.
He deplored that the government was not instigating transporters to increase fares. This proves that the government is indulged in deliberate moves aimed at adding to people?s miseries, he said, and remarked that the government was afraid of public protest.
The MMA leaders flayed use of force and arrests at a demonstration held at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday against poverty and price-hike.
Allama Turabi said that the MMA would continue to raise its voice for the rights of people despite all efforts by the government to put hurdles and exert pressure.?PPI
