KARACHI, July 8: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Friday observed protest day against increase in petroleum and diesel prices and soaring prices of other essential items. It held rallies outside mosques at various places in the city. Speaking at the main rally, held outside Masjid Baitul Mukarrum, in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, the MMA leaders pointed out that instead of providing any relief to oppressed people, the prices were being increased to meet the expenditures of the luxuries of rulers.

Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui said contrary to the government’s pledge not to introduce any mini-budget, the prices of petroleum products were increased within 15 days of the very pledge. This was followed by an upward revision of the CNG rates while talks were now under way to increase power rates, he added.

In Sindh, he said that Rs1 billion were allocated for an aircraft for the use of the governor and chief minister, and in a similar move, Rs7.5 billion were allotted for importing bullet proof cars for federal ministers.

While contrary to these steps, the government in the NWFP had provided relief to people of its province instead of increasing the salaries and allowances of its ministers and advisers.

Referring to the law and order situation, he said ulema and leaders of religious parties like Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai, Mufti Atiq-ur-rehman, Jamal Tahir, Muhammad Aslam Mujahid, Farhan Asif and Tajammul Hussain were killed in broad daylight but their killers were yet to be arrested.

Hafiz Taqi said people could get rid of their miseries only with the enforcement of a just system of Shariat and Nizam-i-Mustafa (SAW) in the country.

Mr Nasrullah Shajji said that neither poverty nor unemployment could be finished from the country in the presence of the present government.

Also, referring to the wish of MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar to visit Idara Noor-i-Haq, a spokesman of the MMA said that for improvement in the situation, it was essential that killers of MMA leaders should be arrested, FIRs be registered against those nominated by their heirs, no-go areas be eliminated, police, Rangers and other state institutions be allowed to work independently, and victimization of political opponents be stopped.

Meanwhile, the JI Karachi’s women wing in its meeting on Friday at the Idara Noor-i-Haq reiterated the party’s stand that with the present set up in Sindh, impartial and transparent elections were impossible.

In a resolution, adopted at its meeting the federal government was asked to take notice of target killing and plundering.