KARACHI, July 7: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Friday observed a protest day against on-going water and power crisis and increase in the charges of gas rates.
In this connection, rallies were held outside major mosques in the city after Juma prayers. The main rally was held outside Masjid Baitul Mukarrum in Gulshane Iqbal which was addressed by MMA leaders.
Addressing the participants of the rally, Dr Mairajul Huda Siddqui said despite tall claims about an end to load-shedding, the city continues to face power and water crisis.
He said the city of lights has been turned into darkness while the Governor’s House was illuminating.
Dr Mairaj said that the curse of loadshedding was strangulating the people of Karachi.
Accusing the government of taking unilateral decision to close markets and shopping centres at 8pm without taking the mercantile community into confidence, he said this decision had rendered thousands of wage earner unemployed.
He said people had rejected this decision and now they have to unite and come out on streets to get their rights restored. August 6 public meeting at Nishtar Park would be a source of resolving the problems of people, he said.
MMA’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader in Sindh Assembly Nasrullah Shaji said rulers had made the life of common man miserable by increasing prices. He asked why MQM did not raise voice against increase in gas rates.
MPA Yunus Barai said the country was being turned into a secular state under a calculated plan but people would not allow them to succeed this conspiracy.Abdul Hakim Ghauri recalled that petroleum prices had increased from Rs 24 to Rs 60 per gallon in last six years and despite announcement in the budget to give subsidy in pulses, its prices have not come down. He pointed out that while people were left to face unprecedented price-hike, the salaries of legislators and ministers were increased by 300 per cent and 400 per cent respectively.
The participants were holding banners and placards during their protest demonstrations.
Meanwhile, deputy chief of Jamaat-i-Islami Prof Ghafoor Ahmad, has condemned the government for dropping bombs on the people of Balochistan and demanded an end to the on-going operation.
He said unwise decisions and measures of the Balochistan government had endangered the solidarity and sovereignty of the country. He said the issue of Balochistan and Waziristan could only be resolved through negotiations.
He regretted the policy of the government of not disclosing the details of deaths in the operation and terming those killed in operation as terrorists.