KARACHI: Protest of citizens of Karachi, especially motorcyclists, continued in Karachi on Sunday noon, while several areas of the city witnesses sever traffic jams due to sit-ins of protestors.
Police took into custody protestors including ex-MPA of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Muhammad Yunus Barai. Law enforcement agencies including police and rangers resorted to baton charge, aerial firing and teargas shelling in various parts of the city to disperse angry people, protesting against the shutdown of petrol pumps in metropolitan on Monday.
Minor clashes between law enforcers and citizens were witnessed in Rashid Minhas Road, Gulistan-e- Johar, Nazimabad and other areas. Tension gripped then city when citizens on Monday morning found petrol pumps closed. Many people failed to reach their offices and work places. A lot of students could also not reach their colleges, schools and universities. Hundreds of commuters turned violent and tried to ransack petrol pumps, but police and rangers foiled their attempts. The worst affected areas were Shahra-e-Faisal, Aysha Manzil, Gulistan-e-Jauher and Rashid Minhas Road.
It is pertinent to mention that petrol pumps in Karachi were shutdown, on the call of Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association to press for hike in commission. Meanwhile, chairman Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association Abdul Sami Khan said it is the first phase of their protest in which petrol pumps have been closed in Karachi, but if their demands were not met strike of petrol pumps would also be observed in other parts of the country.
He said that rising expenses and sell of smuggled petroleum have affected businesses for dealers, who are demanding fifty paisa per liter hike in their commission and ban on selling of smuggled petroleum products.
UPROAR IN SINDH ASSEMBLY ON PETROL PUMP STRIKE ISSUE
The issue of closing of petrol pumps in Karachi by the Petroleum Dealers Association was raised in the Sindh Assembly on Monday. Muttahida Qaumi Movement tabled a resolution in favor of the Petroleum Dealers Association while some MPs of the Pakistan People's Party opposed it.
After hot debate, the mover Abdul Moeed Siddiqui of MQM brought some amendments in the resolution withthe advice of Syed Sardar Ahmed, and then it was passed by the House, unanimously.
The amended resolution says the assembly expresses displeasure over the closure of petrol pumps in Karachi by the dealers and resolves that in view of strike of petrol pumps, great inconvenience is being experienced by the public and there is fear of law and order.
The provincial government should approach the federal government and immediately initiate dialogue with petroleum dealers association so as to bring their strike to end.
The session started at 10:12am with Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza in the chair.
Minister for Katchi Abadies Rafique Engineer said they believe in dialogue but if prices in international market increase the prices would also rise in local market.
He opposed the resolution and said that first petrol pumps dealers should open their pumps then we will start dialogue with them, adding we will not initiate dialogue with any blackmailer.
On this, mover Siddiqui said that they are protesting for increase in their commission and not for increase of oil prices.
Rafiq Banbhan of PML-F also opposed resolution and said that motorists are facing shortage of fuel due to closing of petrol pumps not only in Karachi but in some other districts of the province. He also termed it blackmailing of petrol pump owners and dealers.
Minister for Electrical Power Shazia Marri opposed the resolution and said that government should intervene into the issue, as it had done in KESC's issue of sacking of employees, adding however, we will not negotiate with them because closing of petrol pumps has created law and order situation.
Minister for Rehabilitation Haji Muzafar Ali Shujra said he himself was a petrol pump owner, but he could say greed of petrol pump owners is behind the issue.
He said that when they see that prices will increase they close their pumps and get big financial benefits at the cost of masses.
Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism Mohammad Ayaz Soomro has said that petrol pumps closing and other crisis are rising due to not giving magistrate powers to officers.
MQM's parliamentary leader Syed Sardar Ahmed suggested amendment in resolution and said that petrol pump dealers are protesting for their commission raise because their investments are high but the commission very low.
Then, the mover Abdul Moeed Siddiqui amended the resolution and again tabled it in the house, which was passed unanimously.
Earlier, Deputy Speaker announced the assent of Governor Sindh Dr Ishrtaul Ibad to the Sindh
Regulation and Control of Disposable Syringe Bill, 2010 and The Sindh Public Property (Removal of Encroachment) (Amendment) Bill, 2011.
Later, the session was adjourned till 10:00 am of 1st March (Today).
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