KARACHI: A large crowd comprising residents of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and Clifton staged a sit-in protest outside the Clifton Cantonment Board (CBC) office on Monday, calling on the board to provide them an audit report of their performance and hold those responsible for not providing them basic amenities.
The CBC had sealed the gates of its office ahead of the protest scheduled by residents of the area. However, demonstrators breached the premises and tried to enter the office but were stopped by police.
The protesters demanded the chief executive officer of the CBC to address them and listen to their grievances.
Calling for an improvement in the sewerage system, the protestors are also demanding that an audit of the flood relief tax collected by the CBC be shared with them and called on the board's members to be held accountable for the lack of amenities provided to them over the years. They have also asked the CBC to improve garbage collection in the area.
Last night, a group formed on Facebook under the name of "Petition against DHA & CBC" had announced they would protest against the authorities of DHA and Clifton outside the CBC office for the "incompetence of DHA & CBC in providing basic living conditions".
The organisers had requested everyone to "remain peaceful at all times, not harm or hurt anyone, not damage any property and do not harm any plants or animals".
The group admins had clarified that neither do they "promote, recommend, encourage or incite any sort of violence, nor shall they be held accountable or responsible for any person's personal choices or acts in the Peaceful Protest".
The organisers had also clarified that the group was not affiliated with any political party.
A list of 22 demands was put forward by DHA residents, which includes the return of tax money taken from them under the "Development Charges" head.
The residents said they also wanted contractors and decision-makers held accountable for constructing "useless storm water drains" from their funds.
As the sixth spell of monsoon rain lashed Karachi on Thursday, several areas of the city, notably DHA, were flooded. Video clips on social media showed how several houses were flooded with rainwater as the area's storm water drains failed to ensure water did not accumulate on the roads.
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