KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi held protest sit-ins at 13 major points across the megacity on Friday, demanding an end to fatalities caused by heavy vehicles, street criminals, and open manholes.
JI Karachi Chief Monem Zafar Khan, addressing a press conference and later the sit-ins, highlighted alarming statistics: 254 people killed and 12,000 injured by traffic this year, 25 shot dead by robbers, and 24 including children dead due to falling into manholes and gutters. He criticized the Sindh government’s focus on issuing e-challans instead of addressing these issues.
Zafar accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in Sindh of feudal, landlord-driven governance, claiming its 17-year rule has bred incompetence, corruption, and mismanagement, leaving Karachi’s infrastructure in shambles. He condemned organised extortion targeting traders, builders, and developers, warning that decisive action is needed or protests will continue. He demanded protection for citizens against unruly traffic and crime, relief for the business community from extortion, and restoration of the megacity’s infrastructure. He also criticized the lack of mass transit, delayed projects like the Red Line BRT and Karimabad underpass, and ineffective use of surveillance technology.
Protests were held at major city locations, including Kala Board National Highway, MA Jinnah Road (Tibet Centre), Korangi Crossing, Power House Chowrangi, University Road, Dolmen Mall Hyderi, Liaquatabad No. 10, Shahrah-e-Orangi No. 5, Hub River Road, Pracha Chowk, and Sohrab Goth Super Highway. Despite a police attempt to disrupt the sit-in in North Karachi, protesters successfully exercised their democratic right.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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