Scores of Karachiites stage a sit-in outside the water board headquarters in the backdrop of acute and prolonged water crises in the city that noted a significant spike in the water tanker business that has now become a proper mafia due to support by the influential quarters. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi AmeerMunemZafar was spearheaded the sit-in, whereas a large number of citizens, belonging to all walks of life and representative bodies from the affected areas, besides JI workers participated in the sit-in. The protesters, carried placards and banners chanted slogans against the tanker mafia and their facilitators as well as the government. MunemZafar in his key note address dubbed the city as the economic engine of the country and lambasted the federal and provincial governments for neglecting Karachi and Karachiites, despite the fact that it generates the significant chunk of revenue for both of them.
The prolonged acute water crises in the city is on top of the list for Karachiites, he said and shed light on the crises in detail. He recalled that the JI’s Abdul Sattar Afghani had completed the K1 and K2 water supply projects, whereas the JI’s Nematuallah Khan had completed the K3 project and initiated the K4 project that was supposed to also cater the future needs of the city. He maintained that the K4 project was supposed to be completed in 2019 but still it was in limbo, whereas the tanker mafia with the support of the authorities robbing karachiites of billions and billions of rupees.
The govt as it has been disclosed earned Rs1.86 billion out of the tanker project in just one year, he said, adding that the government has been sheltering the mafia. Speaking on the occasion, he warned the government against switching to revenge mode and said that the JI has launched the resistance movement against the oppressors. He demanded of the government to ensure just and equal supply of water across Karachi. He also demanded of the government to supply Karachi its due share of water through pipelines and bring the tanker mafia to an end. JI leader also demanded of the government to complete the much needed K-4 water supply project on war footing basis. He further said the PPP government in Sindh has not increase even a drop of water in the quota for Karachi for the past 16 years and there is no justification for this act of enmity against Karachi. Talking about hundreds of deaths in Karachi during the past few days, he held the ruling parties and the K-Electric responsible for it. He also shed light in detail on the privatization of the then KESC and the disastrous outcomes of the act. On the occasion, a large number of affected people from across Karachi shared their ordeal with the media. JI’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the City Council JunaidMukati, Cantonment Councilor Ibnul Hassan Hashmi also addressed the sit-in.
