Protests over fake domiciles build up across Sindh

Participants demand stringent probe, strict punishment for involved officials

HYDERABAD: With the preliminary investigation into fake domiciles underway, protests are building up across Sindh, demanding a more stringent probe into the matter and for those culpable to be brought to the book.

Over the weekend, people took to the streets in several districts of the province to vent their anger against the officials involved in the scam.

The Qaumi Awami Tehreek, headed by Ayaz Latif Palijo, demanded that the Sindh government reject all previously issued fake domiciles and permanent residence certificates (PRCs), while being doubtful about the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government's announced intention of taking decisive action against those who had benefited from false documentation.

"The officials issuing fake domiciles are worse than dacoits," contended Muhammad Bux Mahar, PPP's MNA from Ghotki district. "These officials are robbing Sindh's youth of their rights and depriving them of employment in their own province."

Sindh Shagird Tehreek president Pardeep Gulab, meanwhile, stated, "The injustice of denying admissions and government jobs to Sindh's young men and women because of bogus domiciles should end now." He demanded the legislation of a law laying down strict punishment for officials issuing such CNICs, domiciles and PRCs.

In Badin, the Youth Alliance staged a demonstration protesting the issue. "For decades, officials have connived to facilitate people from other provinces in stealing the rights of Sindh's youth," deplored Abdul Majeed Mallah, a local activist who spoke at the protest. "Badin's young men suffer like their counterparts in Sindh's other districts when it comes to obtaining admission in higher education institutions or jobs."

Primary Teachers Association's Badin president Muhammad Bux Laghari said Sindh's youth would have to fight for their rights and for punishment for those involved in the scam punished.

Several groups also held demonstrations in Dadu district, holding aloft placards which demanded justice for the province's young men and women. "Sindh's bureaucrats sell their conscience for money while issuing domiciles to the residents of Punjab and other provinces," alleged Sarang Jathial, who was leading a students' protest. "On one hand, the influx of people from other provinces is reducing the majority of the natives and on the other hand, the local people are also being denied their due share in education and jobs."

Imtiaz Kolachi, speaking at a protest in Larkana district, lamented that young men were committing suicide in Sindh because their share of employment was going to outsiders.

The protesters appealed to the province's lawmakers to take the issue seriously and protect the future of Sindh's youth.

Demonstrations were also organized in Matiari, Nawabshah, Jacobabad, Sukkur and other districts.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2020.