Karachi protesters demand CBC CEO's resignation
Residents of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) gather outside the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) office to protest against the failure to fix drainage problems following heavy monsoon rains in Karachi on August 31. PHOTO: AFP
Residents of Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and Clifton surrounded the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) office at Khayaban-e-Rahat for hours on Monday, protesting the management's lack of action in the face of flooding and the unavailability of clean water, electricity and gas in the upmarket area.
Presenting a seven-point agenda, the protesters demanded the resignation of the CBC CEO and the DHA administrator, the clearance of rainwater from the entire locality within three days, the provision of clean water and restoration of the electricity and gas supply within 24 hours, the reconstruction of infrastructure and water drainage system within 30 days, a forensic audit of CBC and DHA accounts, and an anti-bacterial spray drive in the area.
Demanding accountability, several protesters stated they were paying hundreds of thousands of rupees in taxes, but did not receive the necessary services.
While the protest was initially peaceful, former Citizens Police Liaison Committee chief Ahmed Chinoy sparked anger by trying to convince the protesters to agree with the CBC's stance and understand the technical issues it was facing.
Arguing with Chinoy, the angry residents pushed away the security guards deputed at the office gates and entered the premises. Though they tried to enter the building, they were charged by the police.
Though the CBC CEO came out briefly to talk to the gathered residents, he quickly went back inside without completing his address when faced with booing from them.
Later, an eight-member delegation of the protesters met the CBC CEO, vice chairperson, South DIG and others, though the negotiations appeared to be unsuccessful.
Those present at the meeting claimed the administration refused to sign the meeting's minutes, adding that this showed its non-seriousness about resolving the residents' concerns. "The CBC and DHA administration are only providing verbal surety for resolving the issues instead of making an agreement in black and white," stated one of them.
Announcing another protest on Thursday at noon, they demanded that their taxes should be waived for the next five years, in compensation for the losses faced by residents and traders in the area.