Sindh govt left Karachiites at mercy of criminals: JI

Says entire police force on protocol, security of politicians, high-ups

KARACHI:

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief, Engr Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has strongly condemned the Sindh government over rising incidents of street crimes in the city that have claimed eight innocent lives in just four days.

He was speaking at a press conference held at Idara Noor-e-Haq on Monday. JI leaders Usama Razi, Raja Arif Sultan, Saleem Azhar and Zahid Askari were also present at the press meet.

The JI leader said that the rising lawlessness has put serious question marks over the performance of the police, the Rangers and on top of everyone the Sindh government.

He said, it seems that the entire police department has been placed on the protocol and protection of politicians and other high-ups.

He said that JI would assemble masses for protests in front of police stations if the government and the police department failed to put their house in order.

The JI leader also highlighted the issue of fuel adjustment charges and dubbed the recent development too little and too late.

He said that evasion of the charges for just one month and on the bills limited to 300 units are not enough. The government needs to withdraw the fuel adjustment charges once and for all, he said.

The JI leader alleged that the government is giving shelter to K-Electric despite company's involvement in financial crimes. He said that he would present in person the case of Karachiites before a court of law against the fuel adjustment charges and excessive charges and taxation through electricity bills.

He reiterated the JI demand to nationalise the power utility, cancel KE's licence and conduct forensic audit of its account.

About local bodies elections in Karachi, he said that the polls are not about mere politics but indeed a very basic need of Karachiites to resolve their long-standing issues.

He said that the JI has already written a letter to the chief justice of Pakistan to look into the matter and take suo moto notice of the delay in polls on the basis of a proven fake report despite crystal clear court verdict in this regard. He said, unfortunately the Election Commission of Pakistan has also become a front man of the PPP government in Sindh.

The JI leader also highlighted the issue of flood affected people and asked the Sindh government to play its due role.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2022.