KARACHI - Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) on Sunday staged demonstration over the water crisis for the 3rd consecutive day at Orangi Town near Chowrangi No-5.
A large number of workers and supporters, including women and children, carrying placards and banner participated in the protest and expressed their anger by breaking empty pots. They chanted slogans against Sindh government stating that the PPP led government has created an artificial water crisis in the city and punishing citizens for their love for MQM chief Altaf Hussain. MQM Members Coordination Committee, MNAs, MPAs and others were present on occasion. MQM leaders addressing the demonstrators said that the party is consistently pressing authorities but they do not pay any heed. They said that finally the party has compelled to protest for water, gas and electricity.
Criticising provincial government they said that rulers have created artificial crisis while water is being distributed in city on political grounds. They alleged that Sindh government is patronising tanker mafias and have failed to provide water to the economic hub of the country.
They further said that despite protest from the people, Sindh government is not taking any visible measures to ensure water supply to citizens. They said that Karachi should be given autonomy for resolving its issues.
They asked analysts, journalists and writers to highlight the issue as the government does not care of residents of Karachi that play a vital role in generating revenue for the country. They said that they paid additional taxes in the name of economic stability.
KE denies unscheduled
loadshedding
Citizens are being victimised by private power company as it has initiated unannounced power loadshedding in residential areas of city after uncertain power shortage at KW&SB installations The Nation learnt on Sunday.
People living in Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, New Karachi, North Nazimabad, Federal B Area, Korangi, Landhi, Malir, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Sachal Goth, Bin Qasim Town, Kemari, Shah Faisal Colony and North Karachi have complained of unscheduled loadshedding. They said that the rise in unannounced loadshedding is affecting city life inversely.
A house-wife, resident of Federal B area Hina Arsalan said that unannounced power cut along with other problems had also created shortage of water in the neighborhood. She said that it has disturbed daily routine while it was difficult for her and her children to take rest with frequent power outages.
Mirza Hanif Baig an employee of private company said that the unannounced loadshedding is harsh in this weather. He said that frequent interruptions in the power supply had made it difficult for students who were preparing for exams.
Kamal Siddiqui resident of North Karachi said that residents of the area are facing water shortage due to the interrupted power supply. He said that power goes out at the time scheduled water supply which is making it hard for them to get water even.
Farhan Khan, a government employee, said that service department of private power company lacks sense of duty. He said that it takes hours and sometime days to remove fault and restore the power supply. He said that the government and concerned authorities should take serious steps to address loadshedding issues.
Though, the KE denied any unannounced loadshedding in the city but while talking to The Nation, KE spokesman Adil Murtaza said that there was no excessive loadshedding in the city and recovery areas are exempted from the loadshedding. He said that they have been receiving complaints regarding power shutdown but it was not loadshedding rather technical faults occurring due to over loading.
Problems of overloading is frequently occurring due to excessive use of air conditioners and other devices in the hot weather, he said adding that KE team was resolving these issues on urgent basis.