KARACHI: A large crowd comprising residents of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and Clifton are staging a sit-in protest outside the Clifton Cantonment Board (CBC) office Monday, calling on the board to provide them an audit report of their performance and hold those responsible for not providing them basic amenities.
The CBC had sealed the gates of its office ahead of the protest scheduled by residents of the area. However, demonstrators breached the premises of and tried to enter the office but were stopped by police.
Angry protesters, women and children among them, held up placards and shouted slogans of “Go CBC Go” and “Ghunda Gardi Nahi Chalegi” against the board.
The protesters are demanding the chief executive officer of the CBC to address them and listen to their grievances.
Calling for an improvement in the sewerage system, the protestors are also demanding that an audit of the flood relief tax collected by the CBC be shared with them and called on the board’s members to be held accountable for the lack of amenities provided to them over the years. They have also asked the CBC to improve garbage collection in the area.
Last night, a group formed on Facebook under the name of “Petition against DHA & CBC” had announced they would protest against the authorities of DHA and Clifton outside the CBC office for the” incompetence of DHA & CBC in providing basic living conditions”.
The organizers had requested everyone to “remain peaceful at all times, not harm or hurt anyone, not damage any property and do not harm any plants or animals”.
The group admins had clarified that neither do they “promote, recommend, encourage or incite any sort of violence, nor shall they be held accountable or responsible for any person’s personal choices or acts in the Peaceful Protest.”
The organizers had also clarified that the group was not affiliated with any political party.
A list of demands have been put forward by DHA residents, which includes
Return of tax money taken from them under the “Development Charges” head.
The residents said they also wanted contractors and decision-makers held accountable for constructing “useless stormwater drains” from their funds.
Immediate removal of these cement slabs in the middle of the roads with holes in them
Removal of “charges “ and “ fees” on every kind of activity, approval and transaction inside our own homes
Installation of sewage treatment plant immediately
Stop the pollution from 150 million gallons of untreated effluent from DHA to be dumped directly into the sea
Sharing of 10 years audit report so residents know how their tax money is being spent
Stop reclaiming land from the sea for more housing without an infrastructure plan. This will increase further drainage/ sanitation problems
Stop renting out empty plots for the storage of animals
Separate area of storing of animals
Designated Slaughterhouses
New international standards drainage system to be installed immediately
Immediate repair of broken sewerage lines and roads
Hanging cables and telephone wires to go underground immediately
All electricity poles to be earthed and every pole be issued safety certificate by DHA. Saving lives is a joint responsibility.
