KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan on Saturday said that financial hardships are driving people to take their own lives, accusing the federal and provincial governments of failing to address the country’s economic and civic problems.
Addressing a press conference at the JI sit-in in Karachi, Monem Zafar Khan said the party’s protest was against what he described as “fake agreements” with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
He alleged that public money was being wasted while the rulers were unwilling to cut their own lavish expenditures.
“People are suffering from economic hardship and are being driven to suicide,” he said, adding that those in power had little concern for the problems faced by ordinary citizens.
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Monem claimed that the federal government had spent Rs69 billion on fuel alone, while Rs44 billion had been collected in taxes from salaried employees.
Karachi Facing Growing Problems
The JI leader said Karachi’s problems were increasing with each passing day and held the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) responsible for the city’s deteriorating situation.
He accused the PPP-led provincial government of being corrupt and incompetent, alleging that it had failed to resolve the basic problems faced by Karachi’s residents.
Monem Zafar Khan also criticised the government over its commitment to repair Karachi’s roads within 60 days, saying the deadline had passed without the promised work being completed.
Monem claimed that millions of people continued to face difficulties commuting on University Road every day.
He said Karachi residents were struggling to access basic necessities, including water and gas.
“Neither water is available in Karachi nor is gas being supplied properly,” he said, accusing both the federal and provincial governments of repeatedly deceiving the people.
He alleged that the PPP had subjected the people of Karachi to injustice, vowing that the JI would continue its protest and raise the issues faced by Karachi’s residents.