[Current Affairs] September 01,2020 Top Pakistan Current Affairs for FPSC Test Preparation

What’s going on? Five days after record-breaking monsoon rain swept through Karachi, several areas of the city are still submerged in water and without power. The rainfall damaged infrastructure. At least 19 people were also killed in rain related incidents. On Monday, DHA and Clifton residents gathered outside the Clifton Cantonment Board (CBC) to protest against the post-rain situation in their localities.

The details: At least 100 people showed up to voice their frustration against CBC and DHA authorities. The protesters wanted the CBC chief executive to address their concerns. According to a protest participant, the chief executive showed up after two hours and left asap. Later on, the CBC office reportedly called in 7 to 10 protesters to discuss their demands. However, it’s unclear which demands the CBC actually agreed to and acknowledged.

Protesters demanded: 

• Improved drainage systems in the areas.
• New roads built from scratch.
• An audit of funds collected for flood relief.
• Clean-up work.
• The resignation of the CBC head and DHA administrator.
• Flooded areas to be drained in the next three days.
• Electricity and gas to be restored within the next 24 hours.
• Spraying for mosquitoes.

Looking ahead: There is apparently too much water in DHA. Sindh govt spokesperson, Murtaza Wahab, said the provincial govt is having a hard time with the drains in DHA, but they’re doing their best. The Sindh govt reportedly deployed more machines to help drain rainwater in DHA. Sindh Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah, directed local bodies to get rid of stagnant water from different areas. Information Minister, Shibli Faraz, said the federal govt is helping the Sindh govt deal with the flood-like situation in Karachi.

The bottom line: It doesn’t look like the protests will stop here. A private Facebook group titled “Raise your voice for Karachi” was created on August 29, and already has 14K members. This group will keep members informed about upcoming peaceful protests and a petition against the CBC and DHA. According to the Facebook group, the next protest is on September 3 at the DHA Phase 1 Office. Their call to action: “Let’s raise our voices against these looters who take taxes from us and in return let our homes drown.”