Pakistan: MQM vows to raise voice for Shah Allah Ditta landowners

Locals of the area, which is close to Margalla Hills in the western side of the federal capital, staged a demonstration when MQM leaders visited the area and assured them that they would be supported, reports The Dawn.

“We will bring the issues of forced acquisition of land by the CDA before the PM,” MQM leader Abu Bakar said during the protest staged by the locals.

Bakar said the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had announced the award of the land of sector C-13 in 2008 but local landholders have so far not been given the compensation amount against their lands and built-up properties.

Zahid Malik told The Dawn that hundreds of locals of Shah Allah Ditta had not been given their due compensation against their lands and properties.

Malik said city managers have cordoned off the area and registered over 500 first investigation reports (FIRs) against those who came out of their houses and demanded their rights.

“Recently, a woman gave birth to a baby at her home as she was scared of leaving her home to rush to the hospital,” he added.

The local leadership of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have not turned up there to listen to the voices of the locals, The Dawn reported.

The locals sought the MQM’s help to get their problems resolved as the party had already raised the issue on social media and in some relevant quarters including the National Assembly.

Zahid Malik said the MQM will soon present a report to the prime minister to apprise him about what the party called “injustice” to the locals.