The Pakhtoon Action Committee (Loya Jirga), which met on Sunday at Bacha Khan Center Karachi decided to postpone its June 30 strike call for a few weeks to give some time to the government for resolving the issues. The strike call was given to lodge protest against the demolition of slums and raise voice over certain issues pertaining to transport sector.
Loya Jirga (LJ) Chairman Shahi Syed, who presided over the meeting, said that Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad had invited the jirga for talks on June 15 for which a 10-member delegation was formed but in the meantime the governor had to go abroad.
On June 18, the LJ decided to observe strike on June 30 but again the governor on his return invited the jirga for talks.
"On June 22, the LJ delegation held talks with the governor on its 13-point agenda. The talks were held in cordial atmosphere and the governor assured that all the issues raised would be considered seriously to sort them out," Shahi Syed said.
It was decided at the Governor House that a review meeting would be held after three weeks. The LJ reviewed the details of its meeting with governor and felt it satisfactory. It also decided to continue negotiations with the government, as it requires some time to resolve the problems being of serious nature, he said, adding that during this period the LJ would assess as if the government was sincere to this end.
Shahi Syed declared that in case the government took any action against the slums where the people belonging to oppressed nationalities dwell, the LJ would take direct action.
"Postponing of strike call should not be taken as our weakness. This decision has been taken to maintain peace in Karachi. It now depends on the government to take practical steps and maintain peace, cordial atmosphere in the city on permanent basis," he said.