Sindh government goes back on their word: After footage of the Bahria Town evictions went viral last week, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari ordered a halt on these activities after public outrage. The Sindh government also assured the public that demolitions and encroachment of the villages will stop. However, just a week later, Bahria Town is back with support from Sindh Police in their activities.
We definitely want to focus on this that there's no injustice with anyone and especially if injustice has happened in yesterday's incident then action should be taken against those who supported this injustice: Bilawalhttps://t.co/v5SyG3YmJT
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) April 30, 2021
New footage shows violence: Today, new footage has started making the rounds on Twitter that shows Bahria Town administration is back with support from Sindh Police, despite Sindh government’s statement last week. Furthermore, this time violence can be seen in the videos as security forces have started shooting at unarmed protestors and a number of protestors have been injured in the atrocities.
Look at this brutality those who are asking for proof.
"Daikho, Daikho, Kaisay Goliyan Maar Rahy Hain Ye."@abbasnasir59 @ammaralijan @AmmarRashidT @AsadAToor#SayNoToBahriaTown
Ps. Vedio by Aqib Raheem pic.twitter.com/kZwn9AbrZy
— Zuhaib Ahmed (@zuhaib_pirzada) May 7, 2021
Activist Ammar Ali Jan commented on how Bahria Town is being portrayed as a ‘state above a state’ as the destruction of villages continued despite the government order.
A few days ago, Sindh govt assured public that demolitions & encroachment by Bahria Town will stop. Today, Sindh police is facilitating destruction of villages for Bahria town. Shows Malik Riaz controls a "state above state," making a mockery of our institutions & "democracy".
— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) May 7, 2021
A number of tweets came under the hashtag #SayNoToBahriaTown as people shared videos of today’s atrocities being committed at the same two villages we saw construction teams reach for encroachment last week.
This graveyard surrounded by BTK walls tells us about centuries old existence of indigenous. BTK tries to occupy this burial ground too as it grabbed our cultural memorials affiliated to Shah Bhitai & built washrooms over them. #SayNoToBahriaTown pic.twitter.com/5kTFfsjW9D
— Mehran Memon (@MehranMemon32) May 7, 2021
People have questioned why the government is failing to protect indigenous lands and people.
We strongly condemn the firing of Bahria Town authorities and their goons on the indigenous people resisting the occupation of their land. The people are currently being shot at by them. Please raise your voice and help using #SayNoToBahriaTown
— Aurat Azadi March Islamabad (@AuratAzadiMarch) May 7, 2021
The Karachi Bachao Tehreek on Twitter is live tweeting updates regarding the events of today at the numerous villages on the outskirts of Bahria Town Karachi.
On-ground update from Bahria Town: The goons have opened straight fire on protesters! Two people are injured. Spread the word about this latest instance of brutality against Pakistani citizens!!!#SayNoToBahriaTown
— Karachi Bachao Tehreek (@StopEvictionKHI) May 7, 2021