A social activist Jahangir Akhtar, generally known as Pakistani Anna Hazare in the capital city, kicked off on Monday his “hunger strike until death” against corruption and huge bigotry allocations for national defence. On the first day of his strike, Jahangir succeeded to muster the support of several human rights activists, social activists and political leaders. He established his protest camp outside the Super Market and said he would stay there until the acceptance of his demands.
Speaking on the occasion, Jahangir said that he heard about Anna Hazare’s protest but was not inspired by him. “I decided first to stage the same protest against corruption but he postponed his strike due to the Ramadan. “My struggle is against Pakistan’s security mindset that has a long history, spanning over decades,” he added. He said that any accident or military escalation might take a massive toll on human lives around the cantonments.
“Sky-rocketing inflation, swelling foreign loans and massive defence expenditures looked to me symptoms of a vulnerable Pakistan. So I announced an abrupt, emotional decision to stage a hunger strike from July 21 which I had to alter due to Ramadan” he added.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on the occasion paid tribute to Jahangir, saying that he took the much-needed step for the welfare of the country. He said his party would support Jahangir’s demands.
Farzana Bari, human right activists, on the occasion said that the public should support Jahangir Akhtar.
Senator Hasil Bizenjo also vowed to present bills introduced by Jahangir Akhtar in the parliament. He said that more millions of people had to struggle for food because of abject poverty.
Jahangir Akhtar launches Anna Hazare-style protest
