ISLAMABAD: The Seraiki Bachao Tehreek (SBT) on Sunday announced to take to the streets against the hunting of houbara bustard by the Arabs. In this connection, the SBT staged its first protest in Bhakkar in which hundreds of lawyers, farmers, shopkeepers and students participated.
They shouted slogans against the Sharifs-led federal and Punjab governments. The speakers condemned the Sharifs for allowing the Qatari royal family for the bird hunting to fulfill their vested interests. They said the farmers of southern Punjab would not allow anyone to trample their crops. Bhakkar has always been a stronghold of the PML-N and Shahbaz Sharif had won the election unopposed from the city. Talking to Daily Times, Iqbal Baloch said the Prince of Qatar is Nawaz Sharif’s ‘friend’ who tried to rescue the Sharifs from Panamagate probe. He said that the Seraiki belt farmers depend merely on the cotton and grain due to unfavourable weather.
The Qatari royal family and their friends are trampling the crop by plying their heavy jeeps and vehicles on the fields. Though they give precious gifts to the Sharifs but they never compensate the poor growers for their loss. “It was the first show which was actually a trailer and afterward the real movie would be shown to the rulers as we have decided not to compromise on our financial loss”, he added. He said that a comprehensive drive would also be launched against the hunting prairies situated in Rahim Yar Khan, Rojhan and DG Khan. He threatened the government that the people of the area are now taking it seriously. Baloch said further if the rulers did not mend their ways then the drive would be transformed into a movement for a separate province and next elections would be contested under its flag which would be the biggest setback for the Sharifs. Supreme Court lawyer Azhar Sidique said the farmers could move the high court for compensation. He said according to the constitution no one even the state could intrude into someone’s private property. He said that an FIR could be registered against the Arab royal families, officers of district administration and police.