Here’s what’s happening across the border: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first female driver was murdered, and the Hazara community of Quetta is protesting against their targeted killing.
Pakistan’s business sector doesn’t want China’s extensive investment
Businessmen in Pakistan are worried about the extensive investment flowing in from China, fearing that their country will become a dumping ground for Chinese goods.
“China has already eaten half of our economy, what else it could do?” Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Mufassar Ata Malik told The Express Tribune. Malik was talking about the business community’s apprehensions towards China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The KCCI has also been holding exhibitions to invite other international investors in the finance sector and to dispel inhibitions of investors to fund businesses in Karachi.
Economist Akbar Zaidi also pointed out the impending threat caused by Chinese manufacturing to Pakistan’s domestic industry.
“Imports from China have been increasing, that has forced many industries in Pakistan to shut down and when they start manufacturing here, imagine what will happen?” he asked.
KP’s first female taxi driver killed by husband
Nabila Amber, the first female taxi driver of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was murdered by her husband Tuesday, as the Peshawar police found out.
Amber’s husband Abdul Basit was taken into police custody where he confessed to killing his wife after his initial attempt to cover it up as a burglary attempt. The police also recovered the murder weapon from Basit. Amber’s car and mobile phones were found missing after she was killed.
This incident comes five months after the couple wed each other. It was Amber’s second marriage. The police learnt that Basit had another wife who did not know of Amber, who threatened to expose him.
Hazara community on a hunger strike for ‘right to life’, CJP takes notice
The Hazara community in Quetta is protesting against targeted killings after two men were gunned down by suspected terrorists inside their shop last Saturday.
The protesters blocked roads, burnt tyres and chanted slogans after the government failed to arrest the gunmen.
The community members have also gone on a hunger strike which has entered its fourth day today. The protest is against the targeted killing of the Hazaras with four incidents taking place in April alone.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) addressed the issue by issuing a suo motu notice on the targeted killings and said that he will hear the case on May 11.
“Hazaras are scared and have thus not submitted a request to the apex court,” the CJP told Geo News.
Sindh’s workers march for their rights on Labour Day
The National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) of Pakistan carried out a rally in Sindh on the occasion of international Labour Day this Tuesday. The rally saw a large number of workers from different industries, including women involved in household work, protesting against ‘the capitalist system’ in place.
The speakers pointed out that 90 per cent of the industrial units were not implementing minimum wage law in Pakistan and nor were they abiding by the eight-hour shift rules.
Meanwhile, on the same day President Mamnoon Hussain addressed the labour population of Pakistan and said that the government of Pakistan is making pro-labour policies. Hussain cited the increase in worker wages in the recent budget.