Nationwide Protests in Pakistan Against Evacuee Trust Property Rent Hikes
The Evacuee Trust Action Committee (ETAC) has launched a nationwide protest campaign in Pakistan. This is in response to the Evacuee Trust Property Board’s (ETPB) decision to increase rents for properties they manage. ETAC is focused on the welfare of evacuees and their descendants, particularly those displaced during the 1947 partition of British India.
Reason for Protests
The protests are directed at the Evacuee Trust Amendment Ordinance 2006, which mandates an 8% annual rent increase and gives ETPB officials the power to adjust rents based on market rates. Atiq Mir, Chairperson of the All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, condemned the ordinance as unjust and punitive.
Concerns Raised
Atiq Mir highlighted the severe injustice faced by tenants, noting that ETPB officials pressure tenants using a controversial Supreme Court ruling. This ruling allows varying rent rates for different areas. Mir pointed out that previous amendments led to a 30% rent increase and an additional fee equivalent to 60 months’ rent.
Mir warned that many tenants would struggle to afford the rent under the current law, and corruption within the department could increase. He argued against imposing uniform rent rates on all tenants, regardless of their business size or economic status.
Potential Escalation
If the arbitrary rent hikes continue, tenants plan to halt payments and refuse entry to department inspectors. The protest could spread nationwide, with sit-ins at Numaish and the Evacuee Trust Board office.
Call for Support
The meeting, attended by various business and tenant representatives, urged political parties to support the tenants’ cause. Atiq Mir reminded attendees of a previous successful protest against the ordinance, which was blocked years ago.
Doubts Revealed
Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) -: The Evacuee Trust Property Board is a government organization in Pakistan that manages properties left behind by people who moved to India during the partition in 1947. These properties are rented out, and the board is responsible for setting the rent.
Evacuee Trust Action Committee (ETAC) -: The Evacuee Trust Action Committee is a group of people in Pakistan who are protesting against the rent increases set by the Evacuee Trust Property Board. They want to stop the rent hikes because they believe it is unfair to the tenants.
Evacuee Trust Amendment Ordinance 2006 -: This is a law in Pakistan that was made in 2006. It says that the rent for properties managed by the Evacuee Trust Property Board should increase by 8% every year, and it also allows the board to change the rent as they see fit.
Atiq Mir -: Atiq Mir is the Chairperson of the All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, which is an organization representing traders in Karachi, Pakistan. He is speaking out against the rent hikes because he believes they are unfair to the tenants.
All Karachi Tajir Ittehad -: The All Karachi Tajir Ittehad is a group that represents the interests of traders and business people in Karachi, Pakistan. They are concerned about the impact of rent increases on businesses and are supporting the protests.
