Saleem Sabri, an associate of slain Qawwal Amjad Sabri, is protesting in front of the Karachi Press Club. He is demanding the Sindh government to give him Rs1.5 million as compensation which it had announced when Sabri died.
Saleem had also sustained injuries when gunmen killed Amjad Ali Sabri in Liaquatabad in 2016. After the incident, the provincial government had announced compensation for him. But even after the passage of four years, the amount remains unpaid.
Saleem in an emotional qawwali shared how he (with Amjad Sabri) sacrificed his entire life for the sake of Islam. Many people pay Amjab Sabri a tribute for his contribution to Pakistan. But, the government seems to neglect the people associated with him. They are living a life of hunger and poverty.
His son was also seen joining him in the protest. He was holding a placard which showed how his family is struggling with poverty during the ongoing crisis.
Amjad Sabri’s Associate living a miserable life
“Main berozgari ki zindagi guzar raha hoon (I am living a life with no source of income). Hamain na Benazir income support program, na Imran Khan relief program se koi madad mili (We didn’t receive any help from any government’s relief programs during this crisis). I didn’t even receive money which the government promised after Amjad Sabri’s death,” he said.
Qawali Protest: Saleem Sabri, an associate of Amjad Sabri, protests in front of Karachi Press Club seeking Rs1.5 million compensation that Sindh govt had announced when Amjad Sabri was killed in 2016. Saleem had sustained injuries in the attack. pic.twitter.com/6dJ6MAPYPg
— Fazil Jamili (@faziljamili) April 15, 2020
This is not the first time he demanded his money from the Sindh government. Earlier in 2018, he staged a similar protest outside Chief Minister House in Karachi, seeking the compensation money. “I am tired of visiting the officials. No one gives a positive response. I used to assist Amjad but after his death, I have no money to pay rent and take care of my children,” he said.
Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah took notice of the protest and ordered the authorities to release the amount back in 2018. Still, Saleem didn’t receive his money after a long period.
Where the government is taking donations to help people in need, people like Saleem are still suffering and living miserable lives. It has raised a lot of questions on the government’s performance and their donation drive.
Already, Imran Khan’s donation drive has been receiving a lot more flak from the people. However, still many local and international celebrities have been requesting Pakistanis to donate generously in the COVID-19 relief fund.
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