Many Pakistanis are fed up with corruption of their politicians, bureaucrats and armed forces. Raja Jahangir Akhtar, an elderly Businessman and Social activist sat on fast unto death from 12th September 2011.
Raja Jahangir Akhtar
His crusade was against country's serious economic situation, corruption and huge military spending. He had two main demands: that Pakistan's parliament pass an anti-corruption bill and that Pakistan reduce its military expenses and divert that fund to create a welfare state for its citizens. A third less publicized demand was that Pakistan's military move its facilities out of residential areas to avoid civilian casualties in case of any conflicts.
Raja Jahangir on fast unto death
Raja Jahangir's Anti-corruption rally
Wearing a white shalwar kameez and black band on his head, his campaign against corruption attracted a large gathering. Huge crowd of people from all walks of life, including civil society activists, representatives of progressive parties assembled at the intersection on China Chowk underpass near Super Market in the F-6 sector where a rally prior to the start of his fasting culminated.
After nine days of fasting, some Parliamentarians and leaders of the two prominent political parties assured Jahangir Akhtar that an anti-corruption bill will be tabled in the next session of the Parliament.
Raja Jahangir breaks fasting with mango juice
On receiving this assurance, Jahangir Akhtar broke his fast unto death with a glass of mango juice.
Justice Nasir Alam Zahid, a former judge and Krmat Ali, the
Director of Pakistan Institute of Labour, Education and Research met Anna Hazare
in his village Ralegan Sidhi, in Maharastra in India to seek Anna Hazare’s opinion on organizing Anti
Corruption Drive in Pakistan similar to that of Anna Hazare's in India.
Justice Nasir Alam Zahid & team of Pakistan meet Anna Hazare
“We want support from Anna Hazare in our fight against
corruption. We have invited him to come to Pakistan”, said Justice Zahid after
the meeting.
