Press Release 29-04-07 Sahil Bachao Coalition Protest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Abira Ashfaq, Sahil Bachao Coalition
Phone: 03343550336, email: abira_a@hotmail.com

Sunday, April 29^, 2007 - 5 pm Sahil Bachao Coalition Protest - Take Back the Beach from Real Estate Profiteers

Karachi -- April 23, 2007 – The Sahil Bachao Coalition is a group of Karachi residents including lawyers, artists, architects, teachers, physicians and other professionals. The coalition is mobilizing against DHA’s illegal construction plans along Karachi’s Clifton Beach. It held an immensely successful and colourful protest on April 15^th and will hold another one on April 29th. Hundreds marched together with banners and distributed paper boats and flyers to onlookers. People present at the beach were incredibly supportive and many joined the march to register their protest against DHA's plans.

The DHA has plans to construct theme parks, marinas, expo centres, expensive hotels, and condominiums on the 14 km of beach area between McDonalds and the Golf club. According to architect/social researcher Arif Hasan: “This area is currently enjoyed by Pakistanis of all backgrounds. This development threatens to shut out the common person’s free and unobstructed access to most of the beach area. It is against the law and will destroy the environment.” This construction plan will only serve the interests of real estate developers and other profiteers. It will end Karachi’s one multi-class open recreational space and will become a place for the affluent few. Architect Arif Belgaumi added that “Development plans should be sustainable and this plan is not. It is made in complete disregard of Karachi's infrastructure and the social needs of its residents.”

The Sahil Bachao Coalition invites everyone to come raise their voice with them. Please wear blue!

For information: Contact sahilbachao@gmail.com

Images from the kick-off Sahil Bachao Rally

Some images from the kick-off Sahil Bachao rally held on Sunday 15th April at the Clifton beachfront. The rally was a huge success. Several hundred men women and children holding banners and paper boats marched down Beach Avenue from McDonalds to the Kinara Restaurant and back on the beach. Along the way they were joined by several groups of picnickers on the beach.

Sahil Bachao Petition Online

The Sahil Bachao petition demanding an end to DHA's Beach Development Plan has been posted online. Please visit the link, http://www.petitiononline.com/oursahil/petition.html and sign the petition. Also, please circulate the petition to friends and family and encourage them to support this initiative by signing the petition.

2nd Sahil Bachao Rally

The Second Sahil Bachao Rally will be held on Sunday 29th April 2007 at 5:00pm. We will gather in the parking lot in front of the Seaview McDonalds. The walk will begin at 5:30pm sharp. Please join us to protest the DHA Beach Destruction Plans.