Patient dies in Lahore as protesters block road

TrendPK.com

LAHORE: An old woman, heart patient died in an ambulance as the road was blocked because of the protest by paramedical staff, TrendPK reported Wednesday.

The patient was being taken to PIC for treatment.

The road was blocked for two hours due to the protest for increase in salaries. TrendPK

Over 700 arrested after protest at New York bridge

NEW YORK: Police reopened the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday evening after more than 700 anti-Wall Street protesters  were arrested for blocking traffic lanes and attempting an unauthorized march across the span.

The arrests took place when a large group of marchers, participating in a second week of protests by the Occupy Wall Street movement, broke off from others on the bridge’s pedestrian walkway and headed across the Brooklyn-bound lanes.

“Over 700 summonses and desk appearance tickets have been issued in connection with a demonstration on the Brooklyn Bridge late this afternoon after multiple warnings by police were given to protesters to stay on the pedestrian walkway, and that if they took roadway they would be arrested,” a police spokesman said.

“Some complied and took the walkway without being arrested. Others proceeded on the Brooklyn-bound vehicular roadway and were. The bridge was re-opened to traffic at 8:05 p.m. (0005 GMT Sunday 2/oct/11).”

Most of those who were arrested were taken into custody off the bridge, issued summonses and released.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene on the famous suspension bridge as a sea of police officers surrounded the protesters using orange mesh netting.

Some protesters tried to get away as officers started handcuffing members of the group. Dozens of protesters were seen handcuffed and sitting on the span as three buses were called in to take them away, witnesses and organizers said.

The march started about 3:30 p.m. from the protesters’ camp in Zuccotti Park in downtown Manhattan near the former World Trade Center. Members of the group have vowed to stay at the park through the winter.

CELEBRITY SUPPORT

In addition to what they view as excessive force and unfair treatment of minorities, including Muslims, the movement is also protesting against home foreclosures, high unemployment and the 2008 bailouts.

Filmmaker Michael Moore and actress Susan Sarandon have stopped by the protesters’ camp, which is plastered with posters with anti-Wall Street slogans and has a kitchen and library, to offer their support.

Friday evening, more than 1,000 demonstrators, including representatives of labor organizations, held a peaceful march to police headquarters a few blocks north of City Hall to protest what they said was a heavy-handed police response the previous week. No arrests were reported.

A week ago, police arrested about 80 members of Occupy Wall Street near the Union Square shopping district as the marchers swarmed onto oncoming traffic. AGENCIES

Anna Hazare declares peoples parliament

Anna Hazare vowed during his sixth day of fasting to carry on indefinitely unless legislation is passed by Aug. 30 creating an anti-corruption watchdog with authority over the judiciary and prime minister s office.

Hazare s campaign has received nonstop media attention and widespread support among both wealthy and poor Indians fed up with rampant bribery and favoritism. But some have accused the 73-year-old activist of hijacking public policy and disrespecting the legislative process by trying to force elected officials to bow to his own agenda.

Hazare told thousands gathered Sunday around his protest stage in a New Delhi park that the “people s parliament is higher than the national Parliament.”

He accused lawmakers of looting the national treasury, but said “people who are the masters have awakened” and must send corrupt officials to jail.

Lahore: demo staged against Karachi violence

LAHORE: A large number of people took to street in Lahore and registered their protest over Karachi bleeding. They also lit candles to express solidarity with the families of those who suffered murders of their loved ones, TrendPK reported Sunday.

People representing NGOs, civil society, and all walks of life participated in a peaceful demonstration occurred at famous Liberty Chowke.

Protestors were carrying banners and placards, with slogans written on them demanding restoration of peace and stern action against terrorists in metropolis.

Later, they lit candles, showing solidarity with the bereaved families of victims who were killed during recent days of bloodbath in the port city. TrendPK

Doctors threaten to resume protest

Young Doctors Association has decided to resume the protest movement saying the official committee formed to solve the issue has already taken 15 days without any outcome. The attitude of the committee is intimidating, alleged the doctors.

If Shahbaz Shraif calls the meeting by this Wednesday then they would meet him, otherwise the protest will start again, doctors warned.
Doctors appealed to the civil society to join hands with them to press their demands.

KESC decides to sack 4000 employees again

KARACHI: Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has once again decided to sack at least 4500 employees.

It should be mentioned here that the dismissal of these employees was announced some time back; however, the decision was reversed thanks to the protest that last several days.

KESC has presented to Sindh High Court (SHC) a proposal worth Rs. 5.35 billion for the Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) for 4000 employees, who will be paid up at least Rs. 700,000 and maximum Rs. 4.7 million.

KESC spokesman said the VSS will be announced on an appropriate time; however, the announcement of the scheme is contingent upon court’s permission.

Earlier also, these employees were sacked; however, they were restored to their jobs after KESC’s head office was besieged for at least one week. TrendPK

Yousafzai takes charge as PIA’s new MD

ISLAMABAD: Nadeem Yousufzai has taken charge as new Managing Director (MD) of the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) on Saturday and urged the employees to take every step to normalize the flight schedule.

The MD has appealed the PIA employees to work hard to recover loss occurred in last four days due to the protest.

Sources said that a change in different departments’ administrators is expected in coming few days.

The flight operation of PIA has returned to normal and the spokesperson of PIA has asked the passengers to arrive at airports two hours before the departure. TrendPK

Protesting pensioners march on Greek parliament

They were briefly blocked by riot police vans and security officers close to the prime minister s office, but the vans then parted and let them continue their protest. At one stage an elderly protester fainted, collapsing on the ground and having to be helped by fellow protesters. “Disgrace” and “Shame to those who govern us” shouted the several hundred senior citizens, many saying they were living off pensions as low as 400 euros, making living conditions difficult. They were also protesting planned cost cuts to the country s health care system, to be initiated following the passing of a health care reform bill on Wednesday. As part of economic reforms that were introduced in March, the government has slashed pension supplements and frozen pension rises in order to cut state costs. It has also merged several social security programs together into just a few.

Shutter down strike in Kalat and Surab

A complete shutter down strike was observed in Kalat and Surab upon the protest call by BNF and BSO (Azad); all markets and business centers remain closed.

This strike was called by BNF when two dead bodies of BSO (Azad)s workers were found from Turbat, after which a complete shutter down strike is being observed in Kalat, Surab and Khuzdar; where as traffic seen is also lesser than normal.

Shahbaz Warns of Protest Against Gas Crisis

TrendPK.com: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has warned of protest along with the labourers on The Mall Road, if the gas shortage issue remained unresolved.

During a meeting with the industrialists at his Model Town residence at Lahore on Wednesday, Shahbaz said that he would unveil the conspiracy being hatched against Punjab, adding that he would ring PM Gilani over the issue.

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