A Pakistani businessman who was inspired by Indian anti-graft campaigner Anna Hazare to begin a fast unto death against corruption ended his protest on Tuesday after parliamentarians assured him of action on his demands.
Raja Jahangir Akhtar, who owns a shop in Islamabad's Super Market and is affiliated with the ruling Pakistan People's Party, had begun his fast on September 12.
He ended his eight-day-old protest after a group of lawmakers assured him that they would take up his demand for an anti-corruption bill in the next session of parliament.
The lawmakers who met Akhtar included PPP spokesperson Farahnaz Ispahani, Anoosha Rehman of the PML-N, and Aitzaz Ahsan and Safdar Abbasi of the PPP. A large number of people from different political parties and civil society groups also met Akhtar and expressed solidarity with him.
Akhtar ended his fast by drinking a glass of mango juice offered to him by former minister Aitzaz Ahsan. He was taken to hospital shortly after he ended his fast.
People who spoke on the occasion said corruption was a genuine issue for society that can be tackled with the support of the public. Akhtar thanked the parliamentarians for showing solidarity with him.
Efforts to get Akhtar to end his protest got underway after his condition began deteriorating.