The writer is Editor of The Express Tribune
Karachi is the capital of PPP-ruled Sindh province while Lahore is the capital of PML-N dominated Punjab. Despite the fact that Karachi pays almost three times the amount paid by Lahore in municipal taxes, there is little to show for this. The city is in a mess. In contrast, Lahore seems to be going places. Chief minister Shahbaz Sharif is changing the face of Lahore for the better. The city is soon to see a state of the art rapid urban transport system, one of several initiatives launched by the Punjab government.
Lahore is a beautiful city. It is green. It has parks and playgrounds. The streets are clean. Crime is low. Industry and commerce are flourishing. Law and order is under control. Traffic is controlled and orderly. Education, transport and health have seen major improvements in the past five years. The city’s administration is keen to improve the lives of people and the Chief Minister takes personal interest in public welfare projects.
Now let us compare this with Karachi. Much of the city has been encroached. Not only parks and playgrounds, now even public schools. Recently we saw the provincial government selling off a city school for a marriage hall. The government remained unshaken.
So bad is Karachi’s transport system, which is run by private operators, that it is a common sight to see people sitting on top of buses. Hospitals and schools have been run into the ground. Corruption is rampant. Accountability, nil.
Law and order needs a separate chapter. The police is not in anyone’s control. It is a business empire of its own. Home ministers who tried to interfere were removed. The Sindh CM now looks after the home department himself. The police receive more bhatta in Karachi than all others combined.
Bhatta is a special feature of Karachi. Nowhere else in Pakistan are parchis sent with such flourish. No one is spared. Even schools and hospitals are also issued parchis. The government expresses its helplessness at controlling this.
The Quaid’s city seems to be a source of unending revenue for everyone. Traffic police earns millions daily. This is done by allowing all sorts of public transport and vehicles on the roads under a token system racket. The resultant deaths in traffic accidents by over-speeding buses and dumper trucks are almost never followed up.
Billions are spent in Sindh on law and order. We have the police and the Rangers. But in the same city, men riding on motorcycles in clear view of the law enforcers shoot and kill people and calmly walk away. Thousands are mugged every month. The city’s crime is at a record high. And there are fears that with elections approaching, things will get worse.
Kidnapping is a cottage industry here. Almost everyone has joined the bandwagon. And yet nothing seems to move the Sindh chief minister who lives in a state of self-denial. His only response has been to pay known personalities to appear on TV and praise his government. The bill footed by the taxpayer.
In January only, almost 20 days went to holidays or strikes. Billions were lost by industry. Valuable lives were taken. The police did nothing. A large percentage is tied up in VIP duty. Much of the government’s resources are at the personal disposal of the ministers and government bureaucrats. So petty is the thinking of this government which claims that it is working for the good of the country that it ousted an efficient and popular city government only so that its own ministers could make money on kickbacks. The present city administrator, an unelected official appointed by a party that prides itself in its democratic credentials, has even sold the city’s pavements to commercial interests. Almost no major project has been undertaken by him except for building security details around the houses of VIPs.
One can only hope for Karachi’s future. Every time people make fun of Shahbaz Sharif, one is tempted to offer an exchange of chief ministers. It’ll change Karachi’s prospects for sure.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2013.
COMMENTS (46)
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@Hammad Siddiqui: you ever visit karachi hhqhahahaha i think you see korangi area hahaha mian city of karachi i dont think so but karachi earn 3 time more then lahore
@Lala Gee: Well democracy was the best revenge for Punjab. But seriously, why do we need an article to tell us what we already know? Anyone who travels to Lahore from Karachi can see that Punjab cities are much better than anywhere else in Pakistan. For that matter I think they are better than most cities anywhere in South Asia including India, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. My Indian friend went from UK as a Yatri to Lahore and said that Pak Punjab was a lot cleaner and better than Indian Punjab and UP with fewer beggers and no people living on streets like India.
Lahore is really turning into the Paris of th East. Cops are smart and dont take any bribe, wheras the Karachi cops look sick, tired and drugged all the time. No wall-chalkings to be seen in Lahore and hardly any beggars. I would tend to blame the coallition govt of Sind for all the miseries of Karachi. MQM being top on the list. The argument that Lahore is being developed at the cost of Punjab is utter nonsense. I am originally a Karchiite and it really hurts. SS is doing a great job.
@John the Baptist: Those who never tire claiming to own Karachi, need to ask themselves what have they done for this city, which has provided them home, jobs and opportunities. I am sure building few roads or bridges and underpasses, which have become hunting grounds for target killers, muggers etc is not their vision of serving citizens. After all the police works under the provincial government, of which they have been a part for two decades now. Karachi, once the most beautiful city full of life, has been reduced to most dangerous city of Asia because of greed of few.
Those who never tire claiming to own Karachi, need to ask themselves what have they done for this city, which has provided them home, jobs and opportunities. I am sure building few roads or bridges and underpasses, which have become hunting grounds for target killers, muggers etc is not their vision of serving citizens. After all the police works under the provincial government, of which they have been a part for two decades now. Karachi, once the most beautiful city full of life, has been reduced to most dangerous city of Asia because of greed of few.
Congrats PML-N for hiring the serives of The Express Tribune before elections ........ I don't say it's a paid article.
@shahid: The problem is totally the opposite; Karachi and most of the province of Sindh is being ruled by people with roots in India and no links to the land. The manage the city on an opportunistic basis with the purpose of siphoning out whatever funds they can get their hands on.
@Fizza Rizvi: Good one Fizza.
@Omer: The natives may rule other parts of Sindh, but they do not have the same resources as Karachi has.
@FS: It's sad that some people can't get beyond petty politics and just agree with the obvious. I think this is the problem with Pakistan. People can't appreciate good work. I live in Canada and I went with my family to Pakistan last year visting many cities in the Punjab. Despite all the horror stories people tell you about things in Pakistan, I wasn't at all worried in the cities I saw: Lahore, Rawalipindi and Gujranwala. Maybe I'm biased since I only went to Punjab but you get the feeling that things are developing and improving. I last went there 7 years ago. Whoever is in charge has done a good job.
The City of Karachi first and foremost needs the circular railway back a city without a rail based transport is like a body with choked arteries, the reason why the city is suffering is because of this. and I am pushing Circular railway only because metro projects are too expensive for a nation like pakistan(honest, no pun) connect the circular network with nearby cities, like the mumbai local trains connect navi mumbai and thane, and how delhi metro has already connected to ghaziabad, noida and gurgaon already while connections to faridabad, bahadurgarh and sonipat are on their way. This will help reduce the burdon on he existing city and will also promote development of nearby areas, not to mention the pollution levels going down considerably. Rail based transport is essential for any city to flourish. Roads might get jammed due to rains, accidents or deliberate human actions, at least people will not be stuck in one place and will have an option to move around.
Very good article. Compare the development that has taken place in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Mianwali, DG Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Sargodha etc and the development in Karachi Sukkur, Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Larkana, Gothki etc since 2008 and the quality of work done. There existed a functional Tram system in Karachi till the 60s, which was dismantled and now it seems our governments don't think public transport, health or education are their responsibility. Those who criticize Metro Bus, Danish Schools and construction of new hospitals in Lahore and rest of Punjab, need to ask themselves what prevented them from doing better jobs in their own province. Yes there is a lot of room for improvement and these projects should have been better planned, but atleast some work has been done in Punjab. The law & order in Lahore and rest of Punjab is better than in Sind or KP or Balochistan, because the police there fears the wrath of CM, while in Karachi, the police fear criminals more than anybody else. Nobody can visualize 90,000 containers gone missing in Punjab, as they did in Karachi.
Following the comments; its good to see PML(N)'s social media is working
how can u even compare Karachi and Lahore Karachi was at this point 5 years ago ever seen the infrastructure here the malls, the roads, the traffic. yes rush hours can be annoying but so they are in every big city of the world ever heard about london's or newyork's rush hours they are definitely more developed then lahore plus the ethinicities here the populaion leads to conflicts which are fired by the parties but internally people are very much at peace i have never seen a pathan being discriminated by a muhajir or a punjabi or sindhi this is the common man we are talking about as far as crime rate is concerned that is another problem of a metropolitan try comparing it with a metropolitan will be a much better read P.S the bus service u are talking about is unaffordable by half of khi's population thus unfeasible here btw we have a much lesser rate of load shedding and a larger amount of CNG's we are still allowed gas generators in our houses which is against the punjab law
You know what it is my Sindgi ppl you don't own Pak as whole, you just care about Sindh n that's it. Own Pak as whole all the problems will be resolved. And there is no immigrant in Pak Provinices.
The problem with Karachi is that Sindh is ruled by PPP who comes from votes from interior Sindh and have no attachment to Karachi nor they have any capable person in thier fold.Sindhis vote for them on emotional ground not realising that they have done no development work for interior sindh as well and now whole sindh has turned into mohenjodaro. If sindh is given on contract to china or korea in few years time it can become a new Korea.
This is a good article, a break from the frontal attacks on the government of Sindh, a blow that hits where it should really shame the present rulers of Karachi. What legacy are you passing on to the next generation? There was a time when New York city was the crime capital of the US. Beirut was destroyed by years of civil war. Both cities have recovered. Yes, it is possible. Needs courage and dedication. As for Lahore looking good in comparison to Karachi, it is not that Lahore is shining. It is a comparison between a chief minister who spends time on solving infrastructural problems of Lahore and one who thinks he is God's gift to Karachi and Sindh. He seems more concerned about placing ads with tall claims which are laughable. It is a revenge all right. It must not continue if the people use their votes in a wise manner. Otherwise, they can count on many more years of revenge while Lahore will move on. .
Karachi and Sind are being Run by Coallition of Liberal parties whereas Lahore and Punjab by the Right wing party, Feel The Difference!!. Dont you think the liberals are totaly inept and should not be consider by people in upcoming election?
@Hammad Siddiqui: "I am in Dhaka these days and see people talking on cellphones while walking in the streets, or riding on cycle rickshaws. This looks so odd, because in Karachi this is almost impossible!"
Just curious. Why is it odd for people to talk on cellphones in Karachi? I understand that cellphone ownership in Pakistan is much higher than Bangladesh.
Dear Urdu Speaking Bhai Sahib. The aim of the article is to show the difference in Governance. It has got nothing to do with "hatred". When Karachi was being developed (and you are WRONG, about the development in Lahore) all Pakistan was happy. So, please get rid of this "ethinic" based thinking and think as a Pakistani. You have elected a CORRUPT government - so own the responsibility Rather trying to give this an ethinic view.
GROW UP please
@Zahid: Keep living in fool's paradise. Ask the people of Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad etc. and than make such comments. Yes, the Metro Bus the bioggest project is in Lahore, but the other cities in Punjab have also had their share. Go there and see before you toe the "official" PPP lines
this piece should be in ads.section not in opinion page.
Lahore is largely composed of ONE ethnic and linguistic group. Karachi has several. Lahore is run by a political Party that has urban roots. Karachi is controlled by a Party that is mired in Feudalism. Therein is your answer.
Development in Karachi is slow paced un doubtingly in comparison with Lahore and it is leading toward stone age owing to lack of ownership of Karachi at grass root level.Karachi witnessed phenomenal development during the last government time when city emerged attractive and decorated with number of underpasses, overhead bridges and neat road network.Currently, those true representation and son of soil of Karachi are almost out of whole decision making and development business. Most of the government official and political leaders hail from rural area with no acquaintance with problem faced by citizen of the city.For them Karachi is only money making machine and nothing else.
Infrastructure development made in Karachi five years ago, is now no more! Roads have developed potholes, dirt and filth stays on the streets until some VIP is scheduled to travel on those roads - Karachi is in a bad shape and there is no doubt about it.
I am in Dhaka these days and see people talking on cellphones while walking in the streets, or riding on cycle rickshaws. This looks so odd, because in Karachi this is almost impossible!
The comparison is between Lahore and Karachi NOT Punjab and Sindh, if it was Sindh would come out as even worse...PPP has been in power for 5 years in both the center and provincial govt...yet Sindh saw no appreciable improvement infact things seem to have gotten even worse for the common man...so yes this article paints PLM-N in a positive light but the facts are true...Lahore has seen improvement while Karachi has been on a downward slide... ''You are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts''
Please don't misguide people by calling Shahbaz Sharif as Chief Minister of Punjab. But I won't mind if you compare him with Mustafa Kamal. Shahbaz Sharif is no better than the mayor of Lahore.
"Lahore is a beautiful city. It is green. It has parks and playgrounds. The streets are clean. Crime is low. Industry and commerce are flourishing. Law and order is under control. Traffic is controlled and orderly. Education, transport and health have seen major improvements in the past five years. The city’s administration is keen to improve the lives of people and the Chief Minister takes personal interest in public welfare projects." Sir, are you talking about Lahore? if so then please visit and stay, I'm sure you will change opinion. However like many other I believe Lahore could be a neat & clean city, with law & order in Place, but this is dream for us Lahorites and hope of realization of this dream is remote.
@Usman..have you seen faislabad, rawalpindi, multan, bahawalpur??? Its PPP in federation which is ruining punjab's textile, not PML(n)..
Pay special regards to MQM - the owners of the city.
Lahore will also not disappoint its well wisher. Insha-Allah, PML(N) will win all national and provincial assembly seats of Lahore region.
@Sindhi_Pakistani: Are you in your senses? karchi is still better than interior sindh where the natives rule with all their might!
@Usman: By all means, one should look at all of Punjab's cities outside of Lahore and you will see that Shahbaz Sharif has brought improvements to all of them - Faislabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Bahawalpur. The key ingredient is to have a CM who is on the ground and takes a personal interest in making sure things get done. That is the key reason why Punjab is developing and stable. Add to this no support from the Federal government in Islamabad and Shahbaz Sharif's successes are truly impressive. The textile industry in Faislabad is working through the energy crisis in its own way but my friends from there tell me they blame Federal policies and lack of initiative or work under the previous 9 years of dictatorship for the current energy shortfall. I have no doubt the current Punjab CM will work this out too.
To portray Lahore as a model city at the expense of Karachi just because it is not as 'bad' as Karachi is asking for low standards. Punjab is not limited to Lahore. Ask the traders of Faisalabad and they will tell you some heart breaking stories of how Pakstan's textile industry's gone downhill due to PML-N misgovernance. . We used to see Pakistani made textiles in Melbourne, Australia, especially at IKEA stores and BigW. Now they are slowly being replaced with Made in India and Made in Bangladesh. Chief Minister's governance? Take a look at Punjab outside Lahore Sir, and you shall see.
@Lala Gee: "Didn’t they told you honestly “democracy is the best revenge”? And the Sindhi people in general, and the author in particular, are allergic to anything but democracy, and for them democracy means rule of PPP or MQM. So, this is your own choice, isn’t it?" Geting old!!
As a permanent visitors of both the cities, I would like to appreciat Laborer. In karachi there is no peace at all, presently am at Khi
@Lala Gee: Fail to see your logic in using these examples to discredit democracy. Lahore too has a democratically elected government and the author has obviously praised it. The heart of democracy is when voters get a chance to vote after a government has completed is full term. They can then reelect those that performed and throw out those that did not, the people of Pakistan have not been provided this opportunity until now.
Pre-partition Karachi was peaceful and thriving city, post partition, this city became hotbed for communal rifts, religious extremism, mafia gangs and violent political groups. More than two million illegal immigrants are living in Karachi, they are also cause of trouble in Karachi. The native of this city were marganlized, the heart of Sindh-Karachi is bleeding due to state's soft policies on militant political and religious groups, while state has always been treating Sindhis and Balochs of Karachi as step mother children. Lahore on other hand is in control of native people, and immigrants are well integrated in Lahore. They dont fight on racial differences on contrary to Karachi's situation. All immigrants from within Pakistan or outside should live like brothers in Karachi Sindh Pakistan, otherwise they should leave Sindh because Pakistan doesnt END in Sindh.
well karachi is pakistan's economic hub....so it is far more important city than lahore.........but lahore faces more loashedding than karachi so how are the industires flourishing???
A nice article overall.
Although, we can not compare two cities on absolute basis or in terms of magnitude and numbers.
But the direction of change and recent developments in Lahore say it all.
Didn't they told you honestly "democracy is the best revenge"? And the Sindhi people in general, and the author in particular, are allergic to anything but democracy, and for them democracy means rule of PPP or MQM. So, this is your own choice, isn't it?
I hope the column doesn't ignite or add fuel to the fire of ethnic hatred/animosity. I don't know if the writer wants to praise Shahbaz Sharif or spread any type of anger against Punjabis. I am an Urdu Speaking by the way. In terms of Karachi and Lahore,I guess both the cities witnessed developments during the regime of Parvez Musharraf. And if you want to know the real story then kindly watch how Nawaz Sharif was not able to speak infront of Talal Hussain after listening to questions about certain problems and issues the city of Lahore face. Presently, youth has put hopes in Imran Khan who seems to be the only person that talk about Pakistan as a whole rather than one specific city. MQM, despite its ills, also addressed public concerns when Musharraf handed them responsibilities of Karachi.For PPP,tell me if they develop anything in Larkana,let alone other cities of Pakistan.
Kamal sb, Shahbaz Sharif is suffering from Lahore syndrome. He is developing Lahore at the cost of rest of the Punjab, especially the southern parts of the province.
That is the difference between NS and others.What he promised he did it.