Independent candidates: Young law student hopes to fix Clifton’s water crisis

KARACHI:

Among the 42 independent candidates contesting the cantonment elections in Clifton is 28-year-old Tahir Mahmood Arain, a law student, who feels it’s time for the youth to take control of their areas.

“These days, young people are more aware of local problems,” he said. “I have been living in DHA for the last 25 years and I feel that water is the biggest issue.” Contesting from Ward No. 9, Arain said the CBC receives a hefty water budget but fails to utilise it.  When it came to choosing the election symbol, Arain had little choice. The election commission was offering strange symbols, such as pressure cooker, so the air-conditioner seemed like the best option, he said.

The law student is, however, not expecting more than 10 per cent voter turnout because of a lack of awareness. Arain himself was unable to campaign properly even though he had printed 100 banners and posters. “When I started campaigning, I was told by the authorities not to as the political parties had yet to start theirs,” he said. “Only one day before the deadline, they said I could resume.”

Another independent candidate, Younus Rizvi, who is into the real estate and construction business, feels that the cantonment elections should have been non-political, which is why he decided to contest independently. Political parties work for their own interests, he said. Contesting from DHA Phase II Extension’s Ward No. 4, he agreed that water is a major issue in the area. “None of the apartments and shops receives water from the lines and they depend on the tanker mafia,” he said, adding that a tanker costs anywhere between Rs5,000 and Rs7,000.

Battling against candidates of parties, such as the PTI, PML-N, JI, Rizvi said he stands a good chance as he is aware of the issues of the area. “Commercial areas should be systematised,” he said. “Where there are shops, one row should be divided to one type of businesses only. But we see beauty parlours next to a mechanic shop, which creates an uneasy environment.” Rizvi’s election symbol is a fridge.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2015.