The people of Karachi deserve better treatment. They have every right to look towards a happy and peaceful life
ISLAMABAD: Karachiites have been braving problems like power outages and water shortage, along with a host of other problems, for a long time. The recent heatwave that has devoured so many innocent lives has left the already battered residents of the city in a state of shock. They stand totally bewildered and do not know as to what fate has in store for them in the foreseeable future. Having seen the tragic scenario that confronts Karachi today, one cannot help but take stock of the failure of the civilian administration to effectively cope with the multifarious problems of this crisis-stricken economic hub of the country.
Despite the tall claims made by the city’s major power distribution company, K-Electric, about an improved supply of electricity across the metropolitan, the situation remains abysmally poor with incessant power outages making the lives of residents miserable during the ongoing unbearable and life-threatening heatwave. The persistent water shortage only adds to the mounting miseries of the people of Karachi. While people continue to suffer grossly, the water tanker mafia continues to thrive at their cost. Yet, another important aspect that has completely exposed the failure of the city administration and must be highlighted, is the miserably low capacity of public hospitals to handle crises of such magnitude and provide appropriate medical aid to affected people. The morgues at the hospitals, too, proved to be inadequate to accommodate the mortal remains of those who died due to the scorching heatwave that has taken the city into its fold. It is, indeed, encouraging to note that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has issued directives to the provincial administration to take immediate cognisance of the deteriorating Karachi situation. He has asked those at the helm in the administration to take immediate and tangible measures to alleviate the suffering of the people and provide them the relief that they so badly need. While taking the concerns expressed by the prime minister on a positive note, it wouldn’t be inappropriate to assert that adhoc measures may provide temporary relief to the people but they certainly cannot assure their sustained wellbeing. The people of Karachi deserve better treatment. They have every right to look towards a happy and peaceful life. Why is this currently not possible? After all, their city is contributing around 70 per cent of the total revenue generated in the country every year.
M Fazal Elahi
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2015.
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