The anguished cries of the residents of Karachi have finally been heard by those who give voice to the voiceless. The city has long remained preferably unheard. Not anymore.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that it will launch a two-week cleanliness drive in Karachi from August 4. The campaign is being launched on the instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Azhar Laghari, the PTI’s provincial head of public relations, said the party planned to utilise the funds allocated by the federal government for Karachi. He said the PM had especially allocated Rs42.2 billion for Karachi.
People from various walks of life, including those from trade, industry, showbiz and men of letters, have extended their whole-hearted support to the much-needed cleanliness drive.
More than 15 private companies, celebrities and around 5,000 volunteers have pledged their support for the campaign on the call of Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Minister for Maritime Affairs. The drive is being launched on the instructions of the prime minister in response to the letter written to him by Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar.
On July 30, the mayor sought Zaidi’s help as most of the city’s low-lying areas have been facing the problem of water-logging after the recent rains. The rains cannot be described as heavy but even this kind of downpour played havoc in the financial and commercial hub of the country.
This occurred mainly due to choked stormwater drains. What happened in the aftermath of the rains in Karachi and Hyderabad was only expected. Years of complacency on the part of the Sindh government has resulted in immense problems for the people.
After having been tired of the continued inaction of the provincial government, PTI leaders and volunteers have decided to make Karachi clean again. The Karachi Port Trust has already started to remove garbage within its jurisdiction. K-Electric also has extended support to the cleanliness drive.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2019.
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