Citizens tap into open courts to inform ministers of myriad issues troubling them

Assures steps would be taken for the provision of clean drinking water, improving healthcare facilities

KARACHI: Open courts were held in different areas of Karachi on Saturday, on the directives of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Attending an open court in Korangi District, Prisons Adviser Aijaz Jakhrani pledged to ask the CM to introduce a development package so as to redress the plethora of problems faced by the citizens in the district. Jakhrani was flanked by Deputy Commissioner Shehryar Memon, SSP Faisal Chachar and officials from Korangi District Municipal Corporation.

Speaking on the occasion, Jakhrani acknowledged that a comprehensive plan needed to be devised to resolve citizens' issues and assured that steps would be taken for the provision of clean drinking water, improving healthcare facilities and developing infrastructure and the development package.

Brain drain: Ten million Pakistanis out for greener pastures

The prisons adviser was also apprised of various difficulties faced by women at workplaces. Responding to these complaints, Jakhrani said that the Sindh government had fixed a seven per cent job quota for women in the public sector, adding that measures would be taken to increase their participation in the private sector. He further said that a vocational training college would also be established for females in the district.

Taking notice of the slow pace of construction of a medical college in Korangi, Jakharni instructed the relevant officials to ensure that the construction is completed as soon as possible and academic activities are initiated immediately following its completion.

He also addressed the growing menace of drugs in the area, directing Korangi SSP to take action against those involved in supplying drugs and submit a report.

At another court, set up in Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Public Library, in East District's Sachal Goth, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah discussed citizens' concerns pertaining to hygiene, education, health, drug dealing, land occupation, improper conduct of police and suspension of gas and electricity supply.

He assured the citizens that their issues would be looked into and resolved, particularly those pertaining to water and sewerage. He issued directives for Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to take immediate steps for redressing citizens' complaints. The local government minister said that all the problems he has been told about would be resolved, however, adding that it might take some time.

As the session proceeded, a citizen sprinkled petrol on himself and attempted to commit suicide on not being given a chance to speak. However, he was stopped by others present on the occasion and he later revealed that he attempted suicide as his house was razed during an anti-encroachment drive.

While he was appeased by the officials, who asked him to sit quietly, the minister maintained silence on the issue.

Policymakers fail to interact with citizens

Meanwhile, at another court, organised in Gulshan-e-Maymar, Central District, citizens apprised Sindh Agriculture Minister Muhammad Ismail Rahoo of myriad problems they have been facing and complained of District officials' negligence towards their issues. The minister was flanked by police officials and officials from the district administration.

Later, Rahoo said while talking to media personnel that the Sindh government planned to organise open courts in the province every month to bridge the communication gap between the authorities and the citizens. He also assured that strict action would be taken against officials found negligent of their duties.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2020.