Relocation vs integration

The anti-encroachment and relocation campaign that the government so enthusiastically initiated in the guise of a romanticised idea of “Naya Pakistan” brought about a disruption in the socio-political fabric of the informal sector ¬– which is exponentially increasing due to the rapid rise in urbanisation. The main issue according to those in favour of the initiative is the ‘illegal occupation of private or state-owned land’. However, the fact that Karachi has seen excessive construction of high-rise buildings over the past few years by powerful developers who often times circumvent ‘environmental, legal and zoning concerns’ shows that the real issue stems from the thirst for power and hostility towards the ‘other’; and in the process informal settlements are demolished and lives are destroyed. It is important for those in power to understand the difference between those who live informally out of necessity and those who live illegally for personal benefit before tainting all such people as ‘land grabbers’.

Recently the top court acknowledged other stakeholders in the process of relocation when they directed federal and provincial governments to consult town planning professionals and city authorities before the relocation process. This is not enough, plain and simple. Urban planners, designers, researchers, authorities as well as the relocated community need to become active stakeholders in the process as city-wide implementation of this is a Herculean task. The government needs to meticulously find a way to legitimise the informal sector as it contributes to one-third of the total GDP. This will not only increase the tax base but also help economic growth in the long run. They also need to take into account that real lives are at stake. The diversity within Karachi proves that it is a city for all. Therefore, it is important to find a way to integrate these ghost communities into the city system. As it stands, the government neither has the money and resources, nor the time to continue with this taxing initiative it needs to evolve. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th, 2020.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.