Pakistan

'Average level' chief ministers cannot run administrative affairs: Fawad

Federal minister says post-rain situation of Karachi once again highlighted importance of strong local government

APP August 28, 2020

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain. PHOTO: PID/FILE

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Friday said the conventional provincial administrations cannot run the administrative affairs especially when the chief ministers are of "average level".

“If there are no civic facilities, the police system is ruined, education and health systems are not satisfactory, then the reason is non-performance of the provincial governments,” he said while emphasising that the political parties need to think.

In a series of tweets, the former information minister said the post-rain situation of Karachi once again highlighted the importance of the strong local government system.

کراچی میں بارش کے بعد پیدا ہونیوالی صورتحال نے ایک بار پھر مضبوط مقامی حکومتوں کے نظام کی اہمیت کو اجاگر کیا ہے، 22 کروڑ کی آبادی کے اس ملک کو 1935میں بنائے گئے نظام کے تحت نہیں چلایا جا سکتا، وسائل اور ایک اھل آرگنائزیشنل نیٹ ورک جو مقامی ضروریات اور مسائل کو سمجھتا ہو
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) August 28, 2020

The country comprising over 220 million of the population cannot be run according to the system created in 1935.

روائتی صوبائ انتظامیہ خصوصاً جب وزرا اعلیٰ اوسط درجے کے ہوں انتظامی معاملات نہیں چلا سکتے، آج اگر شہری سہولتیں نہیں ہیں، پولیس کا نظام تباہ ہے، تعلیم اور صحت کا نظام تسلی بخش نہیں ہے تو مسئلہ صوبائ حکومتوں کی نان پرفارمنس ہے۔ اس لئے سیاسی جماعتوں کو سوچنے کی ضرورت ہے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) August 28, 2020

He said resources and a competent organisational network that understands the local problems and needs is need of the hour.

The statement comes a day after Karachi witnessed record-breaking 230mm rain, causing urban flooding in many areas and highlighting the inefficient governance in the financial hub of the country.

At least 23 people were killed in rain-related incidents, including drowning, structural collapse, electrocution and other mishaps, in Karachi on Thursday.

More than 500mm of rain had fallen this month, 230mm on Thursday alone, according to the Met office.

The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) has predicted another spell of heavy rainfall and thunderstorm in Sindh including the port city from Saturday to Monday.

It warned that the heavy rainfall could aggravate existing urban flooding and waterlogging in lower Sindh including Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Mirpurkhas and Badin.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM NEWS DESK