Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has demanded an authoritative local government for Karachi, to head all institutions and bodies in the city.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, he announced the launch of a 'Karachi Rights Movement,' by his party, adding that a "historic march" would be held on September 27, 2020, at Sharae Quaideen.
The Rs1,100 billion package announced by the premier is vague in terms of providing relief as there is no mention of how the rulers will implement it, he said.
He rejected the Sindh Local Bodies Act (SLBA) and called for the cancellation of the cantonment boards, Karachi Port Trust, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and other agencies in the name of land control under the act. "The SLBA should be replaced with new laws under which Karachi should be given the status of a mega metropolitan city," said Rehman.
He demanded for an accurate census to ascertain the actual population of the city and a fair distribution of resources, and that the quota system be annulled with merit being the criteria for government jobs.
Besides, free and fair local government elections in the city, which he said is in this state because of negligence and incompetence of the current leadership.
According to Rehman, the past federal governments of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, and the local government of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan are to blame for the current state of the city. The performance of the current Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government is an open secret, he added.
Even two weeks after the rainfall, the city's plight is visible for everyone to see, he said, adding that the condition from Surjani Town to Defence Housing Society is evident. The authorities only took notice of the problems once they got worse, he opined.
Rehman also called for compensation for citizens and traders who sustained losses in rain-related incidents. "All utility bills should be waived for them, and they should be given relief in taxes as well."
He further demanded a 15-year forensic audit of the K-Electric, and nationalisation of the power utility company.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2020.
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