JI calls for Karachiites’ rights in Senate

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) ameer Sirajul Haq submitted a resolution comprising 13 demands for the rights of Karachi's citizens in the Senate on Monday.

The first and second demands call for giving Karachi's residents their rights immediately and spending at least 15 per cent of Karachi's revenue on the city. The resolution also seeks an end to the quota system and the provision of jobs in the metropolis to its residents on the basis of merit.

Furthermore, JI demanded immediate local government elections and the establishment of an authoritative local government system rather than the enforcement of the Sindh Local Government Act 2013. In addition to this, the number of union committees should be set in accordance with a population of 30 million, it said.

Besides, it called for giving Karachi the status of a mega-metropolis, while electing the mayor directly. Haq also sought a halt to K-Electric's 'corruption' in the name of load-shedding and over-billing, and ending its power distribution monopoly in the port city.

The resolution went on to demand the completion of all three phases of the K-IV bulk water project within a year as well as the completion of the S-III sewage project and repair of roads and infrastructure.

The provision of special facilities to promote trade and industry in the provincial capital and provision of electricity, water and gas as per the city's needs were demanded too, as were the improvement of education at government educational institutes and Karachi's transport system.

Moreover, JI sought the rectification of the police and judiciary, punishment for those involved in major crimes and establishment of 1,000-bedded hospitals in each city district. It further called for refunding citizens defrauded in housing scams and the provision of land and basic facilities to slum residents.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2020.