Unfulfilled pledges

Right now the Karachi Transformation Plan is only crawling ahead


April 21, 2021

In the wake of the August 2020 monsoon devastation in Karachi, the PTI-led federal government and the PPP’s Sindh government had pledged to collaborate with each other “for the sake of ridding the long-neglected mega city of its myriad problems”, leaving their respective political considerations aside. Hence came the “unprecedented” Rs1.1 trillion development package aimed at transforming the country’s financial capital by building its civic and communications infrastructure, in a shambles for years, on modern lines. The package for what is called ‘Karachi Transformation Plan’ was announced on September 5, 2020 by Prime Minister Imran Khan himself, declaring that the governments at the Centre and in Sindh province had decided to deal with Karachi’s problems “together”.

However, political expediency was soon at play – as already predicted by many. The pledges of coordination and collaboration fizzled out in a couple of months. Right now the Karachi Transformation Plan is only crawling ahead, as the vital element of togetherness is sadly missing. Each side blames the other for non-cooperation and thus for the sufferings of the people. Last week, the two sides were again at their bickering best during the Prime Minister’s visit to Sukkur where he unveiled a “historic” Rs446 billion development package to launch various projects – concerning power supply, irrigation, sports and communication – in backward areas of Sindh.

In a swipe at the PPP, the PM likened the province with the ruins of Moenjodaro. The taunt, however, did not go unanswered. Murtaza Wahab, the Sindh government’s spokesperson, reminded the PM of the various “pending” packages and schemes he had “similarly” announced for Karachi, Hyderabad and Thar. This prompted Asad Umar, the federal minister, to get into the act along with the PTI version. And the war of words continues. So does the people’s wait for the promises of the leaders to come good.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2021.

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