NA-229 Malir struggles with poverty

Lack of infrastructure, healthcare, electricity, educational institutions, employment opportunities

KARACHI:

The NA-229 constituency represents the first seat of Karachi division and the Malir district, but it struggles with persistent issues, including poverty and inadequate infrastructure.

Despite hosting large industries, car manufacturing plants, and Port Qasim, the country's second-largest port, the constituency presents a myriad of problems affecting its inhabitants.

This constituency blends modern societies with numerous villages, housing a population of 813,229 people, with only 29 per cent registered as voters. Among the 232,437 total voters, there are 130,166 males and 102,271 females.

Competing in NA-229 are 15 candidates, including PPP's Jam Abdul Karim Bajar, PML-N's Qadir Bakhsh, MQM-Pakistan's Fauzia Hameed, ANP's Sajid Mehmood, Jamaat-e-Islami's Mumtaz Hussain, TLP's Muhammad Ejaz, Markazi Muslim League's Abdul Rahim, and PTI candidate Wali Muhammad. Independents Bakht Amin Shah, Shazia Sabohi, Shahid Hussain, Sher Muhammad, Iram Wahab Butt, Junaid Anwar, and Farooq Khan are also in the race.

Despite hosting significant industrial establishments, NA-229 portrays a scene of poverty, and even with major universities in the vicinity, lacks a government university.

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The constituency has witnessed success in leading residential projects but faces challenges when it comes to government projects, including a Malir Development Authority's residential project, which remains incomplete even after 22 years. The closure of Pakistan Steel Mills, the largest government-owned steel mill, further adds to the economic struggles of the area.

Traditionally a stronghold of PPP, NA-229 encompasses Bin Qasim Sub-Division, Gadap Sub-Division, Shah Murid Sub-Division, Pipri, Ghagghar, Bakran, Jorejo, Koterio, Mattha Ghar, Abdullah Goth, Shafi Goth, Ismail Goth, Razzaqabad, Steel Town, Gulshan Hadeed, Dur Muhammad Goth, Deh Darsano Channo, Deh Konkar, Khanto, Thaddo, Turi, and other areas, making it the only constituency in Karachi where large-scale farming takes place.

Despite hosting major industries, the lack of essential facilities, including a trauma center, a long-delayed 1,000-bed hospital, and inadequate infrastructure, remains a pressing concern for residents. Demands for improved internal roads, sewage systems, accessible healthcare, electricity, educational institutions, and employment opportunities remain the challenges faced by the residents of NA-229.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2024.