'Politics of hatred' blamed for city's devastation

ANP calls for empowered local government, education reforms, transparent probe into plaza tragedy

KARACHI:

The Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh President Shahi Syed has said that politics driven by hatred, coupled with what he termed incompetent governance under the guise of a "system," has devastated Karachi.

In a statement, he said that hate-based politics has not only caused severe damage to the city but has also inflicted irreparable harm on Karachi's political and literary culture. He added that irresponsible and non-political statements against one another are continuously worsening the city's problems.

Shahi Syed stated that the people of Karachi are deprived of basic human necessities, while ruling parties remain busy in political point-scoring instead of resolving public issues. He said that discussions about handing Karachi over to the federal government are merely narrative-building, adding that the only real path to the city's development lies in establishing a strong and empowered local government system.

He emphasised that the Awami National Party is ready to carry out an organised political struggle alongside all stakeholders in the city to achieve an empowered local government structure.

He further said that Karachi's education system is on the verge of collapse, with young people roaming unemployed despite holding degrees. Merit, he said, has been replaced by favouritism and injustice, while the city offers neither employment opportunities nor a secure future for its youth.

Shahi Syed also demanded a transparent investigation into the Gul Plaza incident and called for immediate financial assistance for the victims.