Karachi administrator dismisses fuss over mushaira during financial crunch

Compared to what is spent on salaries, Rs1m is peanuts, says Mohammad Hussain Syed.

KARACHI: Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) stands behind its decision to organise an international Urdu mushaira for an entertainment starved city amid criticism it is spending money on such events but not paying its staff.

The hugely popular event, which has become an annual tradition, cost one million rupees to hold. The city has, however, come under fire for struggling to pay staff Rs720 million in salaries. KMC Administrator Muhammad Hussain Syed said he had no regrets on hosting the event since there was already a dearth of recreational activities for the public. “What is wrong with it?” he asked. “What is wrong with families coming to a mushaira for entertainment?” Hundreds of people, who may not be able to regularly afford entertainment outdoors, are able to attend the free poetry gathering that takes place at night. Entire families bring picnic food and cushions to make it a night.

The financial crunch, has, however, made this spending a bone of contention. To put it in perspective, hundreds of firemen and civic workers have taken to the streets since last month to demand their salaries. “We resolved the salary- related issues,” said Syed. “Compared to this amount, we only spent between Rs1 million and Rs2 million on each event. This is peanuts.”

Nonetheless, the employees said that they continue to face persistent delays in being paid. Syed Zulfiqar Shah, an official of the Municipal Workers Trade Union Alliance, said that March is coming to an end though workers were still waiting for their salaries from February. He also complained that the city was not putting money into other urgent projects, such as housing for its staff. He said that the residential blocks for KMC workers at Cement Lines were in desperate need for renovations. The plaster had peeled off the walls of the small flats and parts of the building have collapsed. “We have been waiting for years for the renovation of our apartments,” said Shah. “Every year, promises are made but nothing is done.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2012.