Parveen Rehman.
“I didn’t know Rehman but I knew of her work. I will not forget all the work the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) did for us back then,” recalls Khan, a resident of Orangi from 1992 to 2008. “It was the only organisation, which came to our help.”
Rehman, who preferred to stay behind the scenes, remained the driving force behind the OPP for years after joining them in 1983.
From the project’s office, she directed and coordinated work which spanned from low-cost housing schemes, rehabilitation of people displaced by floods in rural Sindh to recording encroachment of land in Karachi. The work that OPP carried out in the 1990s for the squatters, helping people build sanitation system, has been replicated across the country.
“This is something done entirely by the people,” Rehman had told The Express Tribune a few months ago. “No one from the government came forward to help them.”
Residents too remember the open conduits which carried sewerage before the OPP offered their help. “Filth used to be everywhere. Illnesses caused by contamination were common,” recalled Khan.
Most people couldn’t afford the construction of even a seven-foot-long pipeline to carry waste water from their homes to the gutter lines. “We had bought land from the government for just Rs20 per square yard. The homes were simple bare-bricked structures,” he said. “Now that I look back at all the work the Orangi Pilot Project did for us, I can tell you how people such as Rehman have played an important role for us.”
Empowering people with knowledge
The first sewerage system was built in Hanifabad in Orangi No. 1. “It took us six months to help build the sewerage system in just one lane. But gradually, the replication started,” said M Javed Ali, a manager at the OPP.
“At first we used to help the residents with everything - conducting surveys, making designs, tools, laying out cost estimates, technical assistance and supervision. But then people started doing it all by themselves, leaving us just the task of technical advice,” he elaborated. “We had imparted training to masons and labour workers from the area which helped everyone in the coming years.”
The real impact of the model started to emerge after four years as people started taking decisions themselves.
For basic facilities, such as sanitation and water, residents relied on local government institutions and union councils. The government remained, however, short on cash when it came to the development of colonies and settlements.
OPP’s initiative to motivate people to construct proper sanitation system on self-finance basis has been a success as more than a hundred settlements and areas have adopted it in Karachi with the help of the NGO’s technical experts.
Its model has been replicated in different neighbourhoods, such as Baloch Colony, alSadaf, Mominabad, Abro Colony, Khuda ki Basti, Korangi, Qazba and SITE. “At the start of the project in the 1990s, the system was being built for Rs625 per house. Now it costs Rs2,500 per house. A government agency will, however, build the same thing for 10 times more,” said an OPP employee.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2013.
COMMENTS (10)
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I have no words how to express my grief about the sudden death of Ms. Parveen Rehman, when i recall my past years when i was TRD working with Zaffar Junejo Sahib, at that time we were the partners of OPP in the context of our credit programme with the support of OPP. and she often came in the meetings and conduct sessions on the CPI schemes and trained the staff members of their partner organizations.
she is no more with us but her work and accomplishments remain and appriciated by the her friends and followers.
The sketch of Parveen Rehman is excellent, my compliments to the artist. Express Tribune should always acknowledge the works of its artists.
@ Riaz Khan, We are indeed pathetic. Most pathetic. It is amazing that even one person, an ordinary simple person can make so much difference. Parveen Rehman did what she wanted to do, and she gave her life to the cause. Her work, her life, has impacted the lives of many thousands. This is her contribution, now the people she has impacted will pass on the good work that she has done to their children and grand children. This is indeed a great contribution, especially in our society our country. I hope what she and her fellow workers have been doing will continue, in other parts of the city, in other parts of the country. What she did has a lot of down to earth practical use. What she did should be taught in architectural, civil engineering, environmental, courses, down to earth, hands on courses. Her work and her contribution should be recognized by the Institute of Architects, at the very least. Ordinary people, students, professionals, should come forth, to improve the many many Orangi situations in our country. We only need the will. Parveen had this will, we do not, that is the big difference.
A human being in real sence had been murdered in broad day light.
She served humanity. That is what she has done in this cruel world.
I recommend to the government to award the highest civil award.
I have many times been in her lectures on Orangi Town Project. She was a humble and down to earth lady.
People of Karachi will ever miss her in the times to come.
For me, she was as dearer as my real sister. May Al-Mighty Allah rest her soul in peace. Ameen.
Rest in peace Ma'm. Condolences to the family as well as those whom she served so selflessly.
Parveen Rahman (late) deserves the highest civilian award Pakistan can give. She benefits to the citizens of Karachi will be remembered with love and entreaty for a long time.
Her killers must be knowing that a Muslim prayer consists of supplications to Allah Almighty to shower His blessings and peace on the Prophets (peace be on all of them), our parents and teachers (ustads).
Her thankless killers must be windering in their 'hearts of hearts,' why did we kill her? Salams
another victim of our political land grabbing mafia.
My sincerest condolences to all sane Pakistanis on the loss of this wonderful human being from amongst their midst.
She also did research work on how some Govt land and parks were being occupied by some groups. Those militant groups might have considered her as threat.
Cannot find words to express my grief & sadness on the brutal death of Ms. Rahman! We are surely worst than animals since they only kill when they are hungry whereas we are killing those who are helping the humanity & poor. We surely are very pathetic lot!