NA-254: MQM has been a traditional winner in Korangi constituency
Residents complain their demands are ignored since they are from low-income backgrounds.
Other political parties have given up on this constituency since long but the new comers in the political arena have their eyes set on this part of the port city. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
If there is one constituency in Karachi where the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has an undisputed majority, it is NA-254 where the party has been winning since 1988.
This constituency comprises nearly two dozen impoverished neighbourhoods in Korangi located along the industrial estate, and dotted by seminaries - whose presence may tilt the votes this time around. Other political parties have given up on this constituency since long but the new comers in the political arena have their eyes set on this part of the port city.
The presence of the MQM is, as expected, everywhere. Deep inside the town, in the congested lanes of Zia Colony, the walls are filled with party banners and freshly sown party flags adorn every house and shop.
Constituency & Candidates
There is, however, a large garbage dump, which has not been cleaned for months. “No one has picked up garbage for six months,” said Asad Abbas, a resident as he took a stroll around the area. “The municipal authorities know we can’t do anything. They know we are sweepers and factory workers by profession, so they simply ignore our requests.”
Similar to the rest of the city, this constituency also has its fair share of broken roads, street crimes, and absence of line water, schools and hospitals. Over the years, poverty and unplanned urbanisation has worsened the situation. These dismal living conditions should have forced the residents to actively seek a massive political change but there is hardly any debate. Most men it seems hardly care about who represents them in the assemblies.
“Every time before the elections, various political parties come to seek our vote, but that is the only time we see them on our streets,” admitted a man, huddled on a charpoy with some other neighbours in alNoor Town. “For the next five years, there is filth and sewage all around here.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2013.
If there is one constituency in Karachi where the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has an undisputed majority, it is NA-254 where the party has been winning since 1988.
This constituency comprises nearly two dozen impoverished neighbourhoods in Korangi located along the industrial estate, and dotted by seminaries - whose presence may tilt the votes this time around. Other political parties have given up on this constituency since long but the new comers in the political arena have their eyes set on this part of the port city.
The presence of the MQM is, as expected, everywhere. Deep inside the town, in the congested lanes of Zia Colony, the walls are filled with party banners and freshly sown party flags adorn every house and shop.
Constituency & Candidates
Constituent Areas
Mehran Town, Bilal Colony, Korangi Sector 33, Korangi Sector 34, Double Road Area 9000, Gulzar Colony, Nasir Colony, Allahwala Town, Qayyumabad, Zia Colony, Korangi Sector 32-A&C, Chakra Goth, Mustafa Taj Colony, Hashrat Mohani Colony, Korangi Sector-51/L & 51/E, 100 Qrts, Korangi Sector-50/A, 50/C, 48/E and 48/F, Silver Town, Korangi Sector 48/B, Korangi Cantonment.
There is, however, a large garbage dump, which has not been cleaned for months. “No one has picked up garbage for six months,” said Asad Abbas, a resident as he took a stroll around the area. “The municipal authorities know we can’t do anything. They know we are sweepers and factory workers by profession, so they simply ignore our requests.”
Similar to the rest of the city, this constituency also has its fair share of broken roads, street crimes, and absence of line water, schools and hospitals. Over the years, poverty and unplanned urbanisation has worsened the situation. These dismal living conditions should have forced the residents to actively seek a massive political change but there is hardly any debate. Most men it seems hardly care about who represents them in the assemblies.
“Every time before the elections, various political parties come to seek our vote, but that is the only time we see them on our streets,” admitted a man, huddled on a charpoy with some other neighbours in alNoor Town. “For the next five years, there is filth and sewage all around here.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2013.