Abdullah Hussain Haroon addresses the media on Tuesday. PHOTO: PPI
After over six months of meetings between social and political activists of the city and debates on various political, social, economic and civic issues, the Karachi Awami Ittehad (KAI) has finally announced its manifesto.
"There is no civic policy in Karachi and the city is in a critical condition," claimed KAI chief Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Pakistan's former ambassador to the United Nations. "There is no water in most areas. Its land is being occupied." He said that the new platform would strive to resolve basic issues being faced by the city. Haroon was addressing a press conference at his residence on Tuesday.
"The KAI has individuals from various political parties, civil society and concerned citizens of the city who wish to form a front to restore its march towards creating a progressive city and society," the manifesto declares.
The new front demands elimination of all kinds of extortion, target killings, kidnapping and the rule of terror from the city. It also states that the police have failed to perform their duties. "The police must gain the people's confidence and become a public service-oriented institution - not an institution of government repression," it demands.
The KAI has presented a remedial policy for a better police system in the city. The party's manifesto demands that the police department be under local government control and politicians should not interfere in the appointments and transfer affairs.
For the betterment of the economy, the KAI's manifesto stresses that all banks operating in the city must show in their annual balance sheet, the availability of at least 50 per cent of their Karachi-based deposits to finance the city's needs. "The trade route of Khokhrapar must be opened immediately to boost the economy of Karachi and the rest of Sindh," it demands.
"We will strive for the rights of the poor. The front has programmes for education, health and economy - the basic rights of the people," said Haroon. "It is focused towards the 'aam admi' [common man]."
He said that the KAI was preparing for the local government elections, adding that the front considered local polls the basic pillar of democracy. "We demand a census and ask the government not to give voting rights to foreigners."
Condemning the recent attacks on Hindu temples in different parts of the province, Haroon said that it was the government's responsibility to provide security to minorities.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2014.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ