Zaman claimed that a certain political party has hijacked the water board by appointing its people, who do not bother to obey the orders issued by the managing director, or local minister. PHOTO: FILE
At a news conference at Karachi Press Club, MPA Khurram Sher Zaman threatened the party will stage a hunger strike if the issue is not resolved. Zaman claimed that a certain political party has hijacked the water board by appointing its people, who do not bother to obey the orders issued by the managing director or the local government minister.
“Despite several meetings and complaints lodged with the managing director of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and the local government minister, Sharjeel Memon, the issue has yet to be resolved,” complained Zaman. “I have highlighted this issue on the floor of the provincial assembly but to no avail.” The party is giving the authorities one week to fix the water shortage, after which the hunger strike will begin, he warned.
Zaman felt the water crisis is a form of political victimisation. “Soon after the PTI won the polls from NA-250 and two provincial seats in DHA and Clifton, KWSB officials suspended water supply,” he claimed. “Our voters in posh areas can afford water tankers but it is difficult for the poor living in Shah Rasool and Hijrat colonies and upper Gizri.”
Zaman, who won the elections from PS-112, said he visited the people in his constituency and found out how frustrated people were since the supply of drinking water was stopped. Piles of garbage are also littering every nook and cranny, he added.
“Everyone is referring me to the deputy superintendent engineer for distribution, who has been on the post for the last eight years, but he gives us lame excuses of water shortage and load-shedding,” said Zaman. He suggested the National Accountability Bureau start a probe against KWSB officials for creating “artificial” water shortages and allegedly giving illegal connections to water hydrants, service stations, marriage halls and factories, and purchasing luxury vehicles worth millions of rupees.
‘Newbie’ in politics
Zaman shared his concerns about the attitude of the ruling party members in Sindh Assembly. “For the past one year, I have pointed out dozens of problems being faced by our people but not a single one was resolved,” he said. When Zaman insisted, other ministers would dismiss him as a ‘newbie’ and tell him that he will learn the dynamics of politics with time.
May 11 protest
On PTI’s protest against rigging in the elections on May 11, Zaman said they will protest outside the provincial election commission building as well. “Our party and leadership do not want to derail the incumbent democratic government but want to record our protests,” he clarified. “PTI will be the first party to render sacrifices whenever it feels an emerging threat to the democratic process.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2014.
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