A result of negligence: ‘Sukkur is in ruins like Moen Jo Daro’

Sukkur Development Alliance launches newsletter to highlight city’s plight

SUKKUR: The third largest city of Sindh is in ruins, much like Moen Jo Daro, due to two decades of criminal negligence by elected representatives, claimed Sukkur Development Alliance (SDA) chairperson Jawed Memon at the launching ceremony of the SDA Newsletter on Monday.

“Sukkur has become a city of broken roads, spilt sewage, contaminated water, mushrooming encroachments and traffic jams,” he continued, adding that it was not only because of the negligence of officials but also of the misappropriation of funds of Rs20 billion. “Today, the residents of Sukkur, especially its women and children, do not have a place for recreation because the parks are in shambles and full of gamblers.”

Memon said that since the formation of the SDA in November 2014, the alliance had been working hard to draw the attention of the elected representatives to the dilapidated condition of the city.

“Many political, religious and social parties have joined hands for the welfare of the city and we are hopeful that the struggle will bear fruits,” he added. “We are not against any particular party or person; rather, we only want to draw their attention to the plight of the residents.”

Memon said that the SDA’s foremost demand was for a supply of potable water, followed by an improved drainage system, sanitation, streetlights, health and education. He further called for provision of parking areas, removal of encroachments and uninterrupted power and gas supplies. He added that the salaries of Sukkur Municipal Corporation employees, who had not been paid for 19 months, should also be disbursed.

Memon further said that the alliance also wanted a high-level inquiry into the misappropriation of funds in the name of development.

He stated that the newsletter would be sent to the prime minister, president, army chief,  chief justice of Pakistan, Sindh High Court chief justice, Sindh chief minister, Sindh governor and Sukkur’s elected representatives.

“Sukkur belongs to us and we are duty-bound to hand over a developed city with all basic facilities to the coming generations,” said Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan Sindh chapter president Mufti Muhammad Ibrahim Qadri, who was the chief guest at the newsletter launch. “I am hopeful that the government will come to the city’s rescue and save it from complete collapse.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2015.