I am Karachi: ‘Reclaim your city before it’s too late'

Jameel Yusuf claims govt has spent a lot of money on new buildings instead of renovating old ones

KARACHI: The city's diversity, according to Jameel Yusuf, the founding chief of the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), shows that it has the potential to change itself and grow faster.

Karachi has been on Yusuf's mind for a while. To him, the city and her residents are exemplary and he believes it is time to do something about it.

"They [Karachiites] have come to accept the fact that it is time to put things right themselves instead of relying on state-owned organisations," he said. "We need to reclaim our places, our spaces, our culture and city before it is too late." He added that this could be made possible through the 'I Am Karachi' campaign

Explaining how to revive the city's existing public spaces, to promote social and cultural activities and cement a positive image of the city, Yusuf claimed that the city's peace was in the minds and hands of the residents. "Around 50 NGOs have joined hands to promote and participate in the campaign," he said. "These NGOs are just a bridge to peace. We are here to help them through funds, administrations, to keep a check and balance and provide them with everything to makes this city what it deserves to be."



Discussing the need to reclaim the city, Yusuf said that they wanted to create a platform to increase interaction, collaboration and resources between the government and civil society. "The whole idea behind 'I Am Karachi' is to take small initiatives for a better life," he said. "The strength of this city lies in standing together as Karachiites, not by dividing into groups or sects." Explaining why Karachiites should own their city and infrastructure, he said that everyone should own the things we have been provided with. "If you burn a bus in any protest it eventually affects a common man's life," he said.

Owning your city

According to Yusuf, the government had spent a lot of money on new or replacing old buildings instead of renovating the old ones. "This is the right time to give back to the city what it has invested in us," he said. "We should step out and work towards better administration and functional systems at universities and hospitals." He added that time was an important factor in bringing about a change.

Yusuf claimed that it was important to understand that the political situation will keep changing and this should help people understand why they need to own their city. He hoped for the day when similar campaigns start in Hyderabad and Sukkur.

The campaign will prove to be sustainable. "Any initiative or campaign cannot be judged until it is sustainable," he said. "Two years is the initial time period in which the campaign needs to show its work and graph of success." He added that the residents of Karachi should not wait for others to help them but do it themselves.

"Force your elected representative to deliver," said Yusuf. "Make them realise their negligence by doing what they have not done and they were supposed to do."

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2015.