Salahuddin Haider
Karachi, the mega-city of 22 million, once considered the Paris of Pakistan, is now shattered and ruined, wrecked, and devastated. However Prime Minister Imran Khan is due here during the week in a bid to turn the corner, but restoring its originality will need skillful handling.
As a man of integrity, honest and committed, determined to achieve the target he sets for himself, has already consulted experts on its re-construction and intends meeting all those interested in its improvement. Idea undoubtedly is laudable but consensus among stake holders, trust and confidence, in-fight between Centre and Southern province, will be foremost priority. The problem is so complex that step-by-step solutions alone can help achieve the desire result.
The age-old maxim that slow and steady wins the race is still very valid. Devolution of authority will be the first major step, for which name of a future administrator for the metropolitan corporation has already been suggested. But , if political wrangling and point scoring is resorted to, whose chances appear substantially bright, other options, will, automatically come into play.
Governor Imran Ismail, with his Punjab counterpart Chaudhri Ghulam Sarwar began a tour to the interior from Badin district, some distance away from Thatta district. The revenue engine for Pakistan, feeding upto 67 percent to Centre’s finances, and an overwhelming 97 percent for Sindh’s interior, is itself in dire straits. Pakistan’s economy, heavily indebted, swarmed by locusts, and struck by record rain fall, sent the situation out of control.
The task, therefore, is daunting, but human endeavour and power to swim through strongest of storms, is one virtue that if utilized properly, can help overcome mightiest of issues. Imran ,according to reports from Islamabad, has done his home work. However, Peoples Party, which reportedly keen on appointing Murtaza Wahab as KMC administrator for the period till new local government elections are held anew, will have to convinced to show wisdom at this critical juncture. Peoples’ welfare should be the motto at this stage, which could easily be served by keeping larger interest about minor political benefits.
Hopefully Imran will be able to achieve that also, for, he has already spoken to Sindh chief minister Murad Ali Shah about his ideas to solve Karachi’s problems on a priority basis. The latter looked happy at the premier’s telephonic talk, and given the goodwill on both sides, a solution will be found without much ado.
During stay in Karachi, likely to take place on Friday, will also consult his coalition allies. MQM and GDA of Pir Pagara, hopefully, will understand the sensitivity of the situation. They surely, would want simultaneous solutions to rural and urban Sindh both, which Imran too is keen to address
Apart from the heavy death toll, the heavy downpour in August, has not only shaken to the hilt Karachi’s infra-structure, but in came the power breakdown for nearly five days. It affected posh areas of Defence, cantonment boards ( and they are eight of them between Hotel Metropole to Share Faisal). Their residents and commercial areas too suffered immeasurably so much so that the Supreme Court had to take sou motto action, and order K-Electric to set its house in order as a private entity. K-E, according to chief justice of Pakistan, cannot look to, or hope for government assistance in such situations. It had to make its own arrangements to clear the inundated areas from sub-stations. Even NEPRA took a serious view of it, and fined the utility Rs 20 crore for failing to address the problem the way it was required to do. Governor Is mail too agreed that K-Electric had to improve its working.
Given the goodwill and the eagerness to handle the situation satisfactorily, and also guard against future failures, the results, if not 100 percent, upto a great extent, can be resolved and residents could spend time in some relief atleast.
It had been announced that the Prime Minister has plans to give a new shape to Karachi problems, through careful planning of its infrastructures, which he will announce during his Karachi visit. Hopefully that will restore confidence of the people in federal government’s ability to ensure their welfare.
