AmeerJamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan, SirajulHaq has demanded of the caretaker Chief Minister Sindh MaqboolBaqar to devolve administrative and monetary powers to union councils in Karachi as per the sprit of the constitution. The JI supremo made the demand at a press conference held at Idara Noor-e-Haq — the JI Karachi headquarters, here on Thursday. He was flanked by JI Karachi AmeerEngr Hafiz NaeemurRehman and other leaders, including UsamaRazi and MunimZaffar. JI’s town chairmen and vice chairmen also attended the presser.
The JI chief said that caretaker CM Baqar enjoys a good fame, however he has not waved off the interim period to devolve powers to union councils as yet. Talking about the miseries of Karachi and Karachiites, he said that once a city of lights has now become an epitome of problems and crises. He quoted all the town chairmen present there as saying that water and sewerage crises have become the top issue of the city. He also highlighted the problems pertaining to infrastructure, road networks, violent street crimes, lawlessness, inflation and other issues.
He said that a mega city like Karachi needs some 35000 busses to cater its mass transit needs. He added that the Pakistan People Party government in Sindh had arranged just a hand full of busses to display them on multiple routes after decorating them with various colors.
The JI leader held the abuse of powers and usage of unconstitutional measures as modus operandi by the ruling elite responsible for all the prevailing crises. He said that the entire country was suffering from inflation and lawlessness. He said that unfortunately, people are elected in this country on the basis of capital they invest to mold the public opinion. As a result, he said, electable individuals prefer the politics of interests, instead of principles. Subsequently the ratio of poverty has propelled itself beyond 40 percent and nine million additional people are on the verge of slipping under the line of poverty, he said.
After a comparison of Pakistan to regional countries, he said that Islamabad’s economy was under sheer pressure despite the fact that there is no shortage of resources in the country. On the occasion, he demanded across the board accountability of those responsible for the miseries of the country. He further said that the interim government has been increasing inflation, petroleum products prices and electricity tariff since its inception.
He also shed light in detail on the issues of electricity production and demanded the interim government to quash all illegal agreements with all the 88 independent power producers immediately.
He further said that the JI has decided to approach the country’s top court in this regard. He further said that each electricity bill contains 48 percent amount of some 15 tax heads.
He further said that the interim government should focus on timely electricity, instead of serving the interest of the International Monetary Fund.
To a question, he said that the JI will contest the upcoming general elections with its own symbol and flag.
Talking about the interim government’s activism for privatization of the Pakistan International Airlines and other public sector entities, he said that privatization is not the solution to any problem.
