Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sindh Assembly member, Muhammad Farooq, has called for the transfer of powers to local government representatives under Article 140-A of the Constitution. During the assembly session, he emphasized the need for political, administrative, and financial authority to be handed over to local bodies, enabling them to address public issues effectively.
Farooq criticized the Sindh government, particularly the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), for not delegating powers to its own town chairpersons, let alone opposition members from Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He highlighted that Karachi has 25 towns, of which 13 are controlled by the PPP, yet the provincial government has been reluctant to transfer authority to any of the town leaders.
He further pointed out that essential services like waste management, water supply, sewage systems, and road maintenance are all under the control of the provincial government. The Sindh Solid Waste Management Board and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, both operating under provincial jurisdiction, have failed to effectively manage these services. Farooq noted that Karachi’s streets are in disrepair and often resemble open sewage drains due to the lack of local authority over these matters. He also criticized the appointment of Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab as the head of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation without giving full powers to local bodies.
Additionally, he mentioned that last year, seven children lost their lives due to open manholes, a responsibility of the Water and Sewerage Corporation, which further highlights the incompetence of the provincial government’s centralized control. Farooq urged that local representatives be granted their rightful powers in accordance with the Constitution, allowing them to work effectively for the welfare of Karachi’s residents.
