Local Government laws
Through your esteemed columns, I invite the kind attention of the authorities and your prestigious readers towards Quaid-i-Azam’s vision in respect of the functioning of Karachi Civic Authority.
It was reported by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that the governments of Sindh and Balochistan have sought time for improvement of their local government laws. ECP has granted them 15 days’ time to do so.
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in his reply to the civic address presented to him by Mayor, city of Karachi on 25 August 1947; I quote it so that the provincial governments may perceive guidance from the noble vision of the father of the nation.
Quaid-i-Azam said, Quote “For all freedom — loving people, Karachi will on that account not only be symbol of special significance but will occupy a place in history for which there is no parallel, and I feel it my good fortune that I have the honour to be the first to receive this Civic Address.
Karachi is no ordinary town. Nature has given it exceptional advantages, which particularly suit modern needs and conditions.
That is why starting from humble beginnings it has come to be what it is, and one could say with confidence that the day is not far hence when it will be ranked amongst the first cities of the world. Not only its airports, but also the naval port and also the main town will be amongst the finest.
There is one especially pleasing feature about Karachi —while most of the big cities are crowded and cramped with over towering structures, Karachi has large open spaces and hill station style roofs which give to the visitor a feeling of space and ease.
It has also got the advantage of a salubrious climate and is always blessed with healthy and cool breezes throughout the year.
I visualize a great future for Karachi —it always had immense potentialities. Now with the establishment of Pakistan’s Capital here and the arrival of Pakistan Government and its personnel and the consequent influx of trade, industry and business, immense opportunities have opened out for it.
So let us all strive together to make this beautiful town a great metropolis, a centre of trade, industry and commerce and a seat of learning and culture.
The responsibilities of Karachi and its Corporation have increased along with its importance. I hope that the Corporation will prove equal to the task.
There would be an extra strain on all phases of Corporation activities, but under the wise and able guidance of the city fathers, and with the co-operation of all the citizens, this would be, I trust, borne with alacrity and willingness.
The help of the Government, I feel, will be available in your difficulties and problems and I am sure that the authorities concerned will in time deal appropriately with the question of power and status of the Corporation.
Karachi already has, as its citizens, people from all parts of Pakistan and Hindustan. They will all live here together like true citizens and devote their energies to and avail themselves of the great opportunities that present themselves to us all to build up and reconstruct Pakistan in a manner which will command the respect of sister nations and find a place of honour along with great nations of the world as an equal.” Unquote.
The Quaid was of the firm opinion that the expansion of Karachi should be horizontal instead of vertical. It has importance even today rather more than yesterday.
Quaid did not like ‘towering structures’. Today, the infrastructure available in the metropolis does not cater to the social and environmental requirements of the city of the Quaid.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Karachi.
