AS Karachi Transformation Plan (KTP) announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan is widely being hailed, there are distressing signals the initiative could become controversial due to claims and counter-claims of the federal and provincial governments about its ownership and other aspects of the plan. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar Sunday said the federal government will bear 62 percent of the total amount of Rs1,100 billion announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan for Karachi Transformation Plan (KTP), while the remaining 38% will be spent by the Sindh government. However, he regretted that PPP Chairperson was claiming the provincial government had major share in the KTP.
Karachi has long been in the need of a comprehensive plan to address problems of its residents which are complicating with the passage of time and improve its infrastructure that is under great stress due to rapid growth of its population and haphazard growth and expansion but the havoc played by recent rains and urban flooding have highlighted the urgency for announcement and execution of such a programme. Therefore, Karachiites heaved a sigh of relief when the Federal Government demonstrated its keen interest to help improve the situation. The interest of PTI in affairs of the city is also understandable as people of Karachi gave significant mandate to the party in 2018 general elections. It is immaterial who contributes what share as the primary concern should be deteriorating conditions of the city and how these should be checked and the process reversed. As Umar has rightly pointed out that the progress of Pakistan is linked with progress and development of Karachi, which is the economic hub of the country. If pace of economic activities picks up due to Karachi Transformation Plan, there is every reason for all parties to welcome the prospects and instead of indulging in useless claims and counter-claims contribute towards its early implementation wholeheartedly. All parties would benefit if problems of the people are redressed and the city is able to increase its share in overall economy of the country. It is ironical that many developmental projects become victim to fruitless debate on who owns them or who should implement them. Apart from KTP, this is happening in many cases all over the country including under the very nose of the Federal Government where work on two major (broken) bridges on Lehtrar Road could not begin for over a decade due to dispute between CDA and Punjab Highway Department. In the case of KTP, Sindh Government ought to feel satisfied if major burden is shared by the Federal Government allowing the authorities to spend the resources on other projects and programmes. It may also be pointed out that encroachments should be treated as encroachments and operation to clear nullahs should not suffer due to any short-sighted consideration.
