Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Munim Zafar Khan, alongside Liaquatabad Town Chairman FarazHaseeb, inaugurated the Siraj-ud-Daula Urban Forest in Union Committee No. 2, Sharifabad. During the event, which included Vice Town Chairman IshaqTaimori, Khan strongly criticized the Sindh government, accusing it of obstructing the development and environmental progress of Karachi. Khan blamed the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government, the local government minister, and the city’s mayor for seizing control of all Karachi institutions and failing to decentralize power as per Article 140-A of the Constitution.
He lamented that, despite receiving substantial funds under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, the Sindh government has withheld resources from Karachi. Khan pointed out that under the 18th Amendment, powers and resources were transferred to the provinces. However, Sindh’s share in the NFC Award has grown from Rs 78 billion to Rs 1,800 billion over the past 14 years, yet Karachi has not received its rightful share.
He criticized the Sindh government for failing to implement the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) Award and for neglecting key services such as waste management and water supply. According to Khan, the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board and Water and Sewerage Corporation—both under the Sindh government’s control—have failed in their responsibilities, leaving Karachi in disarray. “We are with the people of Karachi, and we will continue to struggle until these issues are resolved,” Khan vowed. He further demanded the devolution of powers to the grassroots level, enabling towns and union councils to function effectively. Munem Zafar Khan lauded the efforts of the Liaquatabad Town team, which transformed what was once a garbage dump outside Siraj-ud-Daula into an urban forest.
The town has also established a plant nursery as part of the effort to make Liaquatabad greener. Khan highlighted that planting trees today will provide shade tomorrow, improving both the environment and the quality of life in the city. He called for a city-wide tree plantation drive to combat issues such as water and electricity shortages, sewage problems, and the growing number of waste dumps. Referring to the deadly heatwaves of 2016, Khan warned that Karachi’s rising temperatures and the loss of green spaces could lead to even more dire consequences if action isn’t taken. Khan lamented that Karachi, once known for its vibrancy, has been reduced to a concrete jungle. High-rise buildings have replaced trees, and the city’s environment continues to deteriorate.
He held the PPP responsible for the destruction of Karachi and rural Sindh over the past 16 years, stressing that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the city’s mayor must work to restore the environmental balance. Khan stated that Jamaat-e-Islami has control of nine towns in Karachi and has inaugurated over 100 parks in the last 10 months. “Now, we are moving towards building urban forests,” he said, underscoring the party’s commitment to restoring Karachi’s green spaces. Liaquatabad Town Chairman FarazHaseeb also spoke at the event, assuring residents that the town’s journey towards development and greening will continue. He promised that the residents of Liaquatabad would not be disappointed, vowing to work beyond the current powers of his office and to push for additional authority to bring relief to the people. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Municipal Commissioner Darya Khan Patafi, Director of Parks RehanHamdani, Area Nazim Masood Ahmed, principals of Science and Arts College, Irfan Ahmed Bokhari and Irfan Ahmed, Karachi Information Secretary Zahid Askari, and Liaquatabad Town Director of Information Faheem Mustafa.
