By: Asem Mustafa Awan
Where are the millions gone which were earmarked for Karachi? Who has the key to these lost millions? A question that will have many an answers but none of it will result in a conclusive report which will fix the responsibility as beat around the bush is the norm in ‘land of the pure’.
The political elite namely the city controllers, both Pakistan People’s Party and MutahiddaQaumi Movement, had their fingers in the pie, namely Karachi the financial hub and heart-throb of Pakistan.
The political elite namely the city controllers, both Pakistan People’s Party and Mutahidda Qaumi Movement, had their fingers in the pie, namely Karachi the financial hub and heart-throb of Pakistan
Years passed and Karachi faced one problem after the other but the solutions were never there.
The city had ethnic divide which was always given a spur when the political parties see it deemed fit and with sold out pseudo intellectuals there was always a mountain out of a mole hill. The right wingers, left wingers and wingers all made it a point scoring match against any effort that was carried out for the good of the city.
The problem with the city stayed there and got compounded, funds were collected and distributed ending in personal pockets and masses as always were left in the lurch.
The welfare concept missing from the central government and its associated paraphernalia in provincial and district set up is an eye opener for the world which looks in amazement as how the mega city is run with none taking responsibility.
A number of movies in Hollywood show the flooding and rescue efforts from authorities and no one is left behind but sadly in Pakistan it is the unfortunate dead body count which is likely to rise as the water subsides in coming days.
The gravity of situation is gauged from the fact that district government blamed the provincial government and provincial government shifted the blame on the federal government. The funds over the years were never discussed and no account was given of the money that was allocated in the budget now and before.
Where are those millions that have been given to Sindh government? A political graft to have the required votes to stay in power?Black mailing from politicians who switch sides following the direction of the tide, which in other words is following the cash flow.
Karachi is ruined and the sludge entered thousands of houses both rich and poor as no one had planned for the unforeseen. Everyone took the share of divine blessing ‘the rain’ as punishment as water made its course everywhere when it found no course due to manmade blockades. The low lying area was submerged as one of the housing society in Karachi blocked its pathway for selling their commercial and residential plots resulting in loss of lives. Will court look in to the lives lost due to rain?
Chief Justice earlier asked all aggrieved families of electrocuted victims to name K Electric chairman their First Investigation Reports. Will the same initiative be taken by the ‘august court’ for the drowned victims?
Life in Karachi at the fast lane never thought of changing the sides as slowing down results in losing money, power and clout.
The dirty play in politics have PPP disowning the people as they believe MQM owns Karachi as the residents of metropolis have been supporting it for a long time since its creation and PPP over the years have been reduced to the Sindh rural only.
However, the current scenario will have the city get back on its feet if petty politics for once are avoided and people welfare should get priority. Water made it course regardless of political affiliation and it affected all with every ethnicity.
PPP and MQM both can win the heart and soul of the people who have lost lives and material in the recent rain and the current government led by Imran Khan also wants all stake holders to sit at the table and devise a policy which should be for the people.
PPP and MQM should take this calamity to project their soft image among the Karachiites by showcasing their lost ability to better deal with crisis.
The government should also make efforts to bring opposition on table of dialogues for devising a permanent solution to the problems of Karachi. Prime Minister had said that the government was going to announce a permanent solution to the problems caused by floods by cleaning of nullahs, fixing of the sewage system and resolving the huge challenge of water supply to the people of Karachi.
Proper execution of such plans, collective efforts are imperative. For the sake of people all stakeholders should avoid political point scoring and should put their heads together to achieve long-lasting results.
Diplomacy is not only confined to states, its utility and significance must be fathomed at local level where ruling party can influence those, who it believes have been rejecting it. This diplomacy from top to bottom in its trickle-down effect can help achieve national level objectives to minimize the sense of deprivation from the masses.
The writer is Special Correspondent at The Dayspring