Karachi’ prosperity rooted in empowered city government: Hafiz Naeemur Rehman

5گھنٹے پہلے

Karachi’ prosperity rooted in empowered city government: Hafiz Naeemur Rehman
Questions why MQM did not push for provincial status for Karachi when it held significant authority
Says JI demand for empowered LG not limited to Karachi but across country

KARACH: FEBRUARY 27: Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has reiterated that the only solution to Karachi’s problems is to grant the city a fully empowered local government.
The JI supreme leader was addressing a public gathering and Iftar dinner under the “Jeenay Do Karachi” campaign at Disco Morr in Orangi Town, here on Friday.
Hafiz Naeem said that his party’s demand for empowered local governments was not limited to Karachi but extended to all cities across Sindh.
He called on the establishment to respect the public mandate instead of supporting “thieves, robbers, feudal lords and landlords.” He criticized the provincial government for refusing to devolve powers to elected local representatives, including in nine towns where JI runs the affairs.
He questioned the role of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), asking why the party did not push for provincial status for Karachi during the tenure of former president Pervez Musharraf, when it held significant authority. He said that both MQM and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were responsible for depriving Karachi’s residents of water and electricity and pushing the city toward decline.
Terming PPP a “Karachi-hostile party,” he claimed it was dominated by a single family and a handful of feudal elites who wanted to turn Karachi into “Mohenjo-Daro.” He further said that individuals who once lived modestly had built large malls in Dubai while failing to serve the people of Orangi.
Hafiz Naeem stated that Karachi generates 42 percent of the country’s taxes and 54 percent of its revenue but does not receive its due share. He added that despite JI winning what he described as a historic mandate in Orangi Town during the local government elections, six union councils remain under dispute in the Supreme Court. He said that if JI had its elected town chairman in Orangi, development work would have progressed as it has in other towns.
Addressing regional matters, he said that war between Pakistan and Afghanistan would not serve the interests of either country and urged the Afghan government not to act at India’s behest. He called for peaceful resolution of disputes and an end to conflict among Muslim nations.
JI leader Monem Zafar emphasized that elected local representatives must be granted authority to ensure provision of electricity, water and other essential services. He described it as tragic that residents were being deprived of their basic right to live with dignity.
JI district head Madassar Hussain Ansari said that the holy month teaches believers to stand firm against corrupt and incompetent rulers. He alleged that despite significant development work in nine JI-administered towns, no progress had been made in Orangi Town over the past three years under what he termed an “occupied” town chairman.