On a trip to Karachi during the summer monsoon season 2019 the Federal Government
made loud promises about cleaning up Karachi (and its drains) within one week. To
add substance to the claims the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and the
Pakistan Rangers, both branches of the powerful military establishment, were handed
the task. The Federal
Minister for Ports and Shipping was appointed to handle the task and, as
with the PML-Ns ‘law and order’ clean up initiated in 2013 – the Federal
Government was prepared to go it alone if the efforts were not supported by the
provincial and civic authorities.
Yet
another public
fund (remember the Dam Fund?) was created to solicit public donations to
help pay for Karachi’s cleaning. One supposes charitable funds are required for
this essential civic service because not
enough taxes are collected by the authorities in Karachi? Not.
 |
| The Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) building. The KMC is one of the several governmental agencies responsible for Karachi's current state of civic neglect. (Photo: Wikipedia) |
One
year later – monsoon season 2020 - Karachites are reminded they live in Pakistan's
largest orphan city. City roads are streams inundated with various blends of
sewage and rain water – clean drinking water is an unrealistic dream not worth
mentioning.
In
other words, no substantial improvements have been made during the last twelve
months. Additionally, there has been no accountability at any level neither for
the civic lapses nor for the millions collected in donations by the 2019 Clean Karachi
campaign.
As
if on cue, accusations of blame regarding inaction and lack of preparedness are
being hurled. These accusations are closely followed by tall claims
about immediate action including by the Prime Minister himself, i.e.
political grand standing.
While
the city (MQM), provincial (PPP) and federal (PTI) governments' fight
for supremacy over the goose that lays golden (revenue) eggs, ordinary
Karachites continue to suffer. Karachites don't care which political party,
e.g. ANP, MQM, PML-N, PPP or PTI, fixes their city. People simply want the
political leadership to stop bickering and take action.
Pakistan’s
leadership must ask itself if Pakistan can progress while its economic heart
and largest city is mired in civic despair.
A
listless Karachi places a glass ceiling on Pakistan’s development while a
vibrant Karachi acts as a catalyst for national growth.
Conclusion:
Karachites wait patiently for monsoon 2021 when, in all likelihood, they will
again wake to urban flooding. The flooding will automatically be followed initially
by finger pointing and subsequently by dramatic promises from politicians (and ‘non-political’
military men) of renewed efforts to clean Karachi. Ironically, while Karachi
waits for monsoon 2021 the city will return to its usual water shortages and the
water mafia.
__________________
Imran is a Singapore based Tour Guide with a special interest in
arts and history. Imran has lived and worked in several countries during his
past career as an international banker. He enjoys traveling, especially by
train, as a way to feed his curiosity about the world and nurture his interest
in photography. He
is available on Instagram (@imranahmedsg); twitter (@grandmoofti) and can be
contacted at imran.ahmed.sg@gmail.com.
Posts
