Shame on Sindh govt’ – These were the remarks on Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed on the performance of the provincial government whom he blamed on the destructions of Karachi.
The remarks were headlines by all leading news channels, raising questions over the performance of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government which has been ruling in Sindh for the past 13 years. Is the Sindh government really responsible for Karachi’s woes?
CJP’s remarks
Supreme Court conducted hearings on a case pertaining to encroachments around Gujjar Nullah, amenity plots, and the cleanliness drive in Karachi.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed expressed disappointment over the lack of cleanliness and proper infrastructure in Karachi that has turned the city into a giant heap of garbage
He observed that government should be ashamed that despite getting billions of rupees complains of not having any funds. The city is devoid of any proper infrastructure, open spaces, has broken roads and dangling electricity wires and been turned into a miserable situation, he remarked.
The top judge observed that the government should let other people serve the city if it could not provide any relief. The court observed that political disputes should not come in the way to resolve the problems of the people. During the proceedings, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan reprimanded the concerned authorities and said that the court cannot wait till the next budget to resolve the issues of the people.
Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed warned of allotting Chief Minister and Governor House to the affectees of Gujjar Nullah case. He warned the victims will erect tents outside these residencies if they are not rehabilitated. He said the entire Karachi is facing the issue of garbage and no one from the government side is trying to take any concrete step.
Concrete jungle
The destruction of Karachi is the result of the negligence and agencies and departments. The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), which the apex court has termed as the most corrupt institution, has spared no effort to turn the city into a concrete jungle.
The mushrooming of high-rise buildings on small plots can wreak havoc in the event of a disaster and risks millions of lives. Many multi-storey buildings have been built on 120 yards residential plots in Karachi and no area including the high-rise modern residential building Nasla Tower is free from illegal constructions.
The SBCA has given a free rein to builders and destroyed the city’s infrastructure and scenic look. Due to illegal constructions in the city, there are also water and sanitation problems. Karachi has been converted into a concrete jungle and is among the worst cities in the world to live in.
PPP vs MQM: Who is responsible?
The PPP is blamed for the destruction of Karachi as it has been in power in Sindh for the last 13 years As far as the destruction of Karachi is concerned, the PPP cannot be solely held responsible for it.
The MQM, which claims to represent Karachi, has remained in power in one way or another. In the previous PPP government, the MQM was an ally while Waseem Akhtar was the mayor.
He always lamented the lack of funds and authority but did not refrain from his privileges. The defunct Karachi Municipal Corporation managed to pay him funds for salaries and other perks. How was it possible to have a lack of funds for public issue affairs? The political tug-of-war deeply affected the people of Karachi.
Karachi was called the City of Lights but power struggles have brought the metropolis to the brink of disaster. The destruction of Karachi is the result of decades of negligence by all institutions and political parties.
The economic hub and highest revenue generator has been turned into a disaster under a pre-conceived conspiracy. All parties whether it’s the PPP or MQM are equally responsible for its destruction. Chief Justice of Pakistan is requested to take responsibility and punish those responsible for ruining the metropolis.
