-PTI, PPP & MQM-P form alliance to resolve Karachi’s issues
-Water shortage, rickety sewerage system & public transport issues were discussed
From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: A meeting of three major political stakeholders of Karachi – Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) – took place, wherein issues plaguing the port city were discussed.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Local Government and Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Education Minister Saeed Ghani, and Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar attended the meeting. Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar, Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi, and National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal were also in attendance.
Issues of potable water shortage, rickety sewerage system, and public transport came under discussion. The participants discussed working out a joint strategy to clean Karachi’s stormwater drains, develop civic infrastructure and remove encroachments.
The leaders of the three main political parties having stakes in Karachi also deliberated on uplift schemes. They lauded the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) role in cleaning main nullahs of the city.
The participants expressed concern over the city’s abysmal situation and agreed to work together for Karachi’s restoration to its former glory, economic progress, and resolution of all its problems.
The PPP, PTI and MQM-P leaders reached an agreement to push ahead with the megacity’s development by ironing out a joint strategy. Throughout the meeting, they put forth their proposals for Karachi’s development. They also talked about empowering local governments in the province.
It was decided in the meetings to form an advisory committee and a liaison committee to solve the metropolis’ problems.
MQM-P’s Aamir Khan in a tweet said that Karachi’s problems cannot be solved without giving full authority to its locals.
“The problem of Karachi cannot be solved until the local people have full authority. This will only be possible when new provinces are established across the country including Karachi,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sindh Information and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on Sunday welcomed the coalition of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) for the development and well-being of Karachi.
The minister in a statement said the three parties’ resolve to work together is good news for public.
Shah expressed the optimism that the parties’ coalition will prove to be an important milestone in Karachi’s development, adding some people harbouring enmity towards the megacity may not like this union.
Sindh, Karachi in particular, saw record development under the leadership of PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the minister claiming, welcoming those who have played role in the city’s development.
He lauded Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for taking matchless steps for the development of the metropolis.
A meeting of PPP, PTI, and MQM-P leaders took place in Karachi on Saturday wherein they discussed issues plaguing the port city.
Sources relayed Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Local Government and Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Education Minister Saeed Ghani, and Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar attended the meeting.
Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar, and Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi were also in attendance.
The participants expressed concern over the city’s abysmal situation and agreed to work together for Karachi’s restoration to its former glory, economic progress, and resolution of all its problems.
Earlier, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab confirmed on Sunday PPP, PTI, and MQM-P leaders formed a consultative committee to resolve Karachi’s issues during yesterday’s meeting in the port city.
In a statement, he said two rounds of talks between the Centre and the Sindh government have taken place. The committee comprises of three representatives each from the federal and provincial governments, he added.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi, and Minister for Information Technology Ameenul Haq will represent the Centre, while Sindh Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, and Education Minister Saeed Ghani the provincial government with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to head the committee.
Murtaza Wahab said issues facing the metropolis will get resolved once all parties will work together, adding the Sindh government has always been ready to work together with other parties for the development of the province.
He said this committee will help accelerate construction work on uplift schemes and ensure their completion on time besides removing hurdles in execution of development schemes in the province.
