‘Citizens must be part of national development process’

Karachi
Pakistanis were enthusiastic about the country’s development since the changes would eventually affect their individual and social decisions, said HANDS Chairman Prof Dr Abdul Ghaffar Billoo, at the organisation’s National Community Convention held on Thursday.
Speaking of the development programme ‘Vision 2025’ presented by the government of Pakistan, Prof Billoo expressed disappointment over the sidelining of citizens in the process of the development as their views remained unheeded.
The convention consisting of several community based organisations, leading philanthropists participated in the event.
The programme included discussions over various issues being confronted by CBOs while working on ground. Cultural songs and dances were also presented during the event. RAASTI a theatre group presented a play on the challenges that women faced in acquiring education whereas issues of Lyari, the most notorious area of Karachi, were highlighted through boxing, cycling, donkey-cart race and football matches. The event was attended by several distinguished parliamentarians including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz federal minister Abdul Hakeem Baloch, Senators Saeed Ghani, Taj Haider, Karim Khawaja from the Pakistan Peoples’ Party; Shahi Syed from Awami National Party; provincial health minister Jam Mehtab Dahar, senior education minister Nisar Ahmed Khoro, minister parliamentary affairs Dr Sikandar Mandhro and Ombudsman Sindh Syed Pir Ali Shah.