Nawaz in Karachi

With Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visiting Karachi a day after meeting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Raheel Sharif, the former was expected to discuss significant aspects of the issues faced by Karachi. Early media reports indicate that not only did the prime minister avoid discussing the city’s ever precarious law and order situation, it seemed like the only significant issue on his mind was the Green Line Rapid Transit System (GLRTS) promised for Karachi. With the fate of the Muttahida Quami Movement said to be among the issues discussed between the PM and COAS on Tuesday after recent allegations having emerged of the party receiving RAW funding, Nawaz Sharif appeared to have decided to steer clear of anything controversial during his short visit. The major decision taken was to grant the Sindh government Rs8 billion to start the GLRTS which is expected to have a capacity of 300,000 passenger trips per day on a 17.8 kilometre route. The project is set to cost Rs16 billion. The PM also discussed a number of water projects, including the K4 project. Sharif directed the Sindh government to complete the project within two years, with Rs10 billion as assistance from the federal government. The project is expected to double the water capacity of Karachi, which has been facing major shortages in recent years. The Sindh government responded by promising to complete the first phase within three years.
Upon arrival the prime minister was received by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and also met with Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad. With water projects and the GLRTS the main topics of discussion, the PM also discussed the recent heatwave and promised to hold those responsible accountable. He also undertook rounds of hospitals to see some of the patients. However, he avoided making any firm commitments on the matter. With the Sindh chief minister putting the blame on K-Electric, it remains to be seen if Nawaz Sharif would be willing to take on the power distribution company with his own party committed to privatisation of state entities. The visit appears to be a case of Sharif bowing to public pressure to visit Karachi after the recent heatwave – without much concrete to offer. The meeting also appeared to be a case of the PM offering a fig leaf to the PPP with whom relations have been tense since the PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari’s remarks about army generals. Nawaz Sharif’s decision to visit Karachi appears to be more about mending political fences and posturing than offering relief for the issues facing the city. The money offered for transport and water projects helps, but the fact that law and order was not even discussed shows the skewed priorities of the federal government with respect to the country’s economic capital.