Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor on Sunday stressed an urgent need for transforming Karachi into a modern and efficient megacity.
In a statement, he lamented the current status of the city as one of the least developed major urban centres globally. He articulated the longstanding aspirations of Karachi’s residents for a liveable city stressing the necessity for an efficient urban environment that provided a high quality of life and opportunities of growth for its inhabitants.
The PDP chairman pointed out the city’s congestion and poor housing conditions, and advocated for affordable and high-quality housing solutions to accommodate people belonging to varying income levels.
Shakoor also called for a reliable public transportation system with the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) at its core to alleviate road congestion and reduce pollution. He also addressed the scarcity of parks and green spaces in the city underscoring the importance of recreational areas.
He called for improved safety standards and effective law enforcement. Shakoor mentioned the need for better health care and education facilities along with a robust economy to tackle the city’s joblessness. He urged the government to support small businesses and the maritime sector to create more employment opportunities.
Highlighting perpetual issues like water shortages and power loadshedding, he demanded that the federal and provincial governments prioritise these essential services and allocate sufficient funds in the upcoming budget to enhance Karachi’s infrastructure. He was of the view that modern megacities must be self-sustainable and effectively managed through transparent governance by elected representatives.
