JI calls for revising down heavy traffic e-challans

Karachi Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) emir Monem Zafar Khan has said the Pakistan People Party government in Sindh’s master plan for Karachi is nothing but a proposal for the “destruction of Karachi”.

Addressing a press conference at the JI Karachi headquarters Idara Noor-e-Haq on Wednesday, he said that the nexus among crime, politics, government, and mafias has taken the city hostage.

Talking about the outrageous traffic e-challan, he said citizens of Karachi are compelled to pay fines on e-challans despite Karachi’s already ruined infrastructure and broken roads, and motorists are forced to use them daily.

He said the water corporation and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board have also become a torment for the people adding that street crime and armed robberies continue to rise, while heavy traffic accidents claim more victims every day.

Instead of solving public problems, the chief minister, the transport minister and the local government minister are only focused on e-challans. In 17 years, the PPP government has introduced only a few hundred buses in Karachi, yet its ministers keep misleading the public with daily announcements of double-decker buses, he said.

Khan criticized the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for its “friendly opposition” to protect its ministries and personal interests. He said the MQM is also involved in helping Asif Ali Zardari obtain immunity.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Karachi after six months and returned without announcing any relief or development package for the citizens, showing complete lack of interest.

He said the JI demands that the federal government immediately provide a development package of Rs500 billion for Karachi, while the Sindh government should allocate Rs2 billion for each town so that the city’s condition can improve. He added that the Sindh government has received Rs50,280 million with a 13 percent increase through the NFC Award and should now immediately issue the PFC Award. He demanded that unjust heavy e-challan fines be withdrawn and revised, as Karachiites are already burdened with several taxes, including KMC’s Municipal Utility Charges.