If local govt fails, so will PPP’s Sindh regime, warns Sattar

Asks Centre to bypass provincial govt and issue LG funds directly;

warns PPP of sit-ins, going to court if demands not met

Dr Farooq Sattar has warned that if the present local government were to fail, then the provincial administration of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would soon follow suit.

Sattar, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) convener, also warned that if the local body’s demands were not met, then public meetings and sit-ins would be organised to make their voices heard, and the Sindh government would be taken to court.

Addressing a news conference at the temporary party office in PIB Colony on Wednesday, he announced a 100-day Hamara Karachi programme, terming it the “basic manifesto” of the MQM-P. A day earlier, Mayor Waseem Akhtar had announced a 100-day development plan for the city.

Sattar appealed to the people of Karachi that they should take ownership of their city and care for every district, town and locality.

He reiterated the mayor’s claim that three districts of Karachi would be cleaned up in 100 days: from December 1 to March 10.

He lamented that while the provincial finance commission demands its share from the federal government in proportion to the population and resources of Karachi, the city receives “stepmotherly” treatment from the Centre.

He requested Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to cut out the middleman, namely the Sindh administration, when it comes to disbursing funds for the local government.

He held the provincial government responsible for Karachi being deprived of basic civic facilities, terming it “criminal negligence”.

The MQM-P convener appealed to traders, non-governmental organisations, the corporate sector, the Pakistan International Airlines and others to advise them on the city’s 100-day cleanliness campaign.

“We don’t claim to make model union councils or districts, but our work will be exemplary,” said Sattar. “Despite limited resources, but with unlimited passion, we shall grow flowers in the desert.”

He also demanded funds of Rs20 million for each district municipal corporation and much more for the mayor of the city.

He said United States President-elect Donald Trump had said America was for Americans, but “I shall not say Karachi is for Karachiites. However, if they feel that Karachi is for Karachiites, then it won’t be an ambiguous wish”.

He explained that a Karachi for Karachiites would mean a city that is liveable for Karachiites. “The city will be cleaned, garbage lifted, roads patched up and new roads will be laid out.”

The MQM-P convener requested the construction industry to bring in their heavy machineries for the Hamara Karachi programme so they could help them make more parks for the city.