President Alvi has promised to play his role for Karachi’s development, says JI

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has called on the federal government to work together with the Sindh government for mega development projects of Karachi, like the K-IV bulk water supply scheme and the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit project, in order to complete them at the earliest.

The advice to this effect was given by JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman as he led a delegation of his party to meet President Dr Arif Alvi at Governor House on Saturday.

The JI Karachi emir lamented during the meeting that the civic situation of Karachi was in a shambles. He discussed with the president various issues of the city with respect to its transport system and power and water supply.

Talking to media persons after the meeting, Rehman said he had discussed the ongoing development projects in Karachi with President Alvi. He added that the president patiently heard the JI’s submissions and assured the party that he would play a positive role in that regard.

He remarked that Karachi was rightly considered as the economic backbone of the country as the development of the country was linked with the development of Karachi. According to Rehman, mega development projects of Karachi such as the Green Line project should be completed at the earliest.

The JI Karachi emir said he also discussed with the president the issue of Pakistani scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui who had been incarcerated in the United States.

He quoted the president as saying that efforts were being at the government level to secure the release of Dr Aafia.

The terrorist attacks at two mosques in New Zealand were also discussed at the meeting, the JI leader said. He added that had any Muslim been involved in such a heinous act, there would have been much more hue and cry at the global level.

The country needed a uniform education system for all classes, Rehman said. He stressed that there should not be separate academic systems for the poor and the rich, adding that the existence of different education systems in the country had been resulting in the brain drain.

The JI Karachi chief said he also suggested to President Alvi that Urdu language be imposed as the official language in the country.

When asked if he had discussed with the president the ongoing quarrel in the Sindh Assembly between the lone MPA of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, a political alliance of religious parties including the JI, and the opposition leader belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Rehman said the issue did not come under discussion at the meeting.