imageKARACHI: Karachi is in dire need of an honest and selfless leadership to help restore its reputation of an enlightened and progressive city, said some of its notable citizens on Saturday.

Addressing a seminar "Let us Change Our Karachi," they said great responsibility lie upon women themselves to contribute towards restoration of peace, law and order situation in the metropolis on lasting basis.

Akram Khatoon, the first woman banker of the country, Nusrat William, a senior educationist and National President, Young Women Christian Association, Prof. Dr. Yasmeen Mumtaz, former head of

Community Medicine department, Dow University of Health Sciences, Advocate Shazia (Sindh High Court) were the key speakers on the occasion.

Nusrat William, a known champion for the cause of women rights said at current point of time no macro level change can be made yet local women can bring about meaningful change at micro level.

Directly addressing the women audience present in the session, she said, "you give birth to the leaders and you give birth to voters hence you hold every chance to groom them as principled human beings".

Mentioning that no religion condone intolerance, corruption, bigotry or any other sort of social or moral wrong, she said this very fact can help womenfolk join hands for the cause of equity.

Akram Khatoon seeking strong local government system said the mess registered in the fields of education and health sector as well as other civic bodies could be addressed through formation of committees, at union council levels, authorized to keep strict vigil on performance of these institutions.

The committee members, she said must be known for their steadfastness and ought to conduct themselves above politics.

She said quality education and health care alongwith normal industrial activity are crucially linked to restoration of peace in Karachi as these can help end the frustration among the local youth.

"We alongwith proper infrastructure also need quality workforce comprising well groomed, educated and trained youth utilizing their potential on healthy activities," said the banker.

Akram Khatoon reiterated that Karachi alongwith other parts of the country need to bring equity in education.

Dr. Yasmeen Mumtaz discussing constant deterioration in the environmental conditions in Karachi referred to absolute indifference towards the issue of marine and atmospheric pollution coupled with inadequate disposal of solid waste and safety of water resources.

All these are issues that should have been addressed through efficient local governance, she said.

The healthcare expert attributed presence of ailments as diarrhea, polio and so-forth to non availability of potable water for vast majority of the citizens.

These diseases otherwise eradicated from many of the world persists in our parts as those at helm of affairs over the years appeared to be indifferent towards public needs.

A strong local bodies system manned by committed leadership can definitely help us overcome our health related issues and contribute towards quality life. said Dr. Yasmeen Mumtaz.

Former MNA and member Jamaat e Islami, Ayesha Munawwar said system has to be rectified through quality leadership.

She urged women to make optimum of their right to caste vote in the local bodies polls scheduled for Karachi in the first week of December 2015.

"Use your political power with extreme care and due attention towards future of the metropolis that happens to be your home and that of your children," said the political activist.

Durdana Siddiqui, General Secretary of Jamaat e Islami also spoke on this occasion.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2015

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