MQM-P disappointed over implementation of KTP thru Sindh government

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Tuesday expressed disappointment over federal govt's decision to implement the Rs1,100 billion Karachi Transformation Plan (KTP) through the provincial government rather than opting for the local government of its allied party.

"If federal government wanted to invest in the city, you should have invested through those who know the city," said MQM-P convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui in a press conference flanked by former mayor Waseem Akhtar, party leaders Kunwar Naveed Jamil and Faisal Subzwari.

Siddiqui said he doesn't think the decision was made by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The MQM-P leader reminded that the country's progress was linked through Karachi. He added that Pakistan has developed whenever MQM had gotten a mandate.

Siddiqui said his party does not want to raise the question on the recently announced package for the city but hoped that it was implemented. "Everyone has a right to benefit from Karachi's [potential] but no one had ever given back," said Siddiqui, asking what was the reason that PM Imran did not announce the Karachi package through the local government.

The MQM leader also expressed his reservation over the appointment of an administrator for Karachi after the tenure of the local governments ended. He also alleged that appointments were made in Sindh based on ethnicity.

"It is being proven that no one in Sindh will get education, jobs or development," said the former federal minister. He also alleged that the ruling PPP does not consider Sindh as a "single administrative unit."

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020