Kamal gives 30-day ultimatum to resolve Karachi issues

Chairman of Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP), Syed Mustafa Kamal gave a 30-day ultimatum to the federal and Sindh governments to sort out Karachi-related problems otherwise he would announce future course of action.
"Karachiites are deprived of basic necessities of life including potable drinking water, education, health facilities, proper solid waste management system, road infrastructure, et cetera," Kamal said addressing a largely-attended public rally near Tibet Centre on MA Jinnah Road, here on Sunday night.
He expressed concern on the dilapidated condition of Karachi's infrastructure despite the fact that Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan and the biggest-generator of revenues to the national exchequer.
Raza Haroon of the PSP read out the resolutions adopted at the mass rally. The resolutions demanded political and financial powers to the local councils' representatives as per section 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan with the amendments to the existing local government laws immediately. It demanded census should be conducted in a transparent manner as per the international practices and free from political interference. It demanded the government to make sincere efforts to make Pakistan free of corruption.
It demanded of the government to ensure potable drinking water, proper sanitation system, better transport facilities, roads, and proper health and education services to the citizens because these are the basic rights. PSP resolution said it was the state's responsibility to protect the fundamental democratic rights of its citizens.
Mustafa Kamal said that the city's situation was deteriorating with the passage of time while many public representatives were enjoying lavish lives forgetting their responsibilities and those who were elected to the local councils were crying for powers and funds instead of keeping their promises they made with the voters during the election campaign.
"If you are not able to run the city affairs, you should resign and return the mandate to people," he asked the Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar without naming him. He also criticised the government saying that she had been orchestrating time and again that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a game changer, but the reality has it that around 300,000 children are losing their lives due to malnourishment and lack of food, while over 10 million children (suffering from different mental and physical diseases) can't afford medical treatment at hospitals.
Kamal also expressed reservations over the ongoing law enforcement agencies' operations in Karachi. "Solely, the operation will not help maintain durable peace and tranquillity in this city of 22 millions; we have to do something else for this purpose. We have to educate our youth, provide them job opportunities alongside better living environment" he said.
PSP chairman recalled that when a gangster in the crime-prone Lyari was killed, his son took over the charge of his father, later, he also got killed and now his 14-year son was operating the same gang.
He alerted this practice would continue in future as well until the society and government come forward and play their due role. He asked why such persons were not provided with education, jobs in the police, in Pakistan Army, Rangers or in any government sector department.
"Presently, there are some 2000 imprisoned youth" he said requesting the relevant authorities to release them. He guaranteed that they would no more get involved in the criminal activities. He alleged that the imprisoned youths were misused by MQM founder Altaf Hussain with the help of Indian Research and Analyses Wing (RAW).
He requested the Army Chief to establish four cadet colleges in Karachi while two in Hyderabad to compensate the years-long sense of deprivation among the citizens of these two cities.
Mustafa Kamal also demanded 20 percent share of Karachi out 3500MW electricity from Bin Qasim and KNEPP. He also accused KE for taking an additional amount of Rs62 billion from the consumers through over-billing and heavy tariff applications. He urged the power company to pay back that amount to the users.
Kamal said that the biggest enemies of Muhajir community were those who want that Muttahida Qaumi Movement should continue. He said with the overwhelming participation of citizens from different sects and ethnicity at his public meeting proved that PSP enjoyed Karachi's mandate.
He advised the youth of Karachi to buy computers instead of weapons.
The PSP leaders, Anees Qaimkhani, Raza Haroon and Dr Sagheer Ahmed also spoke.
A large number of PSP supporters including women and children holding Pakistani flags and PSP leaders' portraits attended the rally. M.A Jinnah road was closed due to security reasons and PSP volunteers assisted police to maintain security during the event. According to the traffic police, vehicles coming from Quaid-e-Azam's mausoleum to Merewether Tower were diverted towards Saddar while the traffic flow from Tower was diverted to Garden.