‘Transforming Karachi ‘into a city like Paris’: JI rejects PPP’s claim
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi leaders on Saturday criticized the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) for claiming that it had transformed Karachi into a city like Paris, saying the assertion contradicts the worsening civic conditions faced by residents.
Addressing a protest at Shah Latif Bhittai Road in Agra Taj, JI Karachi deputy chief and opposition leader in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Saifuddin Advocate, said such claims were insensitive to the daily struggles of citizens. He noted that promises to turn Lyari into “Paris” had been made since the 1970s but remained unfulfilled.
“The reality is that Lyari has not become Paris, rather the entire Karachi has turned into Lyari,” he said, alleging that development funds announced for various projects had failed to provide a tangible relief.
He slammed the Sindh government for announcing large financial packages, including Rs90bn for Larkana and Rs29bn for the Lyari Transformation Project, saying the initiatives had delivered little benefit. Despite an annual provincial budget running into trillions of rupees, he added, development work remained negligible while corruption continued to thrive.
The protest was organised under JI’s “Haq Do Lyari” campaign and was attended by several party leaders, including JI South district Chief Sufyan Dalawar and former MPA Syed Abdul Rasheed.
Dalawar questioned repeated changes to the cost of the Lyari Transformation Project, saying the allocation had been reduced from Rs56bn to around Rs25bn over time. He demanded that the work order be made public and called for the formation of an empowered oversight committee comprising relevant stakeholders to ensure transparency and prevent corruption.
He also criticized the use of Rs1.45bn reportedly allocated by Sui Southern Gas Company for road rehabilitation following pipeline work, alleging that no road in Lyari had been properly restored despite the funds.
Syed Abdul Rasheed drew attention to persistent gas shortages in the area, saying residents continued to face serious difficulties even after rehabilitation work. He warned that low gas pressure had forced many households to rely on cylinders, leading to frequent accidents and loss of lives.
He further alleged irregularities in gas pipeline projects, accusing officials and contractors of substandard work and rule violations, including cutting through bridges to lay pipelines. He called for an immediate audit and strict action against those responsible.
The speakers said residents of Lyari and other parts of Karachi were increasingly compelled to protest for basic services such as water, electricity and gas, adding that lasting improvements would require sustained public engagement and accountability.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026