Latest news with #Karachiites
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PDP for converting Karachi into modern efficient liveable city
KARACHI: Megacity Karachi is one of the least developed megacities of the world and there is a need to convert it into a modern efficient liveable city, said Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor here Sunday. He said that the dream of having a liveable city is the old dream of Karachiites, which is yet to be materialized. He said we need Karachi as an efficient modern megacity that offers a high quality of life, sustainability, and opportunities for its residents. He said that Karachi has become a congested city dotted with hundreds of poor slums. Karachiites want affordable and quality housing, with diverse options for different income levels. It needs well-maintained buildings and neighbourhoods, efficient and reliable public transportation, with Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) as its backbone. It also requires reliable, affordable, and well-connected transit systems of buses, bike and bicycle lanes. Better public transport would reduce road congestion and air and noise pollution. Altaf Shakoor said that the megacity has very sparse parks and green spaces, gardens, and recreational areas. He said better safety standards, and lower crime rate is the need of hour. The safe city project is facing an extended delay which is worrisome. The megacity needs effective law enforcement and community policing, besides well-lit streets and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. A city can't be called liveable without better access to quality healthcare and education, well-equipped hospitals and clinics, good schools, universities, and lifelong learning opportunities. He said growing joblessness is a major concern of Karachi. It needs a strong economy & more job opportunities, for which diverse industries and employment options are necessary. He said the government should support small businesses and the fisheries and maritime sector. Shortage of potable water, electricity and gas load shedding are perpetual issues of Karachi, he said, adding clean potable water, stable electricity and gas should be ensured for the Karachiites at top priority, besides well-maintained roads and public facilities. He demanded of the federal and provincial government to allocate ample funds for Karachi in the coming budget to make it a liveable megacity. Modern megacities are self sustainable efficient cities in terms of amenities and resources. Water, electricity and gas should be available to all residents at affordable prices. Circular railways connected with road networks are essential elements of the modern transportation system of smart cities. Resource allocation should be in accordance with organic population growth and migration rate. Mega cities can only be managed effectively through elected representatives operating a transparent system. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
JI accuses Nepra of displaying anti-Karachi bias
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan has accused the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) of discriminatory practices against Karachiites, criticizing the decision to burden consumers with recovery losses and imposing a higher basic tariff of Rs40 per unit in the metropolis as compared to Rs35 in other cities. In a letter to NEPRA's chairman, he condemned the authority for failing to uphold its constitutional duties, alleging clear bias against Karachi's residents. He argued that while other cities' electric supply companies are barred from passing recovery losses onto consumers, Karachi Electric (KE) has been allowed to do so, placing an unfair financial strain on the city's residents. 'Such biased decisions undermine NEPRA's claims of equality and lay the foundation for injustice,' he stated. Highlighting NEPRA's approval of a multi-year tariff, the JI leader noted that KE is set to collect an additional Rs97 billion from consumers until 2030. He also raised concerns over NEPRA's ongoing hearings regarding KE's Rs76 billion write-off claims, alleging the authority may once again favour the controversial private utility. Monem criticized KE's dismal performance, pointing out that it provides the most expensive electricity in the country while failing to address inefficiencies and alleged misdeeds. He demanded that Nepra take strict notice of KE's poor service, frequent load-shedding and questionable transactions. Additionally, he called for the revocation of KE's operating license and a forensic audit of the company's accounts to ensure transparency. The JI Karachi Chief urged the Nepra to reconsider its policies and prioritize the interests of Karachi's consumers, warning that continued discrimination would deepen public resentment. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Robbed and murdered
Listen to article Karachi is grappling with an alarming surge in violent street crimes, with citizens paying the ultimate price for resisting robberies. Since January 2025, at least 47 people have been killed in such incidents, a figure that starkly underscores the city's deteriorating law and order situation. While the police dispute that number — which was compiled by NGOs — their own data shows 33 fatalities, which is only slightly better. The human cost of this crisis is harrowing. In May alone, a 10-year-old died in crossfire during a robbery in Landhi, and an 18-year-old was shot dead in Korangi's Zaman Town. In another incident, two young men were shot dead for resisting an attempt to steal their motorcycle. Stories such as these are not uncommon in the world's megacities, but the raw number of such incidents makes Karachi stand out. The city's crime rate dwarfs many other megacities, and this is only made worse by the fact that many Karachiites treat street crimes as a fact of life and have so little confidence in the police's ability to deliver justice that they don't even report robberies. To law enforcement's credit, citizens are 'only' advised to be cautious while commuting, shopping, or walking home, and to "avoid resistance" during robberies. Meanwhile, the judiciary remains unable to handle the sheer number of cases that are filed, and due to the backlog, even in 'open-and-shut cases', accused criminals are often able to easily secure bail. Economic desperation and organised crime further fuel the crisis. Despite being the country's economic capital, Karachi has failed to provide enough jobs, housing and other services for its existing residents, meaning the size of the economic underclass continues to grow. And though there are other factors, Karachi's descent into lawlessness was primarily due to failures of governance at the political and bureaucratic levels. While policing is important, the only long-term solution is in the hands of legislators and policymakers.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JI condemns PPP, mayor for city's issues
A large number of Union Council chairmen and councillors, belonging to the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), staged a demonstration in front of the city council, on Monday, against water shortage and other crises in the megalopolis; chanting slogans against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in Sindh, as well as the city mayor, over their failure in addressing the long standing issues of the city. Leader of the opposition in the city council, Saifuddin Advocate, addressed the demonstration, stating that the JI has decided to take to the streets, with no respite in agitation until and unless Karachi's rights are granted. He added that the final phase of the Karachi Rights Movement will commence after Eidul Adha, with the aim to topple the PPP government with the help of the Karachiites.
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
JI Karachi decides to protest against water shortages
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Chief, Monem Zafar on Wednesday announced city-wide protest demonstrations on 13 major arteries of Karachi on Friday, May 16, to address the acute water shortage plaguing the city. Speaking at a press conference at JI's headquarters, Idara Noor-e-Haq, the JI leader criticized the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) government in Sindh for its 'anti-Karachi' policies and systemic deprivation of essential services. He accused the PPP, in collaboration with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, of manipulating Karachi's population count from over 35 million to just above 20 million, reducing the city's share of national resources. He highlighted the conversion of key institutions like the Karachi Building Control Authority into the Sindh Building Control Authority and the Karachi Development Authority's Master Plan Department into the Sindh Master Plan Authority, alleging these changes enabled corruption and diminished Karachi's autonomy. Monem pointed to the recurring failures of Karachi's water infrastructure, noting that an 84-inch water supply line had developed leaks six times in the past seven months, with the latest incident 14 days ago leaving large parts of the city without water. He questioned the absence of the mayor, local government minister, and chief minister in addressing the crisis. He also criticized the stalled K4 water project, initiated by the late Nematullah Khan, which has ballooned from Rs25 billion to Rs200 billion while its capacity has been reduced from 650 million gallons to 260 million gallons. He accused the PPP of enabling the tanker mafia, which profits by selling water to residents. Beyond water issues, he condemned the rising lawlessness in Karachi, stating that 42 citizens had been killed by street criminals in the past four and a half months. He also alleged police involvement in short-term kidnappings and criticized the Sindh Building Control Authority and FIA Crime Circle for supporting land and encroachment mafias. The JI Karachi Chief cited an incident where an anti-encroachment official was tortured in Korangi Town, vowing that JI would mobilize Karachiites to resist these mafias. Commenting on the recent operation 'Bunyan Marsoos' on May 10, 2025, he praised the military and called for sustaining the spirit of unity it inspired. He urged the restoration of institutions like the National Cadet Corps, Civil Defense, and Scouts to bolster national preparedness. The protests aim to demand immediate action on Karachi's water crisis and broader governance failures, with JI positioning itself as a defender of the city's rights. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
