MQM’S VISION
FOR AN EGALITARIAN ORDER THROUGH
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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Nation’s solidarity, integrity and security; progress and prosperity; improvement in common man’s quality of life; stability of democratic institutions; and the substantial reforms in the field of agriculture, trade and industry, education and health, finance and overall economy and judiciary are the cherished goals of Muttahida Qaumi Movement. It seeks to eradicate malpractices, corruption, injustice, atrocity, exploitation, illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, hunger, abuse of drugs and other social vices and crimes through a well-thought out strategy with the sole purpose, not only to make a strong and prosperous Pakistan, but also to establish a social order free from exploitation that ensures justice to the people without any discrimination. The objectives are in conformity with Mr. Altaf Hussain’s philosophy of “realism” and “practicalism”; national unity and harmony; eradication of feudalism and socio-economic inequalities and a curb on arbitrary powers. To achieve these objectives MQM has drawn a multi-pronged strategy.
MQM made its debut in 1987 when it not only participated and won the local bodies elections but also set a new political trend by the people’s effective participation which was unknown hitherto. During 1987 to 1992, Haq Parast representatives, with meager resources, served the people irrespective of their religion, cast creed, language, color, nationality and provided basic necessities- potable water, education, health, sanitation to the utmost satisfaction of the people. It was for the first time that the foundation of “politics for service” was laid in Pakistan.
MASTER PLAN:
Karachi though rated as the 10th largest metropolis, is one of the cities that has no “master plan”. Whatever plan had been drawn earlier remained unimplemented and lost its character and utility. Hence the need for the preparation of a Master Plan.
DIGITAL BASE MAP:
CITY DATA BANK:
PLANNING FOR 2025:
D. COMPUTERIZATION OF REVENUE RECORD
The land of Karachi has been disposed of at throw away prices without any remorse in the past. Thousand of civil cases are pending in the court because the revenue record was not maintained or that it was maintained in such a way that manipulations could be made in the record easily. Hence it is necessary that all revenue record is prepared afresh on authenticated documents/surveys.
E. SURVEY AND PLANNING OF UNDERGROUND
SERVICE NETWORK
There are no two views that the maintenance, renovation and improvement of underground sewerage, water mains etc., is the dire need of Karachi. It would take at least one year, even on priority basis, to undertake survey of the existing capacity, the future needs and the execution of works to meet the requirement of growing population.
(In our opinion, the upcoming city Government should pay attention towards the development of Master Plan to get the fruitful result as early as possible)
2. ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND ENFORCEMENT AT UNION, TOWN AND DISTRICT LEVEL.
A. To make the Government functional and effective, it is essential that administrative reforms should keep pace with the normal functioning of the local government. Based on the philosophy of decentralization, it is envisaged to empower and strengthen all the tiers of local government as under:
· Reorganization and restructuring of all the departments that come under SLGO 2001
· Computerization and establishment of Management and Information System
· Restructuring the administrative machinery
· Training of the existing staff (capacity building) and to secure the services of most efficient personnel.
B. IMPLEMENTION OF DEVOLUTION PLAN
The decentralization of power and authority to the lower formations has not been fully effected till now. Though such a transfer of authority has been partially made, but the transfer of power and authority from Federation to Provinces has yet to be made. Devolution of authority is one of the priorities. The city district government should make all efforts to ensure that such departments that are to be transferred from the provinces to the local councils be done speedily. Transfer to the lower formations, of the following functions, need to be effected:
· Fiscal and Financial
· Local legislation
· Framing of policies
· Control over bureaucracy of local government
· Complete power of local policing.
C. ABOLITION OF OUTDATED MULTIPLE AGENCIES CONTROL SYSTEM
Karachi has a multiple corporate bodies that includes six Cantonment Boards, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, Defence Housing Authority, Railways, Gothabad Authority etc that have apportioned a huge chunk of land that belongs to City District Government and Board of Revenue Sindh. In case Karachi has to be developed under a comprehensive plan then it is essential that the existing laws be amended in such a way that City District Government assumes complete control and ownership over the urban land and its use. The Cantonment Act 1924 also needs to be amended on priority basis.
(Administrative reforms in Local Government system are essential now, for attaining this objective a well co-coordinated efforts from Federal, Provincial and Local Governments is required. If all the three tiers that is local governments will be able to attain its objectives in last two years of its tenure)
3. SUPPLY AND DISPOSAL OF WATER
3.A. Where water is the main source of sustenance, Karachi from very beginning is confronted with the problem of acute shortage of water. The situation has been aggravated by the rapidly growing population and immigration of millions from other provinces in search of employment. There is no correlation between the limited resources and the unending demand for more provision of services. This is one of the reasons that Karachi is facing an acute shortage of 160 MGD.
3. A.1 As a result of continuous efforts of MQM, the Federal Government and the President has launched K-3 Water project. The work is in progress and it is hoped that by the end of next year it would be completed, as a result of which there would be an increase of 100 MGD water. It is estimated that due to ill maintenance of water lines, about 140 MGD water is wasted through leakages. In this connection Rs.1.25 billion have been secured from the Federal Government through PSDP budgetary allocation of 2005-2006. This will have save 70 MGD.
3. A.2 Keeping in view of the rise in population of Karachi and the additional requirement of water, a plan is afoot- K4 for further enhancing the supply of 100 MGD.
3. A.3 For equitable distribution of water it is necessary to cover both industrial and residential areas specially in the far flung areas like Orangi, Lyari, Pak Colony, Baldia, Surjani, Gulshan-e Hadid, Baba and Bhit Islands etc. The existing water lines are in dilapidated state and would not bear the load of additional supply of 100 MGD through K3. It has accordingly been arranged through the efforts of MQM to secure a grant of Rs.1.25 billion from the Federal Government to renovate and to supplement the existing lines with a few dedicated lines.
3. A. 4 Desalination Plants
To meet the need of such consumers who use raw water or purchase through tankers, it is planned to install desalination plants at the coastal belt of Karachi. Each Plant would have the capacity to convert 5 MGD saline into sweet water, so the total supply will increase by 25 MGD.
3. A.5 To reuse the water for non-drinking purposes, recycling plants need to be established that will meet the requirements of agriculturists and industrialists.
3. B DISPOSAL OF WATER
Disposal of sewage water is as essential as the supply of water. The overflowing of gutters and inundation of main roads, streets and lanes has become a normal spectacle. To improve the system, following measures need to be undertaken.
3.B.1 It should be ensured that each and every mohalla and human settlement has a basic sewerage system. The system will be so designed that the primary line of the mohalla will be connected with the secondary line that will connect it with the trunk (tertiary) line for the final disposal of sewage.
3.B2.The other important problem connected with the disposal is the repair and renovation of the secondary and tertiary sewerage lines.
3.B.3 By one estimate 300 MGD untreated sludge and water is discharged into the sea through the storm water drains that have been converted into gutter drains and become constant source of environmental hazard.
There only three treatment plants in the City located at Gutter Baghicha, Mehmoodabad and Mauripur. The total capacity of these three treatment plants is 150MGD which are fed by leaking and dilapidated secondary and tertiary sewers. So hardly 50 MDG water is treated against the capacity of 150MGD.
3.B.4 As has been narrated above, against the discharge of 250 MGD the capacity to treat this quantity is only 150 MGD (subject to repair renovation). Hence it is essential that new treatment plants with additional capacity of 100 MGD be installed and thereafter the capacity should be increased by 33% annually.
4. STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM
It is most unfortunate that Karachi Metropolis is devoid of storm water drainage system. Whatever little storm water drains existed before independence were converted into Sewage trunks or over which shops have constructed legally or illegally. This is the reason that during rainfall all the roads are submerged with water as there is no outlet for this rainy water. Hence there is greater need to prepare comprehensive plans to construct storm water drains to carry the rain water to the sea. Though it is a long term plan, but the City District Government must launch this project along with the construction of long life roads.
5. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Karachi produces 800 to 1000 tons garbage daily. Civilized nations convert this garbage into raw material for better uses through recycling process and earn handsome profit to support their budgetary allocations for better civic services. Management of Disposal of Solid waste has become a science but people are not aware of its uses and its potential. Hence it is the need of the hour that both citizens and city district government join hands to improve the sanitary arrangements.
5.A AWAKENING OF CIVIC SENSE & RESPONSIBILITY.
To remain unaware of problems is the root cause of all evils. It is one of the responsibilities of the District Government not only to inculcate a feeling of civic sense amongst its citizens but also to highlight the sense of civic participation.. If CDGK moves in the right direction, this City can acquire the free services of 15 million volunteers. The only thing required is to create
public awareness and a sense of responsibility through media. If people are reminded of the environmental hazard, the harm caused by the garbage, the value of the recycled garbage, the separation of the recyclable from non-cyclable garbage and arrangements to collect the garbage in front of the houses, it is hoped that the lanes, streets and mohallas would become neat and clean. One of the important functions of the city district government is to prepare a media plan that can ensure the participatory role of the citizens in keeping their city clean. To begin with one area may be selected, in the first year, as a model to implement this plan, which may be extended to other areas gradually.
5.B. SOILD WASTE MANAGEMENT
This consists of three parts:
i) Collection of solid waste
ii) Transportation of solid waste
iii) Disposal of solid waste
The usual mode is to deposit the garbage at designated or undesignated places, from where it is shifted through refuse vans to some other open place/ground for dumping. During the previous Haq Parast District Government, 30 special refuse vans had been acquired through the assistance of Japanese Government, but in view of the gigantic task and requirement of much more vans, it could not solve the problem. The need of the time is that the solid waste management system is to be evolved on modern lines as has been done in other developing countries. Use of latest technology may serve twin purpose of keeping the city clean and earning a handsome profit by sale of recycled waste. This plan should be affected as under
6. COMMUNICATION
Karachi also needs a plan for better and inexpensive Communication. Following measures could be taken:
(a). Quite broad roads had been planned and constructed in Karachi but due to unprecedented increase in population, the shifting of Capital to Islamabad and the consequent neglect by the Government, most of these roads were encroached which made them narrow and congested. Keeping in view of these facts, a survey needs to be undertaken without any loss of time to remove encroachments, replacement of roundabouts by traffic signals and reduction of islands.
(b) During 1997-98 a new concept of long life roads was introduced under the umbrella of Haq Parast leadership. Five long life roads were constructed under the latest technology under the American Standards as laid down by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. At the same time sanction had been accorded for the construction of 10 additional such roads. The main characteristic of this design was that at the margin of the roads ducts had been provided for the laying of water pipes, electric, gas cables, telephone lines etc., so that roads need not be dug and damaged for laying such lines. The City District Government is well advised to construct such long life roads to avoid digging and damage of roads.
(c ) There is lot of scope in the city for constructing alternate roads to facilitate traffic. The Traffic Engineering Bureau and the Transport Department of the District Government should undertake such a study and plan for alternate roués/roads.
(d). In the context of communication, additional efforts are needed. Besides underground and overhead routes, expressways for speedy traffic need also be planned for effective commutation.
(e). Southern bypass: After Lyari Express Way and Northern bypass, planning should be initiated for construction of Southern bypass which could be routed through coastal belt to Ibrahim Hydri to join the National Highway.
7. TRANSPORT
One of the primary and persisting problem of this City is ‘mismanaged and ill-maintained transport” Neither any comprehensive plan was prepared nor effective measures were taken to tackle the issue. Being multi-facet issue it has got to be incorporated in the proposed Master Plan. Interim but immediate measures listed below may be taken to ease the situation:
1. The plying of heavy-vehicle/long trailers within the congested city has compounded the traffic and transport problem. With the completion of Northern Bypass and Karachi Expressway, the unregulated traffic would be controlled, while the proposed Southern bypass would also alleviate the problem, but still the buses plying on intercity routes would continue to be a traffic hazard. This needs to be tackled by construction of bus terminals within and on the periphery of the City.
2. To control the traffic flow, Centralized (automatic) Controlled Traffic Signals have to be installed in all localities, whether DHA or Cantonments. This reduce the fares as well as the traveling time.
3. The biggest hindrance to smooth flow of traffic is unregulated/haphazard parking on main streets and lanes. This needs construction of multi-storey parking lots at such places where parking space is badly needed.
4. Environmental pollution caused by the vehicles is a great hazard to the life and health of the citizens. It is, therefore, necessary that all the vehicles switch over from diesel and petrol to CNG gradually. This could be done in collaboration and cooperation with transporters and financial institutions that may lend money to transporters to purchase CNG kits.
5. There is an extreme need to enforce traffic laws, rules and regulations to check reckless driving of heavy vehicles by inexperienced drivers who commit serious crimes by causing serious accidents including fatal ones which result in the loss of lives of hundreds of citizens monthly. The CDGK could reduce these serious and fatal accidents drastically if the laws are enforced effectively.
6. The road accidents due to the negligence of the drivers are on the increase. Most of the accidents are caused by public transport including commercial heavy duty vehicles. This needs immediate measures including effective control on the issuance of driving licenses.
7. The other cause of the road accidents is the defective vehicles. It is, therefore, necessary that Vehicle Testing and Fitness Program need to be launched in collaboration with Private Fitness Garage Operators. No public transport be given the permit/permission to ply the buses or heavy vehicles in the city unless fitness certificate is obtained and displayed at the windscreen of these vehicles. Assistance may be had from the qualified and experienced automobile and design engineers.
8. Traffic/road signs and marking is the weakest segment in the Karachi Traffic. City District Government should pay attention towards lane markings, traffic signs, zebra crossing and other traffic management devices to mitigate the menace of accidents.
9. MASS TRANSIT PROGRAM: Karachi Mass Transit was first conceived by the Haq Parast City Government in 1988 and six Corridors had been planned in the whole town. The plan became victim to official red tapism and the Haq Parast efforts could not be materialized. MQM once again has picked up the old threads and has approached both Provincial and Federal Government to revive the plan. The proposal is in the advance stage of processing and Corridor No. 1 has already been assigned to an American firm. Hopefully foundation stone will be laid of this project by the end of the year. The First Corridor will be stretched from Sohrab Goth to Merewether Tower, while the second corridor will start from Orangi Town and terminate at Cant: Railway Station. Both the corridors are expected to be completed in four years time. The other four corridors would be taken up subsequently and hopefully completed in four years after the completion of first two corridors.
10. CIRCULAR RAILWAY: Circular Railway was one of the integral part of the transport system of Karachi. After serving the commuters for a long time, its operations were stopped for no rhyme or reason. Last year MQM, through its Ministers and MNA’s restarted the linear track services. But to complete its loop link, it will take another one year.
8. EMPLOYMENT
The mass unemployment amongst the youth has become a source of curse. The need of the hour is to provide job-oriented education to the youth. Vocational institutes may thus be established. Industrialization has been recognized as the key to the growth of this metropolis. To attract foreign and local investment MQM with the assistance of Provincial and Federal Government has taken preliminary measures that include establishment of two new trade zones, two additional industrial estates, one media city and one industrial park. Rs.6.5 billion have been secured from the Federal Government for completing the above projects. It is hope that with the combined efforts CDGK and other financial institutions like SME, the industrial estates including a Women’s Cottage Industrial Estate would provide employment to 200,000 unemployed youth.
With a view to boost efficiency, production and employment, the private-public partnership concept has got to be popularized and introduced in all sectors including health and education. This will, inshallah, provide great incentive to the growth of Gross Domestic Product.
9. EDUCATION
(a). Under the devolved system, Education has become the exclusive jurisdiction of the local government. It is the responsibility of the city and district governments to provide primary to college education to the people. However, speedy reforms in the educational system have become the need of the hour that would abolish the dual system in vogue. It is hope that a uniform syllabus would be introduced in this Metropolis and the public schools be brought in parity with the private
schools. These reforms need to be introduced within six months from the date of induction of the local government. As soon as the local governments are formed, one years pilot program be introduced in all educational institutions and in the light of this experiment further reforms could be undertaken.
(b) To improve the efficiency and performance of the teachers, training programs for the teachers need to be launched
(c ) It should be ensured that at least 10% of the total budgetary expenditure is allocated to education.
(d) Pay scale of teachers need to be revised.
(e) Free education be provided up to metric.
(f) NGOs be encouraged to adopt schools
(g) Vocational subjects be also taught in al schools.
10. HEALTH:
Health is one of the prerequisites for a health society. Keeping in view the golden principle that “prevention is better than cure”, City District Government needs to undertake the following measures on priority basis:
(a). To create public awareness: City Government need to popularize preventive measures through media in such a way that people are educated through such campaigns to ensure the prevention of the spread of diseases.
(b). Little efforts have been made for Nursing and Paramedic Institutes. Hence it is necessary that though private-public partnership Nursing and Paramedic institutes be established.
(c). It is essential that each health institution should have autonomous management boards- Board of Directors comprising members from public. To begin with one Hospital be selected as a Model to implement this Scheme. On success, it may be replicated in all other health institutions.
(d). Some of the hospitals and dispensaries have become less effective. Such institutions may either be adopted by the NGOs or private organizations may be associated with Government to run these institutions.
(e). During the four years tenure of the local government, efforts should be made to establish a 200 bedded hospital with all modern facilities in all the eighteen towns of Karachi.
(f).City District Government also needs to establish a trauma centre par excellence at a central place
11. SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES:
(a). In most of the coastal cities, all over the world, beaches provide a great attraction to the people. Water Sports including rowing/boating, skiing and other such facilities are nonexistent in city of Karachi. Efforts need to be made to promote water sports in collaboration with private-public partnership.
(b). There is a great scope for funlands, Disney lands, and water sports centres. Efforts will be made to invite investors both local and multinational to undertake such ventures on commercial basis.
(c) There are many islands around Karachi that can be developed as picnic and recreation resorts on private-public partnership. These islands may be linked with beautiful boats like gondolas of Venice.
(d) Existing playground, stadiums and such facilities are in a bad shape. Immediate attention is needed to a construct new stadium and gymnasium and indoor clubs. Sports facilities be created at union council and towns level to promote games and sports.
(e) All over the world recreation centres are being established which provide multi services and recreation like shopping malls, food chains, ceniplexes under one roof. There is lot of scope for such centres that could be established by CDGK in Karachi so that people may relax and enjoy.
(f) To promote sports activities, City District Government should organize annual city games.
12. PARKS & PLANTATION:
There is greater need to have parks within the mohallas and lanes. To develop such facilities, different NGOs, CBOs, multinational and other trade and industrial originations needs to be persuaded to adopt parks under “ADOPT A PARK SCHEME” in association with local governments. Public and private partnership proposals should be initiated in this regard and sponsorship schemes may also be introduced.
Plantation in the city needs to be promoted and efforts be made to promote grow more trees campaign to make the city green and beautiful. This scheme could be launched by the City District government on the pattern of 64 sponsorship parks that had been undertaken by the Haq Parast last time.
13. PROMOTION OF ARTS & CULTURE
Activities that promote arts and culture need to be patronized. Holding of Mushairas, conferences, exhibitions, folk melas will be organized. For the support and assistance of poets, writers and artists separate funds shall be allocated in the budget. Prizes will be awarded to the best writers, poets etc. A City Library and Museum need to be established in the city. Faizee Rahmeen Auditorium, constructed during the previous Haq Parast Government and the Cultural Centre adjoining the Arts Council should be amalgamated and turned into a greater Arts and Cultural Complex.
14. EMERGENCY AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT
SERVICES
Though emergency and crisis management services exist in one form or the other, but lack of a comprehensive plan in this respect creates lot of confusion. Crisis Management Plan also needs to be prepared along with Master Plan. A call centre having a universal number be introduced to respond any call to meet any emergency.