Prime Minister Imran Khan has unveiled a historic Rs1.1 trillion package for Karachi, considered to be the largest in history. The prime minister vowed that Karachi will not be left behind and he has now delivered with the announcement of the ‘Karachi Transformation Plan’.
The plan envisages over fifty development projects over the next three years on mass transit, road development, water and sewerage, and solid waste management. These will be done in collaboration with the Sindh government through the Provincial Coordination Implementation Committee (PCIC) set up to oversee the plan. All stakeholders will share responsibilities to ensure that the projects are completed on time.
The prime minister arrived in Karachi on a one-day visit where he announced the massive package. It was welcoming to see the Chief Minister alongside him, but deep animosity and mistrust remain between the Centre and the Sindh government. The PPP-led provincial government has claimed the funds belong to the people of Sindh and should also be spent on the rest of the province.
Karachi is considered the economic hub but has long been a victim of neglect and indifference. The PPP and MQM-P which have ruled the city for over a decade have failed to resolve the myriad of problems and have blamed each other. The recent monsoon rainfall battered the city leaving it flooded and without power for many days until finally, the authorities realised to take matters seriously.
The city has now received the attention of civil and military leaders who made promises to work for its development and prosperity. This week, the army chief was in town for a two-day visit while even PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif arrived claiming he would transform the city. Karachi has been pitied by all political forces while it actually needs their complete attention.
It needs to be seen if this relief package will be implemented and projects will be completed on time. It is imperative that both sides keep their political difference aside so that residents can have a sigh of relief that their grievances have been finally answered. This package is just a patch on the injustice Karachi has endured for the past several years.
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