“The city does not just need an Army operation. Bring development projects under your control as well. You led similar projects in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alongside the anti-terrorism operation,” he said, addressing the COAS at a rally in Liaquatabad area, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s traditional stronghold. Expressing concerns over provincial and local governments’ inaction in tackling Karachi’s issues, Kamal said all municipal bodies of the city had been snatched from Karachi residents.
“Hospitals are in bad condition. Medicines are hard to come by. Karachi’s residents are forced to drink toxic water,” he said.
The PSP chief expressed remorse over the fact that Karachi was deprived of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects as well.
He said the Sindh government claimed to have spent billions of rupees on the education sector but seven million children still remained out of schools.
Kamal urged the security establishment to pardon the misled youth of Karachi in the same manner as it had done in Balochistan. “Forgive the youth of Karachi like you did in Balochistan by taking weapons from criminals and giving them flowers and cash to start a new life,” he said.
The Sindh government was conspiring against Karachi residents by changing the composition of constituencies. “The whole country will suffer the consequences,” he said. Kamal said the population of the city had been underreported in the census. “When we aren’t even counted properly, then we have the right to stand up for being counted,” he added.
Kamal criticised Sindh chief minister saying that he was involved in gerrymandering in the city.
Published in Daily Times, December 25th 2017.
