Following heavy losses in the middle of torrential rains, the Muttahida Qaumi-Pakistan (MQM-P) movement has demanded that Karachi be declared an area affected by the disaster and taxes are exempt.
The leader of MQM-Pakistan, Dr. Farooq Sattar, Syed Aminul Haq, Ali Khurshidi and MPA held a press conference at the temporary headquarters of MQM in Bahadurabad about the current situation in the metropolis on Wednesday.
Speaking with the media, Sattar said that government insensitivity has restricted citizens to their homes, adding that provincial governments and the city of Pakistan Party Party should admit their failures. He said that leadership and MQM-P activists remained on the ground to help citizens stranded on clogged roads for hours.
The feeling of insecurity among citizens was mostly seen during the rain spell, said the leader of MQM-P, and added that if a fair system is established in Karachi, it is not a big problem to maintain an adequate drainage system. He questioned how long the PPP will deceive Karachi people with silly excuses.
Despite usurping the resources and powers of the province, the provincial government has left the citizens of Karachi defenseless, he said. He demanded that Karachi be declared an area affected by the disaster and that he is exempt from all federal and provincial taxes.
Sattar said Karachi has been dealing with the large number of problems despite the numerous resources, and adding the city drain system can support 400 mm of rain if the drains are properly cleaned. He said that the Sindh government had collected RS22 billion in 17 years, but did not even spend RS22. “Where are Jamaat-E-Islami and PTI in the whole situation?” He asked.
The MQM-P leader said that the rain emergency organization is dysfunctional despite several notices of heavy rains in the city. The provincial government has practically separated Karachi from Sindh through its apathy towards the problems of the city. In addition, he questioned the income received from the NDMA as Rain aid fund.
