During a budget session in the Sindh Assembly, Jamaat-e-Islami MPA Muhammad Farooq made a passionate plea to the Chief Minister of Sindh, urging immediate action to resolve Karachi’s severe water crisis. Highlighting that 65% of Karachi’s population lacks access to water, Farooq demanded practical steps to alleviate the shortage. During the speech, Farooq emphasized that the water crisis falls squarely on the government’s shoulders.
He called for an upgrade to water pumping infrastructure and insisted that all work in his Shah Faisal constituency be halted for a year to prioritize water issues. He has consistently raised concerns about water shortages in the assembly, underscoring the government’s duty to provide essential services such as health and education. Farooq criticized the imposition of taxes on the poor, stating that the government has followed the federal budget’s lead in burdening the lower-income groups. He pointed out that 80-90% of Karachi’s children attend private schools due to inadequate public education facilities. Moreover, public hospitals are scarce and those that exist lack capacity.
The MPA demanded the immediate withdrawal of taxes on the education and health sectors. He also questioned the necessity of taxes imposed by the Mayor on Karachi’s citizens, including toll taxes on common roads. Farooq highlighted that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board is taking loans from the World Bank, and criticized the establishment of new institutions like KLC and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, which are not under the town’s control.
He questioned the mayor’s role, suggesting it is limited to ceremonial activities. Regarding transportation, Farooq described the situation as a serious joke, noting that only Rs. 4.5 crore has been allocated for the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), despite ongoing encroachments on its tracks. He criticized the substantial funds allocated for the Chief Minister’s house, over Rs. 1 billion, while neglecting the Karachi Mass Transit Program. Farooq called on the Chief Minister and the energy minister to revoke K-Electric’s license, accusing the company of flouting the government’s manifesto. He also noted the absence of the Safe City Project in the budget, despite previous commitments. He highlighted the plight of small farmers, who lack fertilizer subsidies and must buy on the black market. He urged the government to address the issues of fishermen, who are restricted for three months each year despite contributing to the economy through foreign exchange earnings.
