What has changed since the change of power?
Is local government performing even moderately well or not? If so, what's the source of the issue? What are the ambitions of federal government in taking over the control?
Does PTI have any chance to come to power in the city through the election. And if so, what is the action plan they have for the city?
I tried to learn how the system of local governance works in Karachi, but after reading public sources for 10 minutes it became clear that understanding that is beyond my ability.
I don't live in the city but have relatives there.
Brief Background w.r.t political parties:-
The city has/used to align with MQM mostly. This time they chose PTI for federal seats mostly. The problem is that the provincial govt belongs to PPP.
PPP is a corrupt party that syphons off budgetary funds allocated by the federal. This has resulted in lack of funds for the KHI city which is home to 20 M plus population out of 50 M sindh population.
Since our anti corruption dept/NAB is going after PPP (with several of their leaders in jail) with support of federal govt and the "boys" so they (PPP) are creating hurdle for KHI as the city chose PTI and provincial resources belong to PPP who are not willing to allocate them properly to KHI.
Problem:-
Due to 18th amendment among other issues federal cannot properly put the provincial govt to task.
Task being resolving following issues:
1.) Improving transport infrastructure.
KHI is home to 20 M people. The transport network need significant revamp as the number of cars keep increasing and roads are not being upgraded.
Public transport is BS with local transport mafia holding people hostage. SWVL and Airlift have entered into the market and are gradually expanding to provide van service but the solution is to add circular train and metro buses so that majority of the local traffic can be converted to this from cars and bikes resulting in reduced congestion. 2-3 years ago the number of registered bikes were 2.7 M (apart from cars which are 2 M plus as well). This figure is increasing exponentially.This is a ripe market for metro bus transport system.
I live in ISB and I have started using swvl since last few weeks for the 50 KM round trip.
2.) Improving health services.
The population is rising exponentially. Obviously health services and network needs to be upgraded.
3.) Improving sanitation.
Needs organic increase with increase in population.
4.)Changing zoning laws.
Zoning laws are ancient. Need to improve floor to area ratio and allow more high rises and cheaper housing so that population living in slums and undeveloped areas can be facilitated. Alternative is to build new cities outside karachi and link them up via metro e.t.c
Currently due to lack of proper sanitation,infrastructure and due to housing facility issues we are reaching a flashpoint.
If the issues are not handled properly then we might face an HK like situation backed by foreign sponsors.
Fortunately we have a corp HQ and paramilitiary forces in the city but why should we reach that point.
Half hearted solution:
1.) Federal govt will be probably drag it along for another year and when the population is really fed up they will probably swoop in after enacting some emergency laws and federalize the management of the city.
2.) Alternative is to win next provincial and federal elections and change the laws to counter 18th amendment e.t.c. However, that will be too late and the city will not forgive the federal govt i.e PTI for this.
The probability of first is very high once things settle down on the border with India and if we put the PPP into a corner from which there is no escape.
The boys/establishment has dismantled/subdued to a greater instant TTP, MQM, BLA and PMLN.
Now next in line is PTM and PPP. In full support to the govt the boys will go for the jugular of PPP/PTM once things calm down with AFG and India.
Right now we have too many foreign policy issues at hand (Iran/US, AFG/US and India/PAK). We are economically not in a good position considering all the foreign debt outflows that reduce our FX reserves.
PTI is currently focusing on improving its federal revenue stream so that greater portion of it can be allocated to development of KHI and other cities.
There are members of parliament in PTI from KHI that are working to improve they city.
However, it wll take a long time for them to properly implement every thing.
Slowly but surely they will do it but I hope its not too late by then.
