Great analysis of the current situation. The PMLN as a honest broker was only able to build consensus to disarm the gangs. They were not able to come up with consensus on how to solve other administrative issues of the city.
There is also the simple mindedness of the ruling military and civil establishment. They are simply out of their depth to understand the complexities involved in running one of the biggest cities in the world. They are poorly educated (most of them have BA or Intermediate education), don't take advice or consultation, and are mostly keen on getting their share of the pie before time runs out (usually they have just 3/4 year window).
On the one hand they have billions of rupees worth of real estate money. On the other hand, a chance to work on the greatest cities in the world. They often choose the first one and run off to their tax Havens.
Due to this reason a local political party like jamat e Islami or MQM are pushed away from electoral victory by engineered elections. The first one has grass root precense in the city since 50s, and the later is still the most popular political party in the city.
You cannot rule a city in your own country like a colony. It is dangerous.
Karachi needs representation and power sharing by making it a province. This gives the city, a seat on the table NFC where money comes from and NSC where money is controlled.
I believe Representation is the answer to Karachi's misery.
Well done. This is first email I read in the Monday morning. Absolutely spot on Uzair. It is very good diagnostic. This issue should not be buried after the Moonsoon is over, as traditionally it has been. I suggest, if your team could do a follow up on this after couple of months. This is very interesting and engaging. If we have detailed recommendations for each institutions with responsibility matrix, it will be great contribution.
Very helpful. It seems like the intersection of climate change, urbanization, economics, and local politics will have a profound bearing on the future of Karachi and Pakistan. Anyone who cares about the country should be paying attention. Concerned that too many South Asia security watchers aren't giving this enough thought.
Consolidating all powers in the hands of the elected local government should be priority number one, everything related to governance flows from there being a single power center that actually has the authority to implement change - in fact, the 18th amendment provides a roadmap for this. Ironically, Karachi is a uniquely orphaned city - one that has dozens of fathers (KMC, cantonments, PQA, DHA, LDA, MDA, you name it) but none that wants to own it.
Great analysis of the current situation. The PMLN as a honest broker was only able to build consensus to disarm the gangs. They were not able to come up with consensus on how to solve other administrative issues of the city.
There is also the simple mindedness of the ruling military and civil establishment. They are simply out of their depth to understand the complexities involved in running one of the biggest cities in the world. They are poorly educated (most of them have BA or Intermediate education), don't take advice or consultation, and are mostly keen on getting their share of the pie before time runs out (usually they have just 3/4 year window).
On the one hand they have billions of rupees worth of real estate money. On the other hand, a chance to work on the greatest cities in the world. They often choose the first one and run off to their tax Havens.
Due to this reason a local political party like jamat e Islami or MQM are pushed away from electoral victory by engineered elections. The first one has grass root precense in the city since 50s, and the later is still the most popular political party in the city.
You cannot rule a city in your own country like a colony. It is dangerous.
Karachi needs representation and power sharing by making it a province. This gives the city, a seat on the table NFC where money comes from and NSC where money is controlled.
I believe Representation is the answer to Karachi's misery.
Well done. This is first email I read in the Monday morning. Absolutely spot on Uzair. It is very good diagnostic. This issue should not be buried after the Moonsoon is over, as traditionally it has been. I suggest, if your team could do a follow up on this after couple of months. This is very interesting and engaging. If we have detailed recommendations for each institutions with responsibility matrix, it will be great contribution.
Very helpful. It seems like the intersection of climate change, urbanization, economics, and local politics will have a profound bearing on the future of Karachi and Pakistan. Anyone who cares about the country should be paying attention. Concerned that too many South Asia security watchers aren't giving this enough thought.
Great analysis. Seeing Karachi drown every year breaks my heart.
Consolidating all powers in the hands of the elected local government should be priority number one, everything related to governance flows from there being a single power center that actually has the authority to implement change - in fact, the 18th amendment provides a roadmap for this. Ironically, Karachi is a uniquely orphaned city - one that has dozens of fathers (KMC, cantonments, PQA, DHA, LDA, MDA, you name it) but none that wants to own it.