Karachi Political Diary
Mubasher Mir
Pakistan Day is celebrated every year in memory of the Pakistan Resolution, when celebrations were held to commemorate the passing of the Lahore Resolution on 23 March 1940. A historic convention was held under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah from 22 to 24 March 1940 in which the All India Muslim League passed a resolution to grant autonomous status to Muslim majority areas. This resolution was presented by Maulvi AK Fazal Haq while it was prepared by a committee of nine people. Later, it was renamed the Pakistan Resolution and the Minar-e-Pakistan was built in Minto Park in its memory. On every national day, the question arises as to why the objectives of Pakistan's existence were not fulfilled. Why could Pakistan not become an ideal state? The answer is very simple, colonial thinking is still prevalent among the rulers in Pakistan, under which this country is being ruled, the people have not been given a share in power.
On the occasion of Pakistan Day, the President of Pakistan also bestowed high civil awards. Surprisingly, every year some awardees are controversial, as if some awards are decorated based on personal desires. Karachi-based businessman and the President’s right-hand man Khawaja Anwar Majeed has been awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, which is considered the most controversial award. The President’s speech is being commented on social media and his act of awarding his friend is also under criticism. The award given to Umar Farooq was also surprising everyone. At a ceremony held at the Governor House in Sindh, the Governor of Sindh has also given an award to the Vice Chancellor of Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Dr. Samreen Hussain, the wife of the President’s friend and PPP leader Dr. Asim Hussain. Although she is the head of a higher educational institution, questions are also being raised about her being the wife of a former petroleum adviser. Awards are a recognition of the services of any individual by the state, so it should be based on merit.
On 21st Ramadan, a peaceful procession was taken out on Ali Day, and gatherings were held to mark the martyrdom of the fourth Caliph, Amir-ul-Mu'minin Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS). The main procession started from Nishtar Park. Hazrat Ali's personality is known in Islamic history for his courage, patience, and eloquence. He was counted among the loyal companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). To pay tribute to his bravery, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has named the highest award for martyrdom in the Pakistani armed forces as "Nishan-e-Haider". It is given for setting a high example of bravery. Hazrat Ali's decisions are considered prominent in history, while the book containing his sermons is Nahjh ul Balagha. Hazrat Ali's biography was written by Mufti Jafar Hussain, which was published as Seerat Amir-ul-Mu'minin. His Caliphate was a symbol of justice and fairness. A detailed book was written on this by the Lebanese Christian researcher " George Jordac " which was published in 1956. Its English translation was published as Voice of Human Justice. Hazrat Ali's letter to his governor of Egypt, Malik Ashtar, was a high example of guidance on governance.
The discussion on the upcoming budget in the Sindh Assembly has been completed, the purpose of which was to decide what the new year’s budget should be like, on which the opposition leader took a pleading stance that the budget should be made for the people. The opposition in the Sindh Assembly seems to be working in a friendly manner. It is not in a position to create any difficult situation for the PPP. Since the PPP and MQM are the alliance parties of the PML-N in the federation, no major differences seem possible. The budget of the provincial governments is anyway influenced by the federal budget. They have to get money from the federation under the NFC, and they make their projects using it. So far, all the provincial governments have not given importance to education and health, while the local government system is not among their priorities. Without this, it does not seem possible for the condition of the people to improve. The provincial government has not yet been able to solve the two main problems of Karachi, clean water and transport.
MQM keeps presenting its complaints to the federal government, federal ministers are trying to reduce their grievances to appease them, now another of their members has been included in the federal cabinet, on MQM's complaint, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal attended a Zoom meeting from Saudi Arabia and MQM leaders also discussed Karachi projects with him.
The MQM's style of politics has weakened the case of Karachi, while the disgrace that was showered on the PTI is still ongoing. The people of Karachi and the business community are also raising their voices, but the federal government is not working directly on Karachi, while the provincial government's style of governance has become a serious problem for the citizens of Karachi. The mayorship of Karachi has also been handed over to the PPP, but despite this, the splendor of Karachi is not being restored. Only a better local government system can help to solve the problems.
Former federal minister and renowned jurist Barrister Khalid Anwar passed away in Karachi this month. He was the son of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Ali and father-in-law of Supreme Court Justice Muneeb Akhtar. He was 86 years old. He fought the case of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Supreme Court and as a result, Nawaz Sharif was restored to the prime ministership. Later, there were conflicting reports about how Mian Nawaz Sharif’s father Mian Muhammad Sharif influenced the case through his long-time friend and legal advisor Justice Rafiq Tarar, who was later elected President. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had strongly criticized the decision at the time and called it a " CHAMAK, “spark”. Barrister Khalid Anwar had complete access to constitutional matters, he was also elected a senator. Khalid Anwar was born in Delhi and died in Karachi.