Karachi Political Diary
Mubasher Mir
The privatization of PIA has been criticized from all sides, but there has also been a bit of a joke, especially with the provinces showing interest in buying the airline. The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gave a statement and then the video of Mian Nawaz Sharif was released from America.
In fact, it is a national asset, but it was treated the same way as other national assets were treated in different periods of government. The Federal Ministry of Privatization was responsible for the privatization of PIA, but the seriousness aspect was neglected in the way this process was done. A real estate group even advertised it well on its TV channel and tried lobbying but was stingy in bidding for Pakistan's national brand, hence the case became a joke. The federal government should take note of this.
PIA has assets worth more than ten billion in Karachi. It was better for the federal government to sell PIA through Stock Exchange. In order to make the public a shareholder, still the federal government should sell the shares of PIA through the stock exchange, increasing the number of private directors will improve corporate governance.
At the Karachi Press Club, the Indus River Saving Conference was held, progressive leader Zain Shah criticized the Government of Pakistan and especially the President for planning to drain six more canals from Sindh. While the Arsa Act is also being amended, he was of the view that less water than Sindh is falling into the sea due to which a large part of the land is being exposed to the sea. An indication has been given to run a movement for this, thus GDA has also spoken about protecting the water of Sindh. The provincial government started the reconstruction of Sukkur Barrage a few days ago, seven canals originate from Sukkur Barrage which irrigate the lands of Sindh.
The reason for the land of Sindh to be seaward is that the river does not flow throughout the year. For this, it is necessary to build dams so that the water flow in the river continues throughout the year. Attention should be paid to securing the Indus Delta, where the Indus River joins the sea. Progressive leader Zain Shah also criticized the 26th constitutional amendment, which he believed sought to undermine the independence of the judiciary.
A resolution has been passed in the Sindh Assembly under Article 202 of the Constitution under which a constitutional bench will also be formed in the High Court. 123 members of People's Party and MQM supported it as if MQM did not discuss it even though it was in the opposition in the Sindh Assembly as per its federal policy.
Jamaat-e-Islami and Sunni Ittehad Council (Tehreek-e-Insaf) opposed this resolution. In any assembly, if the members do not debate and discuss a resolution, bill or act, but put a stamp of approval on it, then it does not fulfill the requirements of democracy. The party policy should at least be such that the members should be free to express their opinions.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has severely criticized the current government and termed Mian Nawaz Sharif's victory from Lahore National Assembly constituency as doubtful. He says that if Form 45 is decided regarding the election, then the current system will not be able to stand. The present ruler and style of governance is a burden.
Two billion are being spent on the planes of the President and the Prime Minister. According to recent reports, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and his delegation have stayed in expensive hotels during their visit to Saudi Arabia.
President Asif Ali Zardari, who is in Dubai on a private visit where his stay has been extended by a sprained foot, public opinion is that the President should have no problem returning by his special plane. Because they can be treated better in Pakistan.
The US elections have started and the impact of its results in Pakistan is under discussion, many people are of the opinion that in case of Donald Trump's victory, there will be a change in the US policy towards Pakistan.
