Karachi: The MQM has issued a white paper against the Sindh government, in which the 16-year-old PPP government in Sindh has been termed the worst and most corrupt.
Senior MQM leaders Farooq Sattar, Nasreen Jalil and others, while holding a press conference against the provincial government, said that they have brought another lament for Karachi. A white paper is being prepared which is about the 16 years of worst and corrupt governance. The government employees who live in Karachi and work in local government institutions have dues of Rs 25 billion.
Farooq Sattar said that their monthly gratuity was being deducted in their 30-40 years of service. Government and civil institutions return the money and dues of the employees after retirement, but those who retired after 2017 have not yet received their dues. What could be a bigger economic murder than this?
He said that these are all Karachi institutions from which retired employees have not been paid their dues. The heads of these institutions are the Mayor of Karachi or the Minister for Local Governments by office. All these civic institutions are being run under the Sindh government. Since 2017, the control of these institutions has been snatched from the MQM and given to the wealthy landlords of Sindh.
Farooq Sattar said that the dues of 25 billion rupees of retired employees of Karachi have not been paid since 2017. Hyderabad is also deprived of basic rights for supporting Karachi. The responsibility for this also falls on the federation in some form or the other. After the 18th Amendment, it is the responsibility of the Sindh government to pay these dues.
The MQM leader said that the 10,000 employees of KMC towns together have dues of 15 billion rupees. 5,000 employees of Karachi Water Sewerage have dues of 6 billion rupees. More than 1,000 employees of KDA have dues of 5 billion rupees. Retired employees of WASA, HMC, HDA Hyderabad have dues of Rs 4, 5 billion.
He said that the next installment of the white paper on the mismanagement of the Sindh government will be released after Ramadan. The towns have refused to give jobs to retired employees of 25 towns of Karachi. Why are they being treated like stepmothers here too?
He said that in the new recruitments, jobs are being given to people with fake domiciles on our quota. Admissions and jobs are being given on bogus domiciles in Karachi-Hyderabad jobs and medical colleges. Along with the economic massacre of the citizens of Karachi, the Sindh government is also committing educational massacre, for which the Chief Minister, Mayor of Karachi and the Minister of Local Government are responsible.
He asked where the gratuity money of the employees went? The heads of the state institutions of Pakistan are the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Army Chief, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Sindh High Court. It should be asked where the Rs 25 billion went? This is the tax money of the people of Karachi, not the money of anyone’s father.
Farooq Sattar said that the salaries and benefits of the Chief Minister and provincial ministers are also paid from Karachi’s taxes. Where is the Karachi tax money coming from the center going? If everyone is getting this money, then these retired employees should also be given. Where did the 25 billion rupees go?
While holding a press conference, he said that the powerful figures of Pindi and Islamabad should listen to our lament, pay attention. This is toying with the strength and stability of Pakistan.
He said that retired employees are not alone. MQM has returned to Pakistan. Someone thought that we are busy with reorganization, they are wrong. We are strong, organized and united. After Ramadan, we will tell the price of flour and lentils. This is a warning from a wise friend. We have withdrawn our cooperation from the Sindh government for the time being, now both hands will clap.
On the question of cooperation with Afaq Ahmed, Chairman of the Muhajir Qaumi Movement, he said that may Allah bring back the memory of 1986 for all of us. Afaq Ahmed had been requested to come together with everyone. Now is not the time for small rivers and streams to flow separately. Afaq Ahmed had rejected that appeal.
