KARACHI: Politicians demand more seats for Karachi
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Feb 19: Various political and religious leaders, at an all-parties conference here on Tuesday, demanded of the government to increase the number of seats in the legislative assemblies for Karachi on the basis of its present population.
“No immigrants be granted the right to vote in Sindh,” one of the resolutions adopted at the conference said.
The conference, presided over by Baseer Naved, was addressed by Prof ND Khan of PPP; Dr Abdul Hai Baloch of BNM; Yusuf Masti Khan of NWP; ML (F)’s Bostan Ali Hoti; Khan Amanullah Khan of PML (Q); Haji Hanif Tayyab of JUP (M); JSM’s Abdul Khaliq Junejo and others.
Terming the proposed electoral reforms of the government insufficient, the conference welcomed restoration of the joint electorate system but objected to the preparation of voters’ list on the basis of religion.
Demanding more representation for women in the parliament, the resolution pointed out that women constituted 50 per cent of the population of Pakistan and had been playing an important role in the national economy and politics. “They deserved due representation not only on the basis of their party affiliation but should also be given an opportunity for direct elections. Likewise, 5 per cent representation be given to workers,” it added.
The conference observed that Karachi, being the largest industrial and business centre of the country, was generating over 70 per cent revenue, but in the 1972, 1981 and 1998 censuses it had been deprived of its due rights by showing its population below the actual figures.
Demanding increase in the number of seats for Karachi in the national and the provincial assemblies, the resolution recalled that according to the official figures, annual population growth rate in the country had been 3 per cent, while in Karachi the annual rate was 6 per cent — 3 per cent natural increase rate and 3 per cent due to influx of the immigrants.
“By ignoring the annual 6 per cent increase in the population of Karachi, the National Reconstruction Bureau has not only restrained the city’s political representation but has also deprived Sindh, including Karachi, of its due share in the development funds. While determining the assembly seats in other provinces, their population living in Sindh, particularly in Karachi, has also been shown in their respective provinces.”
The conference demanded that in view of 150 million population of Karachi, its seats in the National Assembly be fixed at 30 and in the Sindh assembly it should be increased to 65.
During the conference, PPP and BNM leaders demanding fair and free elections under the 1973 Constitution under a caretaker government, said the military government had no right to amend the Constitution.
The APC criticized the government’s move to restrain non-graduate citizens from contesting in the elections and termed the decision a gross violation of basic human rights, adds PPI.
“Government has no right to deprive the people of Pakistan of their fundamental rights,” one of the resolutions said, and posed a question that when a non-graduate labourer has the right to cast his vote, as to why he could not seek votes from others. It is the prerogative of the masses to repose their trust on any candidate and this should not be decided by the rulers.
N. D. Khan said that his party was ready to make alliance with any party for the supreme cause of democracy.
Maulana Abdullah Wato was of the view that strong Senate and political institution were signs of strong Pakistan.
President Balochistan National Party Abdul Hai Baloch suggested to organize the working class to get ride of the oppressors in the country.
