The Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) has, since April 2004, initiated a study aiming at proposing a vision for revitalization and future development of Karachi as an attractive economic centre.
The study team has already conducted two workshops at Karachi and has started review of the city characteristics and current conditions and met some of the stakeholders.
A Japanese delegation called on July 6 on the City Nazim at the Civic Centre to exchange views who recounted the concerted measures which the CDGK was taking to develop recreation spots and coastal areas of Karachi. He also mentioned that six Mass Transit Corridors in Karachi have been identified to provide better transportation facilities to the citizens.
It may be recalled that the Sindh Governor, speaking at a meeting at Governor House on 23rd April 2004 had stressed upon implementation of a coordinated plan for Vision Karachi.
He has also directed the concerned officers to formulate a master plan in this respect. The newspapers have reported the exchange of views in the second workshop held in Karachi on 8th July 2004.
Some of the points that emerged from discussion include the need for upgrading of industrial infrastructure, implementation of police reforms, special focus for resolving problems of industry, lack of new jobs opportunities with adverse effects on the peace of civil society, need for improvement in quality and quantity of education, lack of amusement and entertainment opportunities, need for harmony in communities rather than conflict, policy planning needed for cheap and efficient transport and organized traffic, administrative and legal reforms in the bodies managing land, housing, water supply, drainage and sanitation, solid waste management and electricity; need for public private partnership in the service sector, building of the Southern By-Pass, etc.
The problems of Karachi are deep-rooted and resolution of each problem needs a critical study thorough frank discussion among the stakeholders. Karachi, the most important city in the country, has not been receiving the patronage or development funding it deserved for its revitalization and development.
At one time Karachi was known as the City of Lights but over the years the quality of life and the standard of infrastructure has deteriorated. The present government has provided special Karachi Package for developing certain infrastructure but much more needs to be done.
You talk to an average old Karachiite about Karachi of yesterdays. He or she would open up with nostalgia and talk about its cleanliness, peaceful atmosphere with little fear of mugging or robberies, cheap and convenient transport, numerous eating places mostly run by the people of Iranian origin, regular electric and water supply, a large number of well-kept parks for children and grown-ups, harmony among the people from different areas and communities, easy availability of accommodation at low rent, ample job opportunities, educational institutions providing quality education at nominal fees, hospitals offering health services at reasonable charges, etc. The aged Karachiites earnestly wish for those times to return and would certainly pray for those who make it happen.
The young Karachiites, though more modern and worldly, wish to live in a city where life and property are secure without fear of mugging, dacoity or kidnap for ransom, the law enforcement agencies are cordial, streets roads and footpaths are clean of solid waste, no overflow of sewerage water or pools of stagnant water, no beggars at roads or footpaths or public places frequented by the people, no encroachment particularly of footpaths which should be exclusively for walking of visitors and tourists, smooth flow of vehicular traffic on all important roads in spite of the VVIP movement, tourists friendly transport arrangements and clean modes of public or private transport.
These innocent desires are known even without JBIC report and can easily be managed by the authorities for our people. The same facilities are desired by the foreign investors/tourists in a country before they decide to invest or plan a holiday. We should all resolve to provide that.
We should be thankful to the government of Japan for JBIC study and remain in touch with JBIC for technical assistance, grants and loans to implement different development projects for revitalization of Karachi.
Earlier, the World Bank and the ADB had on 26th April jointly offered around $800 million to help undertake a five-year Mega City Renewal Programme (MCRP) to rehabilitate Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar.
These international financing institutions have, according to press news, agreed to help stop the running down of these important cities. The World Bank and the ADB are the source of technical assistance grants and loan funds for various development projects.
At a time when own resources are insufficient for financing development, loans and grants from these institutions, in my opinion, are the best for any country. However, the benefits of loans from these institutions are linked to the care we exercise in the selection and preparation of development projects; negotiation of terms and conditions attached thereto; and close monitoring of the implementation process.
After all they are also lenders. For revitalization of Karachi these sources might also be selectively tapped. The proposed master plan as ordered by the Governor Sindh is the burning need at the moment and it would help resolve many problems affecting Karachi.
Some of such matters are: (i) Shifting out inter-city bus-stands/truck-stands, chemical warehouses, small industrial establishments, etc from residential areas to other appropriate places, (ii) setting up effluent treatment plants, (iii) re-establishing the sanctity of amenity plots and safeguarding open spaces in the city, (iv) areas to be further developed for housing, and (v) streamlining and management of vehicular traffic generated particularly due to ports, airports and different industrial estates.
A Master plan duly adopted and implemented would lay the sound foundation for the revitalization of the city on proper lines. The revitalization of Karachi is not difficult provided the authorities as well as the Karachiites resolve to do it together in a systematic manner.
The first pre-requisite of this participatory approach is that all the stakeholders join hands in matters matters such as allocation of functions, delegation of powers, sharing of funds, etc and perhaps with some of the other large stakeholders as well.
Normally, realization of project objectives is directly linked to the amount actually allocated as well as the value-for-money achieved in implementation. Higher the value for money achieved the better and longer lasting the city infrastructure project.
Through good government, the implementation of projects should be made more efficient and orderly, with proper monitoring of the pace and quality of work and strict auditing of the expenditure. The aim should be to keep wastage and leakages to the minimum and make the entire process cost-effective.
