April 24, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 17, 1429

KARACHI, April 23: The landslide victory achieved by the Pakistan People’s Party in the Feb 18 elections in Sindh had rekindled the hope that Lyari — the densely populated town believed to be a stronghold of the party since its inception — would get due attention regarding its chronic problems like basic amenities, poverty, pollution, unemployment, illiteracy, drugs and law and order. However, the legislators — one MNA and two MPAs — the town has sent to the elected houses have failed to find a place in the federal or provincial cabinets.

Leaders of various political groups and civil society organisations based in Lyari have started expressing their sheer disappointment over the PPP leadership’s indifference towards the town’s representation at the provincial government level, apprehending that Lyari might continue to be neglected during the PPP rule.

After experiencing what the local political and social organisations describe as the “worst-ever repression” during the Gen Zia era, people of Lyari heaved a sigh of relief when PPP returned to power corridors. In its two tenures before Gen Musharraf staged a coup, the party under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto could not match the level of public welfare in Lyari that had been maintained by it in the 70s. However, Lyariites were happy with whatever the party did for them.

Now when a significant change in the party’s top leadership and policies is witnessed, PPP workers and supporters in this southern part of the city fear that Lyari may remain a victim of neglect despite contributing significantly towards the party’s struggle for the restoration of democracy.

In the ’70s, PPP’s policies had worked effectively to alleviate poverty in Lyari as a large number of youths got jobs abroad, mainly in the Middle East, and their remittances improved their families’ standard of living. The situation abruptly changed in the ’80s and ’90s as the youths started returning home amid shrinking job market in the Middle East.

The situation was exploited by the drug mafia which lured youths of Lyari into their trade, allegedly with the help of the local police. Gradually, many pockets of Lyari were turned into the strongholds of the mafia and there was a mushroom growth of gangs and dens. Unemployment, lack of basic amenities, poverty and exploitation, coupled with frustration, gave a boost to the mafia’s trade and, as a result, many parts of Lyari are now ruled by gangsters. Shooting and gang warfare has already left scores of people dead and injured while poor living conditions and extortion by gangsters have made people’s life miserable.

Leaders of various political and social organisations believe that growing resentment among the people of Lyari could turn into turmoil unless remedial measures were taken immediately by the popular party’s leadership.