THE coastal areas of Karachi were stronghold of the PPP. The PPP lost some of its seats in coastal areas in last general elections in 2013. Former PPP MNA, Qadir Patel and former PPP MPA, Nadeem Bhutto lost their seats in the elections.

They had been disconnected with the voters, which had created a political vacuum. The political vacuum is still existing.

Such policies will definitely damage the coming elections. The fishermen have reservations about the former PPP MNAs and MPAs. There are as many as 1,200 villages along the coastal belt stretching from Mubarak village in the west district up to Lath Basti in Bin Qasim Town.

Each village, comprising small huts, has a population of around 2,000 to 10,000. Although nearly all these are centuries old, the authorities concerned are yet to come up with a comprehensive plan that could give the fishermen population proper healthcare, education, electricity, harbour and ownership rights.

Sarfraz Haroon

Mubarak Village, Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2018