KARACHI, Aug 10: Leaders of different political parties at a seminar here on Wednesday described tolerance in political leaders as ‘need of the hour’ for the prosperity and progress of Karachi.

Among those who spoke at the seminar on Local Government Election: Concerns, Reservations and Future of Karachi were Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly, Waseem Akhtar, Adviser to the CM on Local Government and Hanif Tayyab, a leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan.

They discussed different aspects of the local government and devolution of powers.

Mr Khuhro criticized certain steps taken by the government, and claimed that the non-party elections were meant for dividing the nation on community basis. “The government is trying to create a certain atmosphere in which it can ensure the desired results of the local body election,” he alleged.

He observed that powers of the local government had been taken away by authorizing the chief minister to suspend nazims and initiate inquiries against them.

Haji Hanif Tayyab was of the view that the law and order situation in Karachi was not good. He said that the chief election commissioner appeared powerless to implement his orders.

The JUP leader also criticized the former city nazim, Niamatullah Khan, for claiming credit of the development work carried out in the city. “In fact, the credit goes to President Musharraf who had approved Rs29 billion for the uplift work in Karachi.”

He, however, emphasize the need for political tolerance during and after the local body elections.

Supporting the JUP leader’s call, Mr Waseem Akhtar criticized Niamatullah Khan, claiming that no proposal on city uplift had been submitted to the federal authorities by his team. “It’s the Sindh government that has submitted the same,” he contended.

Differing the views of Mr Khuhro, the adviser said that the local body election was an opportunity for devolution of powers and, thus, must be grabbed.

—PPI