KARACHI, June 2: Deputy convenor of the Muttahida Qaumi Movemnet’s coordination committee and its parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, Dr Farooq Sattar, on Friday claimed that his party had done a lot to improve the living condition of the people of Lyari and promised to transform the hitherto neglected locality into a modern and thriving hub of social and economic activity.

Speaking at a news conference in Kakri ground, a day ahead of the MQM founder Altaf Hussain’s telephonic address to a public rally at the same place, Dr Farooq Sattar also outlined development package for the town which was suffering from water shortage and lack of sanitation and other amenities and blamed Pakistan People’s Party and other opposition entities for not doing anything for Lyari and merely engaging in slogan-mongering.

Dr Farooq Sattar, who was accompanied by the coordination committee in charge Anwar Alam and members Waseem Aftab and Shoaib Bukhari recalled the various development projects initiated and completed by the MQM-led City District Government, and accused the PPP of criminal neglect of the people and held it responsible for their plight and impoverishment due to years of neglect.

Dr Farooq Sattar also referred to the provincial government’s action against criminal elements and the various under-world gangs which had virtually made the people hostage.

He said since the police action law and order situation in the city, particularly in Lyari, had improved.

The MQM’s deputy convenor claimed that in a few months the water problem of the area would be solved and every house in Lyari would get clean drinking water from the tap after completion of 33-inch dia water pipeline that would supply 60 MGD to the area at a cost of Rs 390 million.

Dr Farooq Sattar said this dedicated pipeline was initiated by the City Nazim on Friday as part of Haq Parast leadership’s commitment to the people. He added that for the adjoining area water would be provided through a separate line at a cost of Rs 2.4 million. He also announced two mobile utility stores as immediate relief to the poor neighbourhood.

He said the MQM was well aware of hardships of the residents of Lyari.