HYDERABAD: Leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have urged the authorities to launch a decisive crackdown on alleged corruption in Sindh, saying that exposing financial irregularities would greatly benefit Pakistan’s struggling economy.
Speaking at a press conference at the Hyderabad Press Club, MNA Syed Waseem Hussain and Advocate Rashid Khan said that “rampant corruption” and “poor institutional performance” in Sindh have badly damaged public trust and jeopardised the future of the youth.
They alleged that public resources are being sacrificed for personal gains instead of public welfare, causing development projects to become tools for commissions, nepotism and political interests.
Referring to the collapse of an under-construction bridge in Ghotki and the suspension of a contractor of the Red Line bus rapid transit project in Karachi over alleged poor performance, they claimed corruption in development schemes has become a continuing burden on the people.
The MQM-P leaders alleged that politicians and senior bureaucrats have formed an organised corruption network, looting the national exchequer through irregularities in planning, tendering, construction and payments, while oversight mechanisms have completely failed.
They also claimed that the recent arrest of a trainee assistant mukhtiarkar during a raid at the deputy commissioner’s office is evidence that jobs obtained through money and influence have resulted in corruption and mismanagement.
They termed “corruption” as being not merely a financial crime but also a systematic attack on merit, justice and public rights. Criticising the Hyderabad Water Supply Corporation, they said that the institution has failed to fulfil its constitutional and administrative responsibility of providing clean drinking water to citizens.
They added that residents of Hyderabad, the second-largest city of Sindh, are facing severe water shortages ahead of Eidul Azha, while the authorities are allegedly strengthening the private hydrant system for financial gains instead of addressing public needs.
The MQM-P representatives also accused the district administration of distributing government jobs on political grounds. They claimed that grade-1 to grade-4 government jobs are the rightful entitlement of local residents, but appointments are allegedly being sold through favouritism and nepotism, depriving deserving youth of employment opportunities.
They warned the Hyderabad deputy commissioner against alleged irregularities in recruitment, saying that the MQM-P would hold a strong protest if jobs continue to be distributed unfairly.
The party leaders further alleged that valuable government land in Hyderabad and other urban districts of Sindh is being occupied systematically by land mafias with the support of influential figures and certain officials.
Referring to the freezing of 3,150 acres of Bahria Town land by the National Accountability Bureau, they called on the anti-graft watchdog to take indiscriminate action against corrupt elements and land grabbers to protect public assets for future generations.
