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city
calling health sight political
city
calling After allegedly spending millions of rupees over six decades on the government-owned residential accommodation, the residents of Pakistan Quarters seek ownership rights to the dilapidated structures that they claim are now their homes. By Sabeen Jamil "There are no
government quarters like ours in the entire Pakistan," claims
Rafique Sarhadi, an "The government was very selfish towards us," Sarhadi complains while sitting on one of the old sofas set against the dilapidated walls of his small quarter. The two-room quarter, covered by a decaying tin roof that is buttressed by pale yellow walls with gray-coloured, termite-infested doors, was allotted to Sarhadi by the Pakistan Government in the 1970s. He was serving as the Director Films and Publications, Ministry of Information, where he worked on a number of videos and movies as a story writer, editor and director. His list of videos includes that of "Pakistan's national anthem, the movie Mehtab famed for its song 'Gol Guppay Walla' and the video of the song 'Aye Mard-e-Mujahid Jaag Zara," Sarhadi recalls while flipping through a thick, ragged yellow file carrying records of his contributions during his 21-year-long service as a federal government employee. He retired as a grade-16 officer in 1986. Decades after his
retirement, Sarhadi, who has now developed a hunched back and is fast
loosing his Victims of neglect? A visit to Pakistan Quarters proves the validity of Sarhadi's claim. 'Worn out and dilapidated' is how a majority of these quarters can be safely defined. The flooring on the majority of quarters is worn out while the walls and doors have not seen paints for ages. Termites have made a home in the majority of quarters. The tin roofs are dilapidated and now fail to prevent quarter-dwellers from the sun or rain water, which trickles down into their homes destroying their rugs and furniture. Last summer alone,
rain water flooded some 70 houses including that of Sarhadi and remained Sarhadi, however was not among those residents of the Quarters who could afford to have his roof rebuilt and instead had to continue living at the quarter 100 D despite adverse conditions. Yet, he doesn't plan on leaving his quarter, "because I couldn't save enough from the government job to make a better home for my self," he tells Kolachi adding that government employees like him who earn Rizq-e-Halal (an honest living) do not end up saving enough after retirement to afford comfortable housing. Sarhadi adds that he doesn't want to leave Pakistan Quarters also because he, like many others living here, has invested a lot on these quarters in the form of monthly rent deducted earlier from his salary and now from his pension money. "No matter how dilapidated, this is my only shelter in the world," Sarhadi says solemnly, adding that this quarter is the only place in the world he can call home. Successive governments in Pakistan however, think differently, believing that the state owns Pakistan Quarters. Therefore, every few years, the residents of Pakistan Quarters are issued notices to vacate their quarters for having occupied them 'illegally' The political tussle "They tell us to
vacate our quarters because it is government property," Sarhadi
informs, referring to After the scandal was unearthed, there were rumors that the occupants of Pakistan Quarters will be evicted by the government. However, the matter was apparently settled when the Kakar assured that no one will be evicted as residents of the government quarters were paying their rent regularly. Nonetheless, the residents of Pakistan Quarters cannot help but talk about where they would end up if evicted. Sarhadi tells Kolachi that the rumors had sapped all his energy and happiness gathered after receiving the 'eligibility for ownership certificate.' "I had started thinking about renovating my home instead of constantly fearing that would end up on the streets." Sarhadi says that the notice of eviction is not a new phenomenon for the residents of Pakistan Quarters as they have been receiving such notices from the government of Pakistan since the 1980s. However, by receiving the "eligible for ownership" certificate, they had heaved a sigh of relief. "My fear of being thrown out on the streets has returned now," says Sarhadi who, like many of the residents of Pakistan Quarters, has no shelter if evicted from their dilapidated and congested tin-roofed quarters. Love Lane: tales of unfulfilled promises Given as a shelter to the employees of the federal government of the newly-established state of Pakistan in 1947, the land, now called Pakistan Quarters (aka Lawrence Road Quarters), belonged originally to Byramji Hermanji Ghadiali. The land of that time is believed to have had a farm house with clusters of fruit-bearing trees alongside the road that stretches between the Zoo and Pakistan Colony of today. Some say that it was because of its beauty that the lane was named 'Love Colony.' Others believe that since it was very peaceful and far from the city, which was only up to the bank of Lyari Nadi in those days, it was a heaven for love birds and thus called 'Love Colony.' Whatever the reason was, it was decided that the land facing Love Lane was to be provided as a shelter to those employees of the federal government of pre-partition India who opted to migrate and help run the government in Pakistan. Thus, Pakistan Quarters, with 70 shades built by government, became the first ever expansion outside Karachi after partition. It was also the first housing scheme for government officials in Karachi. Looming uncertainty It is claimed by the President of the Pakistan Quarters Residence Society, Ibrahim Awan, that the residents of the quarters were given these quarters on a temporary basis, for the period of ten years if provided with an alternate accommodation; else these quarters would become their permanent residence. Leased by the Bombay Provincial Government for 80 years in 1915, the said land was occupied by the Government of Pakistan and given to the Rent Control Department in 1953 and later to the Estate Office in 1955. The residents claim that since then they do remember paying off regular rent, which ranges from Rs600 to Rs3,000, but they do not remember the Estate Office spending enough on their rehabilitation in return. Interestingly, contrary to what is customary, the old residents of Pakistan Quarters, such as Sarhadi, do not get nostalgic while talking about the good old days they spent here or the way it has changed. "There has been no evolution as such over the years," they explain. They add that the last time the government spent on these quarters was in 1947. In the Bhutto era during the late 1970s, an attempt was made to replace the tin-roofs with RCC roof tops. However, it couldn't materialise as a report by the Federation of Architects and Engineers suggested that the quarters had outlived their duration and were not strong enough to support that kind of development. Besides that, all they remember of the past is receiving eviction notices from the government and staging protest demonstrations against them. Salma, a wife of one of the retired officials living in the quarters, recalls that they have been receiving eviction notices since the early 1980s. "Every election every political party promises to resolve the matter for good. However, they do not return once they make it to ministries against our votes." Besides unfulfilled promises of the political parties, the residents also remember the promises of providing alternate accommodation made by those in power in different times. Aiwan tells Kolachi that one such promise was made during Bhutto's government where a multi-storey flat was proposed to be provided to the residents. The other promise was the announcement of the ownership rights in 1992 – but that too never materialised. "We have always lived in uncertainty," Salma says. She adds that this uncertain condition never lets the residents of Pakistan Quarters live peacefully as some of them never renovate their houses fearing eviction and wasting their money. While those who do go ahead and improve their homes also live in worry, fearing the same. Salma says that it was only during the reign of the MQM-led city government that some development could be seen. "Though they were not responsible for it," she says referring to the fact that these quarters do not fall in the jurisdiction of city government, "they installed a few sewerage lines and cleaned the roads." Aiwan suggests that, given this performance of the CDGK, the Pakistan Quarters should be transferred to the city government or the provincial government. After receiving the eligible for owner ship certificates, a lot of residents suggest the same. Residents propose Another resident Nisar Ahmed seconds this proposal and suggests that if it cannot materialize then the houses should at least be leased and the residents should be given ownership rights as "the government built us four walled structures while we developed them ourselves," he adds. While talking about the ownership certificates, residents of the quarter say that even though the certificates only made them "eligible" for ownership, they were a source of great satisfaction. However, the whole issue became a scandal after a few of them were sold off for Rs1.9 million by some unauthorised people who were not allotted quarters by the Estate Office. "Unlike unauthorised residents," Nisar says of some 73 quarters alleged to have been occupied by non-federal government employees who reportedly sold almost 10 quarters after receiving eligibility certificates, "we preferred staying here and waiting for our legal right to get ownership instead of selling the plots to unauthorized people." Nisar says this government should show some leniency towards the authorised residents who have spent years and millions of rupees on these quarters waiting to get ownership Some residents, however, believe that, given the value of the land, it is difficult to expect that common people, such as retired government officials, will be given possession of this property. "If it doesn't happen," says Sarhadi "we won't leave from here. We have spent our gratuity, our pension, and our income in the form of rent and now we are left with no money to buy a home for ourselves. We won't let anyone displace us," adds Sarhadi vowing that he will be staying here till death. Ownership rights a tenable demand? However, Tariq Solangi, sub engineer in the PWD, the department responsible for the maintenance of Pakistan Quarters, regards ownership as an unjust demand by the residents. "Those who were promised to be given alternate accommodation in 1947 are no more," he says, adding that, though given their services to the state and the investments they have made on their respective quarters they should be entitled to ownership rights, "it doesn't necessarily have to be in Pakistan Quarters." Solangi, while accepting negligence on part of the government in maintaining the quarters, proposes that, since it is very expensive land, which can be used to generate income or can even be spared for welfare purposes, "the residents of Pakistan Quarters should be given alternate accommodations somewhere else on ownership basis given what they have spent on the maintenance of the area and quarters." He says that, given the life time services a government officer provides to the state, it is not unjust to ask for ownership of a government-owned quarter, but, "a quarter on this land is worth millions of rupees and should remain in the government's custody." He also proposes that the government maintain the quarters well and address the problems of residents immediately. Photos by Naqeeb-ur-Rehman health Indus Hospital: fighting the good fight Health is among the most neglected sectors of our society, which is why a group of philanthropists have established Indus Hospital at Korangi, catering to the blue-collared masses By Imtiaz Ali Around 50,000 patients
have visited the out patient department (OPD) of the Indus Hospital
while He says that some graduates of Dow Medical College, who were members of Patients Welfare Association, which runs a blood bank at Civil Hospital, Karachi, came to the conclusion that "improvements" could not be brought to public sector hospitals due to a host of reasons. Hence, they established "Rufaydah Foundation" around 20 years ago and committed themselves to setting up a tertiary care hospital where quality treatment could be provided to the poor, free of cost. The inspiration for the name of the foundation came from Rufaydah, the first Muslim nurse nominated by the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Dr Khan elaborates that some philanthropists had established an "Islamic Mission Hospital" at Korangi Crossing, but could not run it. He says that, as their donors were also the same, they started a master plan of the hospital at the same place in 2005, the first phase of which was completed in July 2007 with 150 beds. He says that,
initially, they had started out with an OPD but subsequently started
offering services They now intend to consolidate the hospital and its second phase will start soon, as they ultimately will establish a 700-bed hospital, Dr Khan says. He hopes that this phase will be completed in one year. "One of the unique features of the hospital is that it is a paperless hospital," says Dr Khan. All records of the patients are computerised. He said that their target was the poor masses and people who delay their treatment because they prefer the well-being of their children over their own. "These parents usually delay their own treatment because they may first want to see their children married off etc," he said. They tend to sell their house, vehicle – almost everything, and become penniless. "Fifty per cent of the people become poor in our country because of the expenditure on health," he believes. Ultimately, these people are compelled to seek Zakat, he says. Dr Khan claims that
they had spent Rs320 million, including Rs100 million on medicines and
treatment Their monthly expenditure on treatment of the patients, he says, is around Rs20 million and when the second phase of the hospital is completed, the expenditure may go up to Rs40 million. "We will continue to work hard and trust in Almighty Allah," he says confidently when he asked whether they faced a donation problem from philanthropists. Dr Khan believes that there are many people who are ready and willing to help the poor, provided the institution has credibility. Meraj A. Kidwai,
in-charge Resource Generation and Welfare, says that their laboratory is
linked with the "Riqas" laboratory in England. Moreover, since
July 2007, around 8,000 tests are being conducted each month free of
cost. Dr Abdul Momin Kazi says that they also have an outreach programme for the health of the community. They were involved in this with Infaq Foundation and other welfare organisations for the betterment of the 2.5 million people of Korangi and Landhi. Dr Khan says that patients from interior Sindh and other parts of the country also visit the hospital as it was a tertiary care hospital. They have also established a research department, he adds. To a question, Dr Bari says that they named the hospital 'Indus' because the Indus civilisation was "very old and known all over the world" besides being the pioneer in preventive health. sight Adeel Pathan delves deep in to historical archives to give a brief overview of the significance of the city of Hyderabad and its famous buildings - often overshadowed in recent times by Karachi, its neighbouring metropolisº At 200 years old,
Hyderabad has a past as glorious as any other historic city of the
world. Previously Hyderabad remained under British rule for almost a century, turning into a hub for migrating Indians, who stopped in the city on their way from Khokhrapar to Karachi. Even as the movement for independence gained momentum, the British made significant developments in the city's infrastructure, such as constructing better administrative buildings and a railway network. In 1936, Sindh was separated from Bombay as a result of the efforts of many political leaders, including Ghulam Hussein Hidayatullah, Miran Mohammed Shah, Qazi Mohammed Akbar, Shaikh Abdul Majeed Sindhi, and Pir Mujadad Alif Sani. These personalities not only politically awakened the population of Sindh but also established the central office of Muslim League in Hyderabad. Hyderabad remained under British colonial rule, but gained independence and elected its own representatives to become a part of Pakistan. One of the reasons the
city gained significance was because of the change in the Indus River. There were many parks and gardens in Hyderabad for a few years before and after independence. For decades before the partition, Hindus were in the majority in Hyderabad, and did their utmost to develop the city, including building schools, temples, hospitals, and other facilities for the citizens of the city. Following the partition, however, a large population of Hindus migrated back to India. The people of Hyderabad remembered them for their welfare and social work, such as constructing water tanks for horses and placing water pots outside every school, be it Muslim or non-Muslim. After the partition, Karachi became the capital of Pakistan, but Hyderabad remained the capital of Sindh, and later became divisional headquarters. Presently, it is a district comprising four towns. "The character of the city began to change when the population started to rise after the 1950s," recalls Aziz when talking to Kolachi. New colonies such as Latifabad, among others, surfaced. The city had just four police stations soon after the partition: City, Phuleli, Market, and Cantonment. Other areas used to have police posts and pickets. Regardless of this, Hyderabad was known as the Paris of Sindh. In the absence of multi-storey buildings, a cool breeze blew throughout the city, and its overall cleanliness grabbed the attention of every visitor. Initially inhabited by Hindus belonging to the revenue department, the city benefited from the wealth that was brought back into the area by the people who had earned it abroad. One of the oldest localities of Hyderabad is Heerabad, steeped in history and culture. The tomb of the founder of ancient Hyderabad, Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, is situated in Heerabad, along with the tombs of the Mirs, which are known as Miron Ja Qubba (translated, graves and shrines of Mirs). These archaeological sites are suffering from neglect, but nonetheless, they showcase some of the best pre-independence architecture in Sindh. When Pakistan came into being in 1947, Heerabad was the only developed locality of Hyderabad. A majority of migrants from India settled there. The area had been populated mostly by Hindus before partition, something which is reflected in the architecture. Nowhere else in Hyderabad are there buildings like those found in Heerabad. Houses in Heerabad were built along the haveli structure. Each house had two dozen rooms and a basement. The basement was equipped with all facilities, and used either by servants or for storage. Roshandans (wind and light catchers) were put in for cross-ventilation and sunlight. The Hindus, who had previously worked under the Mirs, constructed their houses close to the Qila. Sindh warki (those who work outside Sindh but bring their wealth back to their locality), started living here and constructed big houses and havelis. Heerabad has the oldest government college in Hyderabad - Government College Kalimori. The institute is located in Aamil Colony, and has produced many prominent politicians, as well as policy makers in the government, to date. These include Dr Ishrat Hussein, former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan, Shamim Siddiqui former Federal Communication Minister, and Sardar Ahmed, Minister Sindh, among many others. The News Photos
political The Jamaat-e-Islami has offered to act as a go between the government and the Taliban in order to bring much needed peace to the country. Should the govt avail the offer? By
Shahid Husain The right-wing political party Jaamat-e-Islami (JI) has reportedly offered to mediate between the Pakistan government and the Taliban in the wake of feelers by the US and British military commanders to find an amicable solution to the ongoing "war on terror" in Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan. Though one can hardly agree with the stance of JI that the fear of Talibanisation in Pakistan is something imaginary and a stunt of "anti-Pakistan elements," the government should avail the offer made by the JI. This political party has played an active role in recruiting so called Jihadi elements in Pakistan during the Afghan War thereby entering into close liaison with the Taliban as well as Pakistan's security agencies. The truce will not only allow breathing space to the Pakistan army that is trying quite unsuccessfully to contain the onslaught of Taliban in Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) but also bring solace to the citizens of Karachi who have been suffering a lot due to suicide bombings and sectarian violence since long. The precarious situation can be gauged from the fact that according to military data released last month, suicide attacks have killed nearly 1,200 people in Pakistan since July 2007, most of them civilians along with devouring 1,368 security personnel since late 2001 when General Pervez Musharraf took a U-turn and decided to side with the US in the so called "war on terror." The military operation in FATA and Swat coupled with frequent bombings by the drones of ISAF forces based in Afghanistan might have successfully targeted some Taliban and Al-Qaeda elements but by and large it has severely affected the civilian population of the area that is being forced to migrate to Karachi and other urban centres of Pakistan. This has led to the fear in some quarters that Karachi is being Talibanised and growing tension in the city that could spark violent clashes on the slightest provocation. A survey conducted by Kolachi, however, revealed that most of the immigrants from war-torn tribal areas and Swat are ordinary citizens whose families have suffered immensely due to continuous bombings. But since deadly weapons are easily available on both sides of the divide in Karachi, it's high time to adopt measures to diffuse tension. Ironically enough, the establishment is responsible for making a mess of Karachi and brutalising the society since it never allowed democratic forces to flourish in the financial hub of Pakistan and made it a point to divide its population on ethical and sectarian lines. The strategy was aimed at containing the influence of populist Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in Sindh but it backfired because the policy of "divide and rule" unleashed fascist tendencies that seem to be beyond control. No wonder then the city that was known for its exceptional standard of education, cultural activities and political consciousness in yesteryears has been drowned in irrational ideologies, intolerance and a steep fall in educational standards. The educational institutions of the city that used to be the vibrant centres of cultural activities until the late 1960s, producing scientists, educationists, social scientists, doctors, engineers and journalists and were the hub of creative pursuits such as debates and literary meetings, are now in bad shape and prone to violence. Over the years the city has not only become a victim of a sharp and obscene economic divide forcing disgruntled youth to become fodder of irrational ideologies but the very social fabric of once vibrant city is at stake. The sense of deprivation in the city can be gauged from the fact that according to Dr Abdul Razzak, a medico-legal officer at Karachi's premier public sector hospital the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), as many as 100 to 150 cases of attempted suicide by children below the age of 18 are registered every month. It's only one of the indicators of the state of psyche of the 16 million residents of this metropolis. Unemployment, under-employment, back breaking inflation, dearth of health and education facilities, broken roads, one-third of the city's population relying on water tankers, pollution, traffic hazards and growing violence coupled with drug abuse are all alarming symptoms and need to be redressed on an urgent basis. It's time to re-gain the lost paradise through dialogue and negotiations at the national and provincial level and shun the possibilities of Talibanizing the city in the name of religion. Before allied forces depart from Afghanistan, leaving Pakistan in the lurch again, the offer by JI must be considered seriously even though the role of the latter can hardly be absolved of many ills of Pakistan society.
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89-year-old resident of quarter number 100 D at Pakistan Quarters in
Karachi. Having resided at Pakistan Quarters for four decades now and
seen other government-owned quarters in the entire country, Sarhadi is
convinced that no government-owned quarters in Pakistan can be as
"neglected and worse in condition", despite the fact that
residents of this colony pay the same rent as those in the rest of the
country.
hearing power, feels that the other federal government officials like
him residing in Pakistan Quarters were not treated with due respect.
"The government forgot us after dumping us here though we continued
serving them," Sarhadi says, claiming that, because of this
apathetic attitude of the government, a majority of the 384 quarters in
Pakistan Quarters are now in a shambles. 
accumulated there for two months. Despite several complains to the
Enquiry Department in the area responsible for the maintenance of these
quarters, alleges Sarhadi, nothing was done to pump the water out or to
repair the roof. Instead, the quarter-dwellers themselves had to pay
Rs0.7 million each to rebuild their roofs.
the Federal Minister for Housing and Works Rehmatullah Kakar's statement
that he had given recently on the issue of the distribution of
unauthorised "eligible for ownership" certificates among the
occupants of different government quarters, including in Pakistan
Quarters, Jahangir Quarters, Martin Quarters, Clayton Quarters, Jamshed
Quarters and Patel Para. The certificates, said to have been issued by
Syed Safwanullah, a minister of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in
the previous government, made headlines in newspapers. It was reported
that the certificates were allegedly not issued with the consultation of
the federal government, and the move was believed to be an attempt to
grab government land in the city centre worth, at some estimates, Rs200
billion.
over 2,500 operations have been carried out since the inception of the
hospital in July 2007, according to chief executive officer and cardiac
surgeon Dr Abdul Bari Khan.
and surgeries related to urology, dialysis, orthopaedics, ENT,
cardiology, angiography and other general surgeries. Even the simplest
surgery, he says, was very expensive with the minimum cost ranging from
Rs10,000 to Rs15,000, which the poor were just not able to afford.
of the patients.
known as Neeron Kot, Hyderabad was the third largest city at the time of
independence in 1947. The Kalhoro dynasty, which ruled the region of
Sindh from 1701 to 1783, changed the city's name to Hyderabad. The Mirs
took over after the Kalhoros, and ruled over Sindh. During their time,
Hyderabad was the main centre for business and trade. However, in 1843,
the British conquered the city of Hyderabad, marking the end of the rule
of the Mirs. In the same year, Sir Charles Napier became the
administrator of Sindh and made Hyderabad the focal city for
development, although later this focus was diverted their focus to
Karachi. Many believe that this change is the reason Hyderabad is not as
developed today as it could have been.
Hyderabad is situated on a hilly area and is close to water, rendering
it an ideal location. According to Aziz Malik, a senior citizen and
journalist who settled in Hyderabad from 1948, the people of Sindh,
especially Hyderabad, welcomed migrants from India. Most areas of the
city were developed. "In the pre-partition days, and even some
years after independence, Hyderabad was full of facilities for its
inhabitants," he says. "The entire city used to be
washed." 