With elections coming, the PPP feels the heat
While governance standards in other provinces are generally poor, those in Sindh are appalling. The PPP has ruled Sindh for nine years without being able to cope with water shortages, urban transport woes and rampant corruption in Karachi. With the change of the Chief Minister last year hopes were created that the province would finally have a more responsive and efficient administration. This has failed to happen.
Soon after the first spell of the monsoon rains lashed Karachi on Wednesday, a large area of the city plunged into darkness as hundreds of K-Electric feeders tripped. Despite being forewarned of early monsoons this year, rain-cum-sewerage water drains were not cleared by the administration. Heavy rain consequently disrupted routine life and inundated low-lying areas of the city. In just two days at least 11 people, including two children, were killed in various rain-related incidents in different localities of the port city.
Education in the province is one of the major casualties of bad governance. Ghost schools, ghost teachers and selling of teachers’ jobs have been common complaints. The province now faces the menace of widespread cheating in exams which flourishes because it suits the incompetent scions of the feudal class and the rich who use it to elbow out the meritorious and hardworking students. A recent CTD report reveals that around 28 government officials and ‘private agent mafia’ were involved in paper leaks, replacement of examinees (through fake admit cards), change of examination centres, enhancing marks after the conclusion of the papers, organising large-scale cheating and other examination malpractices.
With elections due within 11 months, attempts are afoot to have a docile IGP. AD Khwaja known as an independent officer is being turned into a toothless police chief by taking away his powers of transfers and postings of senior police officers. Henceforth the CM will appoint SPs of party candidates’ own choice in their constituencies. This sends the message that the PPP is unsure of its victory in some of the crucial constituencies of Sindh without the help of the police.
