 |
| Photo File (Internet) |
Renowned Pakistani television host Tabish Hashmi has expressed deep sorrow and frustration over the tragic incident at Karachi’s historic Gul Plaza, calling it another painful reminder of the city’s long-standing governance failures.
Speaking on Geo News’ current affairs program Report Card, Hashmi said Gul Plaza holds emotional value for almost every household in Karachi. He remarked that from childhood to adulthood, generations of Karachiites have purchased items from the plaza, but such long-standing associations linked to the city are gradually disappearing.
Hashmi criticized the response of Sindh Chief Minister following the incident, referring to the press conference in which the CM stated he was answerable. Hashmi argued that accountability should go beyond statements and must be reflected through concrete action.
He pointed out that this was not an isolated incident, noting that Karachi has witnessed multiple deadly fires in the past and numerous children have lost their lives after being run over by dump trucks. According to Hashmi, these recurring tragedies highlight systemic negligence.
Questioning the concept of accountability, Hashmi asked whether any real consequences followed such incidents. He questioned if the chief minister had lost his position, faced salary cuts, or personally compensated the affected families, adding that compensation is usually paid from public funds rather than personal responsibility.
In a sarcastic yet serious suggestion, Hashmi said that if the government could privatize Pakistan International Airlines due to inefficiency, Karachi should also be privatized. He said people of all ethnic backgrounds—Pathan, Baloch, Sindhi, Muhajir, Punjabi—could collectively take responsibility for running the city.
Concluding his remarks, Hashmi said he was confident that Karachi’s residents could manage the city better, adding that despite limited resources, citizens would not perform worse than the current system.
Post a Comment