By Moin Ullah Shah
KARACHI: Sardar Abdul Rahim, secretary general of the Pakistan Muslim League Functional in Sindh, said the continued neglect of Karachi’s residents and their deprivation of basic facilities would no longer be tolerated, adding that the party would raise an effective voice at every level to protect public rights.
He made the remarks while chairing the first meeting of the party’s Karachi division at Functional League House in Clifton, attended by divisional president Anwar Azeem Advocate and other office-bearers.
Rahim said the time had come to translate the philosophy of Pir Sahib Pagara — “a united Sindh, a strong Pakistan” — into action, announcing the immediate launch of a mass contact campaign to take the party’s message door to door.
He directed that the membership drive in Karachi be accelerated on an emergency basis and urged all office-bearers to engage directly with workers in the field, saying only a strong organisation could truly represent public rights.
Criticising the government, he said high electricity costs, unjustified increases in gas prices and severe load-shedding had made life difficult for citizens, and demanded immediate relief as well as an end to what he described as discriminatory treatment towards Karachi.
He added that injustices faced by poorer communities in education and healthcare were unacceptable, calling for the enforcement of teacher attendance in educational institutions and the provision of quality medical services to the public.
Expressing concern over risks facing the younger generation, he said the open sale of gutka, ice and other drugs had become a social menace, urging the government to impose a complete ban and take effective action.
Addressing the meeting, Karachi division president Anwar Azeem Advocate said a citywide public outreach and membership campaign would begin immediately in line with directives from the central leadership, with efforts to activate the organisation at every level.
Other office-bearers also spoke, presenting various proposals on organisational matters and reaffirming their commitment to building the Functional League into a strong public force in Karachi.
