By Amjad Qaimkhani
HOUSTON: The Friends of Karachi Houston held a special meeting under the joint leadership of President Arif Aziz and Secretary General Syed Arshad Iqbal, during which various critical issues affecting Karachi were discussed. A key concern raised was the alarming rise in traffic accidents, particularly those involving dumper trucks, which are suspected to be operating as part of a deliberate and organized “mafia”, and demanded immediate release of MQM-Haqiqi chief Afaq Ahmed.
The meeting participants expressed grave concern over the growing fatalities and injuries caused by these vehicles, which are often linked to unsafe practices and a lack of regulation. The participants emphasized the urgent need for the authorities to take action against the dumper truck operators who are believed to be exploiting loopholes in the system, endangering the lives of Karachi’s citizens.
Among those in attendance were former federal minister Senator Babar Khan Ghori, Shakeel Khan, Imtiaz Ahsan, Khurram Zai, Amir Ahmed Khan, Nasir Ghazib, Nadeem Sheikh, Amjad Qaemkhani, Jameel Siddiqi, Abid Naqvi, Shoaib Muhammad Khan, and Arif Rauf, along with other active members. Addressing the gathering, Senator Babar Khan Ghori expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of governance in Sindh, particularly in Karachi and other urban areas.
Senator Babar Khan Ghori condemned the Sindh government’s inefficiency, pointing to the rising number of fatalities caused by the unchecked operations of the dumper and tanker mafias. He also brought attention to the imprisonment of political leader Afaq Ahmed, arguing that the government should prioritize solving administrative failures rather than targeting opposition figures.
The participants also voiced their strong opposition to the recently passed educational bill in the Sindh Assembly, rejecting it as a “black law” that endangers the educational future of the province. They reiterated their demand for the immediate release of Afaq Ahmed and emphasized the need to safeguard Karachi’s rights against what they termed as systematic neglect and misgovernance.
During the meeting, a significant decision was made to expand these discussions beyond Houston, with plans to organize similar gatherings in various cities across the United States and Canada. The attendees agreed to develop a joint action plan to address Karachi’s pressing issues and amplify their concerns on international platforms.
