Latest news with #MonemZafarKhan
Business Recorder
12-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget: JI assails govt for ‘neglecting' Karachi
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Chief, Monem Zafar Khan has strongly criticised the budget 2025-26, claiming it demonstrated a clear neglect of Karachi — the economic hub of the country. Speaking at a press conference held at Idara Noor-e-Haq, he said that Karachi was conspicuously missing from the list of federal priorities. Flanked by several town chairmen, Monem Zafar Khan demanded an allocation of Rs 500 billion for Karachi's development, along with Rs 2 billion for each town and Rs 2.5 million for every Union Council (UC), in order to address the city's pressing issues. Highlighting the severe water crisis in Karachi, he said the K-IV water supply project — vital for the city's future — appears to have been sidelined by the federal government. Although Rs 40 billion were requested, the budget allocates just Rs 3.2 billion for the project, despite its scheduled completion by June 2026. He pointed out that while the Water Resources Division was allocated Rs 133 billion, the K-IV project's share amounts to only 2.5 percent of that total. The JI Karachi chief denounced the federal budget as a 'jigsaw puzzle of statistics' that ignores the city's core issues. He noted that the Karachi IT Park, launched in 2022 and expected to complete by 2026, received only Rs6 billion — a figure he described as 'peanuts' in relation to the scale and importance of the project. He further criticised the reduction in the Higher Education Commission's budget from Rs 65 billion to Rs 39.5 billion, and condemned the 18 percent tax imposed on the solar energy sector, calling it a severe blow to an emerging industry. Monem Zafar Khan lambasted the federal government for failing to complete several critical transport projects in the city, including the Green Line Bus, 20-bus Orange Line, and the Red Line. He stressed that Karachi has long been deprived of its fair share in resources, despite being the financial lifeline of Pakistan. Referring to historical trends, he said that while Sindh received Rs 178 billion from the federal government in 2007-08, the allocation has now increased to Rs 1,853 billion. Yet, the provincial government continues to centralise power, ignoring the urgent need for administrative and fiscal devolution. Monem Zafar Khan also turned his attention to what he described as rampant corruption and poor governance in solid waste management, particularly under the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). He accused the Sindh government of outsourcing Karachi's waste management to inefficient and corrupt contractors, leading to severe issues during Eid-ul-Azha. He shared specific examples, including the case of a JI-run town that submitted its Eid waste management plan well in advance. The Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) responded only two days before Eid, disregarding all local recommendations and issuing outdated instructions. In another case, while the SWMB committed to sending 15 pickup vehicles, only 10 were dispatched on the day — raising questions about the misuse of funds allocated for vehicles, staff, and fuel. The JI leader also narrated an incident where a town chairman lodged a complaint with the mayor about waste management failures. Instead of holding the contractor accountable, the mayor suspended the town's Deputy Director of Solid Waste, he said. In a scathing indictment, Monem Zafar Khan also accused the MQM, PPP, and PML-N of complicity in a 'fake census', which, according to him, cut Karachi's population in half. This undercounting, he said, has serious consequences for resource allocation and representation. He also highlighted the disparity between the government's treatment of the poor and lawmakers. 'On one hand, 100 million Pakistanis live below the poverty line. On the other, the government has approved a six hundred percent increase in the speaker's allowances and over 140 percent salary hikes for lawmakers,' he stated. Monem Zafar Khan urged the federal government to revise its approach and recognise Karachi's pivotal role in the national economy. He called for transparent governance, fair distribution of resources, and greater autonomy for local administrations to ensure the city's problems are addressed effectively. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
02-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
JI condemns KE in citywide protests
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) staged citywide protests on Monday against K-Electric's (KE's) load shedding, approval of a harsh multi-year tariff, and recovery of line losses from ordinary consumers. Demonstrations were held at K-E's Integrated Business Centers (IBCs) and 11 other key locations, with protesters raising slogans and carrying placards against KE, NEPRA, the government nexus, and authorities, while district chiefs and other officials addressed the assemblies. At a protest outside Liaquatabad Post Office, JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar Khan, stated that citizens of the city are enduring hardships due to long hours of load shedding amid sweltering heat. He stated that, in Malir, under JI, a sit-in has continued at a KE IBC for 14 consecutive days, but he wants to clarify that JI has no personal enmity with anyone, and struggles for the citizens.
Business Recorder
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
JI accuses Nepra of displaying anti-Karachi bias
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan has accused the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) of discriminatory practices against Karachiites, criticizing the decision to burden consumers with recovery losses and imposing a higher basic tariff of Rs40 per unit in the metropolis as compared to Rs35 in other cities. In a letter to NEPRA's chairman, he condemned the authority for failing to uphold its constitutional duties, alleging clear bias against Karachi's residents. He argued that while other cities' electric supply companies are barred from passing recovery losses onto consumers, Karachi Electric (KE) has been allowed to do so, placing an unfair financial strain on the city's residents. 'Such biased decisions undermine NEPRA's claims of equality and lay the foundation for injustice,' he stated. Highlighting NEPRA's approval of a multi-year tariff, the JI leader noted that KE is set to collect an additional Rs97 billion from consumers until 2030. He also raised concerns over NEPRA's ongoing hearings regarding KE's Rs76 billion write-off claims, alleging the authority may once again favour the controversial private utility. Monem criticized KE's dismal performance, pointing out that it provides the most expensive electricity in the country while failing to address inefficiencies and alleged misdeeds. He demanded that Nepra take strict notice of KE's poor service, frequent load-shedding and questionable transactions. Additionally, he called for the revocation of KE's operating license and a forensic audit of the company's accounts to ensure transparency. The JI Karachi Chief urged the Nepra to reconsider its policies and prioritize the interests of Karachi's consumers, warning that continued discrimination would deepen public resentment. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Alkhidmat holds interviews for Bano Qabil 4.0 Programme
KARACHI: Alkhidmat Karachi organized special interviews for the summer session of its flagship Bano Qabil 4.0 Programme, aimed at providing a second chance to male and female students who missed the initial round of interviews. The interviews, held at Idara Noor-e-Haq, saw a large turnout of enthusiastic youth. Candidates were assessed on their academic background and guided toward appropriate IT and tech-related courses. Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, Monem Zafar Khan, visited the venue, accompanied by Alkhidmat Karachi Executive Director Rashid Qureshi. The duo interacted with students, discussed their course preferences, and expressed encouragement. Monem praised the initiative, calling Bano Qabil a 'serious and effective effort to equip youth with modern skills and employment opportunities.' He urged students to work diligently and contribute to national development through their expertise in technology. Rashid Qureshi highlighted that interviews for female students would begin Sunday, May 25, and that the summer session is set to commence after Eid-ul-Azha. He encouraged all eligible students to seize this opportunity for skill development and career growth. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Alkhidmat Karachi activates emergency response centers
KARACHI: In a swift response to the ongoing Indian aggression and the evolving wartime situation, Alkhidmat Karachi's Disaster Management Department has urgently activated all its Emergency Response Centers across the city. Volunteers have been instructed to remain on high alert, and all equipment has been readied for rapid deployment to affected areas as required. Alkhidmat has established coordination with Civil Defense, Rescue 1122, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to ensure a unified and effective response. These institutions have agreed to collaborate closely, building on their history of partnership with Alkhidmat. As part of the emergency preparedness strategy, training in Basic Life Support (BLS), first aid, and civil defense has begun for Alkhidmat's volunteers. The aim is to strengthen their capabilities in dealing with any critical situation that may arise during the current crisis. On Wednesday evening, Chief Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, Monem Zafar Khan, visited the Emergency Response Center at Alkhidmat's head office. He was accompanied by Executive Director Alkhidmat Karachi Rashid Qureshi and Manager Disaster Management Sarfaraz Sheikh. During the visit, Monem Zafar Khan received a comprehensive briefing on the status and readiness of Emergency Response Centers throughout the city. It was conveyed to him that all centers are fully operational, with volunteers on high alert and mobile health units deployed as part of the response efforts. He expressed appreciation for Alkhidmat's proactive approach and readiness in managing the situation. Condemning the Indian aggression and the resultant martyrdom of Pakistani women, children, and men, Monem Zafar Khan stated that such actions are unacceptable and that India will have to bear the consequences. He lauded the courage and resolve of the Pakistan Air Force and Armed Forces in their response to the aggression and emphasized that the entire nation stands united with its military during this critical time. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
