Finally, An Upgrade For Lyari

KARACHI: As the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) competes with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to get its stronghold in Lyari back, the oldest town in the metropolis, sometimes even referred to as the ‘mother’ of the port city, may finally get new roads, pedestrian bridges and water and gas pipelines.

The roads around Lea Market and Kakri Ground, as well as parts of Shah Abdul Latif Road and Mirza Adam Khan Road, have been repaired and carpeted. Rapid construction work is underway on Shah Waliullah Road and Siddique Wahab Road too.

Residents of the area say water and gas supply lines are also being either replaced or repaired. Looking forward to the locality’s new look, they said a better Lyari would emerge soon.
“I don’t care who launches the projects, but they are beneficial for us,” commented Abdul Karim Baloch, a Lyari resident. “We had no proper roads, and the area was in worse shape than a slum. Construction is always good, though, and it will reshape the entire locality.”

Baloch, who had voted for PTI in the 2018 elections, said that he would rethink his support in the next round of polls. “I am not an ideological voter,” he stated. “I support leaders who deliver and prove their efficiency with their actions.”

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Meanwhile, Dawood Adam, another resident, said that he had not seen development across the locality before. “I think PPP is preparing for the local government elections,” he smiled. “But I am happy that at last something good is happening here.”

Noting that development was better than the crime Lyari has long been known for, he said he could see that PPP was in competition with another party. “I don’t see PTI’s presence anywhere,” he observed. “It’s like PPP used to be, disappearing once the elections are over.”

Adam said that change was always welcome, adding that while he appreciated the construction of roads, he requested the government to also address issues such as the dearth of clean water.

The sight of the development work was a new one for Shoaib Muhammad Hussain too. “Roads are being repaired, water lines are being replaced, work on gas lines is underway and everybody is talking about new projects,” elaborated the resident of Phool Patti Lane. “But PPP and PTI have to keep a check and ensure that high-quality work is being done.”