Pasban-e-Pakistan has fielded 3 contestants for the national assembly seats and 11 for the provincial assembly seats from Karachi and none of them belongs to the elite class, according to the Pasban president Altaf Shakoor.
"Pasban's nominated contenders for elections never remained involved in corruption, kickbacks, land grabbing, extortion or other crimes, Altaf Shakoor claimed, speaking at a press conference.
He said Pasban's candidates neither live in palace-like houses nor drive costly luxury vehicles but they have guts to take a firm stand for the rights and cause of the mega city. He said these people would provide an alternate leadership to Karachi, and God willing, win constitutional status of mega city for Karachi.
"Pasban was the first that introduced the slogan of mega city Karachi and it is our mission to win Karachi constitutional status of mega city so that it may get due share of financial resources and enjoy a competent and professional mega city governance," he said, adding that Karachiites would vote for proponents of mega city because it is their dream. Altaf Shakoor said political parties who did not serve Karachi despite ruling the city for three terms are now trying to hijack the mega city slogan; however, if they are sincere to the cause of the mega city, they should strengthen the hands of Pasban. "Karachiites know it well that so-called 'electables' gave nothing to them and their mega city," Pasban president said, adding that his organization wants huge increase in water storage capacity of this country. He said they have already been advocating efficient irrigation and water saving methods. He said Pasban demands high standard of education, healthcare and public transportation and also wants a public university, an engineering college and a teaching hospital in every district of Pakistan.
He said Pasban wants to create millions of new jobs for youth by developing new industrial corridors already floated corridor idea and new industrial towns along Karachi-Hyderabad, and Karachi-Keti Bandar highways on the pattern of Delhi-Bombay Industrial Corridor Project in the neighboring country. He said such industrial corridors should also be built in other provinces.
Pasban president said rulers have not only failed in resolving problems of the masses; but, they have also betrayed daughter of the nation Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
Pasban general secretary Usman Moazzam, vice president Tariq Chandiwala and Karachi chapter president Abdul Hakim Quaid also spoke in the presence of nominated candidates. They vowed to resolve lingering issues of the mega city such as scarcity of water, power outages, choked drainage and pathetic public transport system.