Pakistani Lawmaker’s Speech Goes Viral, Criticizes Disparity Between India’s Space Feats and Karachi’s Infrastructure Woes

In Short

• Syed Mustafa Kamal criticises Karachi’s condition in Pakistan parliament
• Child deaths due to open gutters in Karachi frequently reported
• Kamal highlights 26.2 million children in Pakistan are out of school

Syed Mustafa Kamal, a prominent member of Pakistan’s Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) party, delivered a striking address in the National Assembly, shedding light on the stark contrast between India’s space achievements and Karachi’s enduring infrastructure challenges.

Kamal’s speech, which has since gone viral, drew attention to the plight of Karachi’s residents, particularly the alarming frequency of children falling into open gutters and losing their lives.

Highlighting India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made history with its successful soft landing on the Moon’s surface on August 23, 2023, Kamal juxtaposed these remarkable space endeavors with the tragic incidents occurring in Karachi.

He lamented the fact that while India celebrated its space exploration milestones, Karachi grappled with basic infrastructure deficiencies, such as inadequate sanitation systems leading to fatal accidents involving children.

Kamal emphasized Karachi’s significance as the “revenue engine” of Pakistan, underscoring its pivotal role in the nation’s economy. Despite its economic importance, Karachi has been plagued by long-standing issues, including water scarcity and mismanagement.

Kamal condemned the rampant corruption within Karachi’s water supply system, where water intended for residents is siphoned off by unscrupulous elements, exacerbating the city’s woes.

The lawmaker also shed light on Pakistan’s education crisis, particularly concerning the staggering number of children out of school.

With an estimated 26.2 million children nationwide deprived of education, Kamal warned of the detrimental impact on the country’s economic development.

He highlighted the prevalence of “ghost schools” and the dire situation in Sindh, where a significant portion of the population remains deprived of educational opportunities.

The gravity of Pakistan’s education crisis is further underscored by statistics from UNICEF, which ranks Pakistan second-highest globally in terms of out-of-school children.

In Sindh and Balochistan, the situation is particularly dire, with a significant percentage of children, especially girls, deprived of access to education.

Amidst these pressing challenges, Pakistan continues to grapple with economic turmoil, characterized by high inflation rates and mounting debt.

The delay in implementing critical economic reforms, coupled with declining external financing, has strained the country’s foreign reserves and exacerbated economic instability.

Kamal’s impassioned address serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address Karachi’s infrastructure deficiencies, tackle the education crisis, and revitalize Pakistan’s economy.

As the nation confronts these multifaceted challenges, Kamal’s words resonate as a call to action for meaningful change and progress.