nl ju-dec 5dec - shehriproject would also positively impact trust building between citizens and...

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can

change the world. Indeed, itÕs the only thing that ever has.

—Margaret Mead July - December, 2007 Vol. 18/No. 2

• Police Reforms

• Webb Ground Case

• Traffic Issues

• Coastal Development

• Dharti Coalition

Reforming the PoliceAn Agenda for Citizen-Police Cooperation

The project Participatory Citizen-PoliceInteraction and Training for ImprovedPolicing of Human Rights Violations

aims to strengthen the institution of localpolice by enhancing the capacity of the lawenforcement officials to deal with humanrights violations. Within a coherent frame-work outlining a set of interrelated activitiesinvolving training/capacity building of thepolice officials, joint community policing pro-jects and stakeholder consultations, projectobjectives would be achieved. JamshedTown's Ferozabad Police Station has beenselected as the project base. Jamshed Townis the largest of eighteen townships inKarachi, with an ethnically diverse populationof more than 730,000 people. It is pertinentto mention that Shehri-CBE enjoys a goodworking relationship with the FerozabadPolice Station as a result of FriedrichNaumann Foundation supported work ongender sensitization.

The main target group for the NED-Shehriproject is the local police. However, it isimportant to mention that while they are themain focus group, it is envisioned that theproject would also positively impact trustbuilding between citizens and police byfacilitating a positive interaction between thelocal community and law enforcementofficials. This is considered essential forsustainability of actions as lack of trust andabsence of meaningful communicationbetween the two is mainly responsible for theexisting disconnect.

The Project...Shehri-CBE specializes inmanaging dialogues andinteractions between

local people and governmentagencies on issues and con-cerns that require joint actionand participation. One suchpressing area is to addressthe trust deficit betweenpolice and the citizens whichthe National Endowment forDemocracy (NED)-Shehri-CBE's project, ParticipatoryCitizen-Police Interaction andTraining for Improved Policingof Human Rights Violationsattempts to do.

The problem

According to TransparencyInternational’s - Pakistan’sNational CorruptionPerception Survey of 2006,respondents ranked the policeas the most corrupt institution

in Pakistan by a wide margin.In addition, two nation-wideopinion polls conducted by theInternational RepublicanInstitute in 2006 showed thatthe public viewed the policeleast favorably among nationalinstitutions such as the army,government, NGOs and themedia.

One possible reason for thiscould be that the police havenot received the level of gov-ernment priority in terms offunding for institutional infra-structure, technology andhuman resource developmentas merited by an institution ofsuch critical importance.Politically motivated appoint-ments/transfers of staff haveadversely affected the perfor-mance and damaged the credi-bility of the institution in theeyes of the public. Over the

I N S I D E

Shehri-CBE in collaboration with the National Endowment for Democracylaunches a project forbuilding trust between the citizens and police and reforming the police for better policing of human

SHEHRISHEHRI

Citizens and Police: Working together - Building Trust

July - December 2007

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SHEHRI206-G, Block 2, P.E.C.H.S.,Karachi-75400, Pakistan.Tel/Fax: 92-21-453-0646

e-mail/address: shehri @ onkhura.com

(web site)www.shehri.org

EDITORFarhan Anwar

MANAGING COMMITTEEChairperson : Roland deSouza

Vice Chairperson :Dr. S. Raza Ali Gardezi

General Secretary :Amber Ali Bhai

Treasurer :Sheikh Rizwan Abdullah

Members : Khatib AhmedHanif SattarDerrick Dean

SHEHRI STAFF

Co-ordinator :Sarwar Khalid

Asst. Co-ordinator :Mohammad Rehan Ashraf

SHEHRI Founding Members1. Mr. Khalid Nadvi (Economist)2. Barrister Qazi Faez Isa3. Ms. Humaira Rehman (Architect)4. Mr. Danish Azar Zuby (Architect)5. Mr. Navaid Husain (Architect)6. Barrister Zain Sheikh7. Dr. Kaiser Bengali (Economist)

Contributions are welcome

Intersted contributors should contact the SHEHRI office for writ-ers guidelines. SHEHRI newsletterreadership is from students, professionals, environmentalists,policy makers, NGOs and otherorganizations.

Views expressed herein do notnecessarily express the views ofthe Editor/Editorial Board.

Composed by : Printed by :Shah Graphics Samina Printers

Tel : 660 88 22

For the printing of this newsletter

SHEHRI-CBE

acknowledges the support of

The Friedrich-Naumann

Foundation

SHEHRI-CBEacknowledges the support of

The Friedrich-NaumannFoundation

Member of

The World Conservation UnionIUCN

EDITORIAL

May the ‘Master Plan 2020’rest in peace... Amen!

It would appear that efforts atpreparing 'another' Master Planfor this beleaguered city have

been aborted and instead of the'grand' and all conquering MasterPlan, the CDGK would probablynow be coming out with a muchwatered down document - the'Karachi Strategic DevelopmentPlan 2020'. Few would mourn theaborted demise of the so called'Master Plan' given the non-seri-ous and closed door nature of thewhole exercise that lacked astrategic foresight and the requi-site technical, planning and engi-neering support that could haveensured the preparation of aworthwhile planning document.

In any case, for the time being,putting the argument about thequality and nature of the planningexercise aside, it may be statedwith some degree of merit thatgiven the shameful history of themaster planning exercises in thecity, the very idea of coming upwith an overarching and allembracing planning documentwas at best, ill conceived.

The earlier 'Master Plans' wereeither not adequately implement-ed or not sanctioned at all (e.g.the 1973 and 2000 Master Plans).Given the highly decentralizedand fragmented nature of policy,governance and land control inthe city, no 'Master Plan' can everhope to have any substance ormeaning that is reflected onground and beyond the writtenword unless it is sanctioned andfully authorized by the variousstakeholders that define and con-trol the city's growth and develop-ment.

It is non-practical and utterlyinconceivable to assume thatCDGK with control over 31.9% ofthe city's land can ever sanctionand implement a 'Master Plan'that has ambitions to define andstrategically plan the develop-ment shapes and contours of theentire city. Just a cursory glanceat the ongoing and planned'coastal and waterfront develop-ment' schemes mostly beingauthorized by land controllingagencies and backers other thenthe CDGK should lend credenceto this argument. These schemes/project provide sufficient proofand enlightenment on the realitiesassociated with the urban growthdynamics of the city that finds norelevance to the concept of anintegrated and all embracingplanning philosophy for the wholeof the city.

Unless and until the city govern-ment is sufficiently empowered interms of control over land and theassociated policy making andgovernance it is recommendedthat public funds are not wastedany more on initiating grandioseefforts at preparing 'Master Plans'for this city that promise much butcan deliver nothing. Instead,attention needs to be focused ondeveloping a 'vision' for the city -the values, rationale and purposethat should drive its engine ofgrowth and development and thatare shared by all that matter. Tillthen, lets for the sake of keepingour sanity, forget about 'MasterPlans' and give the muchbetrayed citizens of this city a welldeserved break!


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years the institution has been used bythe governments in power for politicalvictimization of their opponents. Thishas also served to erode the image ofthe institution. All these factors havecombined to severely limit the poten-tial of the police to effectively tacklethe rising crime graph in the countrythat includes human rights violationsagainst the vulnerable sectors of thesociety such as women, children andminorities.

This has been especially true inPakistan's largest city, Karachi, whichhas a history of violence between rivalpolitical factions. In addition, thepolice in Pakistan have been implicat-ed in human rights violations againstwomen, children and ethnic and reli-gious minorities.

Goals for the first quarter(July- October 2007)

The project Participatory Citizen-Police Interaction and Training forImproved Policing of Human RightsViolations is a year long partnershipbetween NED and Shehri-CBE. Theoverall project objectives can bedefined as (a) to strengthen the capac-ity of law enforcement to respond tohuman rights violations and (b) to pro-mote greater citizen-police interactionand strengthen the public accountabil-ity of the police.

Goals for the first quarter have beendefined as:

* Organizing stakeholder consul-tative workshop

* Developing training module forpolicemen and

* Conducting capacity buildingworkshop for policemen/womenbased on the training module.

Activities during the first quarter:

Three major first quarter goals werefulfilled. Following is the time line ofthe activities that have taken place

during the first quarter. It is importantto note that the activities are spacedout so as to allow ample time for pre-liminary in-house activity evaluations.

* July 2007: Stakeholder consulta-tive workshop held at HotelRegent Plaza, Karachi.

* July - first half of Aug 2007:Development of trainingmodule 1.

* August 2007:Improved Policingof Human Rights Violations -Understanding Human Rightsand Relevant Policies, Rules,Legislation operative in Pakistan

* September 2007:ParticipatoryCitizen - Police Interaction forImproved Policing of HumanRights Violations

Project Activity No 1.Stakeholder ConsultativeWorkshopJuly 21st 2007.

In order to introduce the objectives ofthe program to the wider communityand get input from all concerned par-ties, Shehri-CBE during the first quar-ter of the project organized a consulta-tive workshop. This workshop of citi-zens and the police personnel wasorganized on July 21st 2007 at HotelRegent Plaza Karachi. The consulta-tive workshop brought together gov-ernment agencies, the judiciary, citi-zen groups, donors, independentexperts, academia and other stake-holders.

Proceedings of the workshop

The first consultative workshop of theproject was meant to share with thestakeholders the goals of the projectand how the project has beendesigned in order to have maximumimpact. The participants were briefedby the Shehri-CBE team that the pro-ject involved:

* Development of four Training

Modules which will be used toconduct a Phase-Wise TrainingProcess of the law enforcementofficials in dealing with HumanRights Violations.

* At the conclusion of the fourTraining Modules, a specialTraining program would be heldto train selected officials fromamongst the police officials whowould have successfully partici-pated in the Training Modules toact as "Master Trainers".

* The team of Police officialsselected initially for the TrainingModule Phase-I will be samethroughout for Module Phase-II,III and IV.

As mentioned earlier in the report,there is a huge trust deficit amongstthe public and the police. The NED-Shehri project aims at sensitizingpolice officials on human rightsimportance. However, this has itsbasis in improved citizens-policeinteraction.

The first stakeholder workshop wasalso designed to determine the base-line against which the impact of theproject could be determined at projectconclusion as well as know as tohow deep is this trust deficitamongst the citizens and police.

For this purpose, a series of questionswere put to the workshop participantsby the workshop moderator.Following are the questions and


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answers which draw for us a baselineof citizens-police interaction:

Question 1 What thoughts the word"Police" or "Thana "invoke in your mind.

Negative/Positive* Trouble, Fear,

I n t i m i d a t i o n ,C o r r u p t i o n ,Injustice andSense of insecu-rity

* We are fright-ened and afraidafter hearing thename of PoliceStation etc.

* The Citizensshould knowabout their rightsand get workfrom Police.

* In case the Thana Staff is welleducated, away from corruptionand do not support the anti-socialelements.

Question No 2: What will happen ifthe Thana staff is well paid, welltrained and well educated?

There should be change in PoliceStation culture by recruitment of welleducated constables. Crime rate willbe decreased and sense of security.

In response to the question, ``what dowe want our thanas to be?" partici-pants declared that they wanted themto be (a)helpful for citizens and com-munities (b)free from political pres-sure and most importantly to have aseparate room for females to regis-ter their complaints with the police ina safe environment.

Project Activity No 2 Development of First Trainingmodule

Following the first consultative

workshop which succeeded in giv-ing Shehri-CBE the chance to briefstakeholders about the project andalso establish a baseline for citizens-

police interaction, atraining module wasdeveloped. Under the"Training andCapacity Building"section of the project aseries of 5 trainingworkshops would beorganized with aselected group ofpolice personnel fromKarachi Police. In theview that human rightseducation is a broadfield the trainings havebeen planed in a waywhere the participantswould be providedspace and opportuni-ties where they wouldbe able to comprehendthe human rights

issues by enhancing their understand-ing of both national and internationalhuman rights perspectives.

The training modules would cover thefollowing areas:

* Training Module 1: Detailedappraisal of all the relevant poli-cies/rules/legislations pertainingto human rights violations opera-tive in Pakistan.

* Training Module 2: The religiousdimension and understanding ofhuman rights (with a particularfocus on human rights and Islam)

* Training Module 3: Human rightswithin the context of the vulnera-ble sectors of society (trainingbased on specific case studiesdealing with human rights viola-tions of the rights of women, chil-dren and minorities)

* Training Module 4:Human rightswithin the global context (theissue of human rights as it isunderstood and acknowledged

within the global context -Pakistan's commitment to globalcompacts such as the UNDeclaration on Human Rights)

The first module was developed andadministered during the first quarterwhich is covered by this reportingperiod. The module was developedwith the following objectives:

* To create awareness and help par-ticipants to develop a commonconceptual clarity of human rights

* Increase understanding andknowledge of participants aboutexisting policies/ rules/ legislationpertaining to human rights inPakistan

* Discuss with participants differentforms of human rights violationsin Pakistan and highlight the roleof police to protect and promotehuman rights.

It is important to mention that thismodule is the first of the series andcovers fundamental human rights pre-scribed in the constitution of Pakistanand safeguards of human rights pro-vided in the Police Ordinance 2002.

Project Activity No 3Capacity building workshop ‘‘Improved Policing of Human RightsViolations - Understanding HumanRights and Relevant Policies, Rules,Legislation operative in PakistanAug 10-11th 2007

A capacity building workshop ofpolice personnel from the FerozabadPolice Station was conducted forwhich the first training module wasused.

This two day workshop titled ``Improved Policing of Human RightsViolations - Understanding HumanRights and Relevant Policies, Rules,Legislation operative in Pakistan" washeld from Aug 10 th to Aug 11th2007 and was attended by twentyfive policemen .

Broadly speaking, following are the

In response to thequestion, ‘‘what do we

want our thanas tobe?" participantsdeclared that theywanted them to be

(a)helpful for citizensand communities

(b)free from politicalpressure and most

importantly to have aseparate room for

females to registertheir complaints withthe police in a safe

environment.


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points which were the subject of dis-cussion and focus during the work-shop:

* What is a Human Right?

* How are human rights violatedand how can their violation beprevented?

* What is therole of thepolice in pre-venting humanrights viola-tion?

* Which articlesof constitutionof Pakistan arerelated and rel-evant toPolice?

* Discussion onPolice Order-2002

The participantswere asked to makeflip charts on viola-tion of HumanRights underConstitution ofPakistan. They were given examplesand asked to identify which Article ofthe Constitute was violated.

Example of such an exercise are dis-cuss below:

Violator/Violation under Art. ofPakistan Constitution

i. Ms Amina working as a teacher ina private school and is not beingpaid as per her skill.Private School Article-38

ii. Khalid is serving in Police Dept;His Salary is not sufficient. Hisworking hours of duty is verylong and no leave granted.Police Department Article-27

iii. Khalid arrested onesuspect, during raidone member of Teamhit suspect on hishead. After arrest ofsuspect person fewdays investigatedh i m s e l f .Police Department

Article-9 and 10

iv. A h m e dwanted to studyengineering but hisfather forced him tojoin the army. HisFather Article-18

v. Dignity ofwoman is affectedby her husbandHusbandArticle-14

The methodologyused for this mod-ule during the train-ing workshop wasinteractive. Inmany activities theparticipants weregiven a set of issues

to discuss in small groups. While thediscussion was going on, the trainerwould circulate to help the partici-pants generate ideas and encourage allparticipants to participate. In someactivities, the participants were alsoasked to individually reflect on andnote down their responses to a partic-ular question or discussion point.These were then shared in pairs, smallgroups or the plenary. Role playingtechnique was also used during thetraining workshop.

Project Activity No 4:Participatory Citizen - PoliceInteraction for Improved Policingof Human Rights ViolationsDialogue.September 22nd 2007

To address the trust deficit betweenpolice and citizens, a one day inter-active dialogue was organized asper the project's first quarter goalson September 22nd 2007 at the AvariHotel, Karachi.

The purpose of the dialogue was toincrease awareness of police aboutcitizen centric policing like communi-ty policing and to facilitate a morecooperative relationship between cit-izens' ands the police. The dialoguewas also an attempt to create a feelingof dignity between police and the pub-lic and to maintain a healthy commu-nication between the police and thecitizens for creating better atmosphereand confidence. The dialogue wasparticipated by a significant numberof citizens and police personnel andwas labeled by one participant as a ``first step towards a long and tediousjourney of creating better under-standing between citizens and thepolice."

Problems/ difficulties encountered

During the first quarter of the project ,there were no significant difficul-ties encountered by Shehri-CBE inproject execution. One significantreason for this could also be thecooperative working relationship andunderstanding of citizens-policeissues that Shehri-CBE has developedover the years as part of it's policegender sensitization attempts.

The purpose of the dia-logue was to increase

awareness of police aboutcitizen centric policing

like community policingand to facilitate a morecooperative relationshipbetween citizens’ andsthe police. The dialoguewas also an attempt to

create a feeling of dignitybetween police and the

public and to maintain abetween the police andthe citizens for creatingbetter atmosphere and

confidence.


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The DIG of Traffic and the CityNazim blamed each other forthe traffic mess in Karachi at a

seminar organized by Shehri-CBE.

The traffic police and city governmenthave been criticized over the worsen-ing traffic congestion. In a bid to dis-cuss the solutions, Shehri-CBE orga-nized the seminar in collaborationwith the Friedrich NaumannFoundation.

DIG Durrani said that despite new fly-overs, underpasses and bridges trafficproblems had not been solved. Thetraffic and general police have to com-promise on several fronts, especiallyon encroachment removal and lawenforcement, due to 'political pres-sure', he said.

There are 27 poin's on major roads ofthe city where permanent ditches havedeveloped, 55 roads where develop-ment work is ongoing and after therains more than 206 points which areinundated, said DIG Traffic Wajid AliDurrani.

For his part, City Nazim MustafaKamal held the DIG Traffic responsi-ble for the crippling traffic jams in thecity. He claimed there were not 50 but500 roads under construction and heasked if the DIG would guarantee thatthere would be no traffic jams oncethese roads were completed.

Arif Hassan said that a Light RailTransit System (LRT) and non-inte-grated underpasses, flyovers andbypasses would only add to the city'smisery as cities worldwide hadalready experienced the hazardousimpacts of such non-planned con-structions and 'symbolic projects',rather than sustainable and planneddevelopment.

He also criticized the ‘ElevatedExpressway’ and LRT projects, whichhe feared, would destroy the rich andglorious heritage of Karachi.

Roland DeSouza said that the fate ofKarachi must be decided in Karachirather than Islamabad. He added thatthe CDGK must never 'buy' projectsfrom foreign sellers without consider-ing their costs and assessing, whetherthe city really needed them or not. 'Wegot our 'promised land' in 1947 butturned it into a descit after 60 years byout own hands,' he remarked.

Dr. Noman Ahmad said that CDGKmust never limit itself to one ‘MasterPlan’ but rather develop a planningdepartment to keep updating masterplans for future needs.

The experts said that an increasingnumber of the cars, absence of theproper car parking arrangements incommercial hubs and proper land zon-ing regulations are the actual reasonsbehind the frequent traffic jams.

The city district government hasplanned for the first time in the city'shistory to initiate multistorey car park-ing plazas at three points, said the City

Nazim. Three car parking plazas, atShahabuddin Market (adjacent toEmpress Market) with a 2,500-carcapacity, Lines Area (right behindRainbow Center) with a 500-carcapacity and one in Clifton with a700-car capacity have been planned.Part of the problem is also that sever-al different authorities (DHA,Cantonment Boards) control differentareas generating sewerage and solidwaste without paying a single pennyto the city government, said theNazim. He said that there is no mutu-al understanding between the trafficengineering, traffic department andthe city government.

DIG Traffic contradicted a news itempublished by newspapers saying thatthe Supreme Court of Pakistan hastaken suo moto action over the mas-sive traffic jam in the city this week."It was a human rights petition filedby a citizen," he clarified.

Arif Hasan said that a lack of properplanning has caused the traffic prob-lem in the city. "At many places,carparks [areas] have been convertedinto shopping areas," he informed theaudience.

SSHHEEHHRRII AACCTTIIVVIITTIIEESSSSHHEEHHRRII AACCTTIIVVIITTIIEESS

Shehri seminar on ‘Transport Issues in Karach i ’(Thursday, August 16, 2007 - Hotel Avari, Karachi)


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Shehri seminar on ‘Managing Cities: The Transport Dilemma’(Saturday, October 27, 2007 - Hotel Avari, Karachi)

Shehri-CBE in collaboration withFriedrich Naumann Foundationheld a seminar on Managing

Cities with an emphasis on transportin Karachi. There were two (2) ses-sions. The morning session wasattended by a core group of officialsand stakeholders. Presentations weregiven by Mr. Wajid Ali Khan Durrani(DIG Traffic), Mr Zaheer ul Islam(DG Mass Transit), Mr Irshad HussainBokhari (President Karachi TransportIttehad), Mr Rasool Bux Phulpoto(Secretary Transport) and Mr JameelHussain. Mr Roland deSouza ofShehri acted as the Moderator.

The afternoon session was open to thepublic and was chaired by Mrs.Nasreen Jaleel (Deputy NazimaKarachi). The speakers included MrArif Hasan (Chairman URC), MrTasneem Ahmed Siddiqui (Chairman,Saiban). Mrs Amber Alibhai acted asthe Moderator.

Mr Hassan stressed that the systemput in place to deal with the transportissues should be user friendly & finan-cially vrable. Mr Siddiqui stated thatthe task force which he chaired a fewyears ago to deal with megacity prob-lems had done extensive research andidentified cost effective solutionswhich he offered to make available tothe CDGK.

Mr Manfred Richter, the former LordMayor of Bremerhaven (1995 -1999),a German port city attended both ses-sions. He shared his experiences andstressed that citizen participation wasessential in decision making. As aresult, citizens would have ownershipof the city. He also stressed the needfor the government to be transparentwhile making decisions.

The participants of the seminar putpointed questions to Mrs. NasreenJaleel and she asked Mr Iftikhar AliKhaim Khani (EDO Master Plan) andMr Muhammad Athar (EDOTransport and Communication) toinform the citizens on what the citygovernment was doing to address theproblems. She acknowledged thatthey had made efforts but more had tobe done.

City Naib Nazima Nasreen Jalil saidthe forum of the ‘City Council’ wasfully available for open discussion anddebate on issues related to planningand master plan development.

She said that besides development offlyovers, bridges, underpasses, thecity government had introduced anumber of plans and policies for betterand effective management of theissues of population expansion, hous-ing needs, drainage and sanitation sys-

tems, garbage disposal, transportationand widespread physical encroach-ment problem.

She said that over the years the civicproblems of Karachi, including trans-portation and population planningissues, had seriously overgrown andneeded consistent and diligent effortsand planning in order to improve thecivic and municipal situation in thecity.

Renowned architect and town plannerArif Hasan said that the proposedmass transit system for Karachi wouldnot solve major transportation prob-lems of the city mainly owing to itsmuch higher and unreasonable devel-opment and operational costs as hadbeen the experience in other megacities of the regional Southeast Asiancountries. He said that the city was indesperate need of building andimprovement of the necessary physi-cal infrastructure for the traffic man-agement.

Tansmeen Ahmed Siddiqui, a formersenior government official relevant tourban planning, said that the thenSindh government had established atask force for municipal services inJanuary 1999 and it had proposedcomprehensive recommendations forsolving major urban and civic issuesof the metropolis but still a strongpolitical will was needed to imple-ment these recommendations.

Iftikhar Qaimkhani, EDO Master Planof the CDGK; Ather Khan, EDOTransport CDGK; Roland de Souza;Amber Ali Bahi and Derrick Deanalso spoke on the occasion.

The session was concluded with avote of thanks by the ChairpersonShehri, Mr Derrick Dean who remind-ed citizens of the need to actively par-ticipate in improving their city.


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Speakers in the ‘Workshop’ joint-ly organised by Shehri-Citizensfor a Better Environment

(Shehri-CBE) and the NationalEndowment for Democracy (NED)briefed participants on effectivelydealing with situations where media-tion is required.

The two-day workshop titled"Participatory Citizen-PoliceInteraction for Improved Policing ofHuman Rights Violation" was the sec-ond of its kind.

The resource person for the first daywas Father Bonnie Mendes who isdirector of the Human DevelopmentCentre, Toba Tek Singh. He spokeabout the Christian perspective ofHuman Rights. Father Bonnie devel-oped the theme by focusing on thediginity of men and women. Heshowed how the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights wasdeveloped and accepted by the wholeworld soon after it was made offcial in1948. The police participated and saidthat they could serce better if theirown working environment was better.They seemed positive about thechange in rules that stated that theirworking hours were now eight hoursas opposed to 24 hours earlier.

Former Chairperson of the NationalCommission for Women, Justice(Retd) Majida Rizvi, spoke about theIslamic viewpoint on human rightsand the improvements brought aboutby the introduction of :he ‘Women'sProtection Act’.

She shared her experiences vith thepolice and highlighted the mportanceof the police being given backgroundinformation on different religions inorder to be able to resolve conflicts

effectively. Rizvi appealed to policepersonnel to listen to citizens sympa-hetically and to treat everyone asequal human beings.

In the second half of the programme,Babar Bashir circulated the ‘trainingmanual’ and dealt with underrstandingthe religious dimensions of conflictresolution, as well is improving inter-personal skills. There are three guid-ing principles for conflict resolution:be calm, be patient, and have respect,"he said. The first step is always to lis-en carefully to both parties. It is alsoimportant to maintain an assertiveapproach rather than ; submissive orpassive-aggressive approach. "Theuse of statements improves communi-cation,' Bashir said.

The next step should be to brainstormall possible solutions. "Never jump toa solution without thinking it through.“This mode of thinking will notresolve conflicts," he said. After allthe possible outcomes are laid out onthe table, the next step should be to tryto negotiate, a solution. "Solutionsshould not be imposed, but negotiat-ed," the speaker stressed.

He also spoke about "AlternateDispute Resolution" (ADR).Panchayts and jirgas fall under this

category, and a participant spokeabout how a new system is beingimplemented at the union council(UC)-level. The system is in accor-dance to SLGO 2002, and the focus ison settling conflicts amicably.

Bashir then spoke about the dos anddon'ts of mediation. "Never mediatean argument if you 'feel' you're biasedtowards one party. Always ask anunbiased person to be the mediator,"he said. "Also, while the mediatorneeds to control the process, he or sheshould not rush it. Write everythingout on a board so that everyone knowswhat's going on, and progress ismade."

Moreover, Bashir said that if one partyseems to be going along and not actu-ally agreeing, stop and state your con-cern immediately. "Most importantly,always stay focused, don't enter intothe fray, and never try to 'rescue' eitherparty," he. said.

Shehri Workshop on ‘Paticipatory Citizen-Police Interaction for Improved Policing of Human Rights Violations’ (Friday-Saturday, November 2-3, 2007 (Hotel Avari, Karachi)


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We express our disappoint-ment in KPT's erroneousperception of its function in

the city of Karachi.

We attention to the following:

1. The KPT's role, under KPT Act1886, is not to developtourist/commercial ventures, butto manage the port and protect itsenvironment.

2. Land in KPT jurisdiction is dedi-cated for the development ofports and harbours, not for com-mercial use.

3. Land along the seashore is sub-ject to the 'doctrine of public trust'which mandates that citizenshave an unalienable right andunfettered access to the sea-shore.Private beaches cannot be allottedto hotels/resorts or commercialoffices & housing. No construc-tion should be undertaken on theseaward side of the beach road.

4. Reclamation of sea-bed may onlybe undertaken by KPT itself forbuilding port facilities (wharves,jetties, quays, bridges, etc, andnot for hotels, entertainment com-plexes, offices & housing), aftercarrying out detailed hydraulicstudies to define and mitigateadverse effects on the existingharbour.

5. Under the Pakistan EnvironmentProtection Act 1997, a touristdevelopment project costingmore than Rs 50 million mustfirst undergo an EnvironmentalImpact Assessment (EIA) exer-cise involving the invitation &consideration of public com-

ments/objections.

6. The ownership of land recoveredfrom the sea is with the SindhGovernment, and falls in a "pro-tected" category which cannot beallotted to anyone.

May we suggest that the KPT worksto protect the environment of theseashore in its jurisdiction fromexploiters and marauders (includingthe KPT Officers' Housing Societyand the DHA) so that the general pub-lic is afforded free access to the entirebeach, and a God-given resource ispreserved in its pristine state for ourfuture generations?

Establishment of industries on 68acres near heritage site 15th centu-ry Chaukhandi Tombs in BinQasim Town

We are appalled that the sanctityof this heritage site (protected

under the Antiquities Act 1975, andnotified at Serial 157 dated 7-9-1995under Sindh Cultural (Preservation)Act 1994) would be sacrificed by thegovernment at the altar of profit andso-called industrial progress.

If we erase out history and obliterateour past, our future is also doomed. Itis imperative that we carefully pre-serve historical sites like theChaukhandi Tombs for the benefit offuture generations of Pakistanis.

Conservation of a historical culturalsite includes preservation of the areaaround it so that the ambiance is pro-tected. Additionally, pollution, efflu-ents, traffic and similar undesirableinfluences from the new industrieswill destroy whatever little is left ofthe graveyard.

Professional and technical advicemust be sought from local and inter-national conservation agencies in thematter. The recent closure by theSupreme Court of two industrial steelmills in Islamabad because they werepolluting the atmosphere is a case inpoint.

In the public interest, we ask the rele-vant authorities to cancel the allot-ments and maintain the inviolabilityof the heritage area.

In this section, we highlight some of our ongoing advcacy work and seek active citizen,participation for ensuring protection of public interest.

KPT: Trespassing its mandate?

SSHHEEHHRRII AADDVVOOCCAACCYYSSHHEEHHRRII AADDVVOOCCAACCYY

The Citizen Report Card -Advisory Committee

In Karachi, the Karachi Water &Sewerage Board (KW&SB) with sup-

port from Water & Sanitation Program-South Asia (WSP-SA) has rolled out awide ranging institutional reform agen-da. Central to this proposed transitionwas the growing emphasis to bring instrong elements of community partici-pation and consumer voice to thereform processes. In this context,WSP-SA decided to pilot a 'CitizenReport Card' (CRC) project based onuser feedback on water and sanitationservices in Karachi.

Evolved from the pioneering experi-ence of Bangalore and disseminated inmany countries such as thePhilippines, Vietnam, Ukraine, Ethiopiaand Tanzania, the Citizen Report Card(CRC) is an international best practicetool for improving service delivery. Bymeans of collecting citizen feedback onthe quality and adequacy of public ser-vices from actual users,

An important consideration for the suc-cess of the process was the ownershipby local stakeholders, through trans-parent monitoring of the CRC process.To ensure this, an 'Advisory Committee'comprising relevant stakeholders wasconstituted by the KW&SB for this pur-pose. During the first meeting of the'Advisory Committee' Shehri-CBE waselected by the members of the'Committee' to 'Chair' the Committee.


10

DATE EVENT COMMENT

Circa1975

12-08-76

30-08-78

16-02-82

Circa 1982

Circa 1990

27-05-91

21-10-02

16-12-02

19-12-02

Dec.'02

15-01-03

16-01-03

13-10-03

31-07-06

Nov.'06

01-12-06

08-02-0709-02-07

17-02-07

27-02-07

06-05-07

09-07-07 13-07-07

16-07-07

06-08-07

14-08-07

22-08-0726-08-07

27-08-07

30-08-07

31-08-07

Lines Area Rehabilitation Project (LARP), Scheme # 35(Gulshan-e-Zahoor) was conceived by KDA

Min. of Defence letter # 18/170/L/AD/(A)/Mlec/72

Works Division letter to Min. Of Defence.

Letter # K-24/45/153/148/105 from MEO containing details ofland handed over to LARP.

Lease Of Karachi Grammar School allegedly cancelled by MEO

Part plan of Karachi Cantonment by MEO shows the plot asGrammar School Playground.

LARP letter to MEO clarifying the ownership Grammar SchoolGround.

With the sanction of President of Pakistan, the property reclassi-fied from A-2 to B-4, vide letter # 55/79/Lands/2002-G/2198-A/D-12/ML&C/02

Development charges of Rs. 30 lakhs (@ Rs. 125/sq.yds) paidby AWT to Karachi Cantonment Board.

Commercialized by Min. Of Defence, and leased out to AWT for90 years @ Rs. 8.31/sq.yds.

Rangers are posted.

Nazim Jamshed Town, Arif Ajakia's letter to AWT stating that theland belongs to MEO.

Extract from the GLR

Letter from Station Commander to City Nazim

Sub-lease by AWT for 30 years to Makro-Habib @ 1% of theannual turnover with a minimum of 17.5 million per anum with100 million as advance rent.

Construction work for Makro-Habib begins

City Nazim's letter to AWT regarding handing over of 148 & 153to LARP

Shehri-CBE's letter to concerned Government agencies and Makro-Habib.

Project Director LARP's letter

Shehri-CBE's letter to concerned Government agencies andMakro-Habib.

Makro Ad in Daily Dawn & Jang, advertising for vacancies.

Shehri-CBE's letter to concerned Government agenciesand Makro-Habib.

Suit 926/07

Area residents' complaint.

Soft Opening of the store.

Stay granted in CP # 1740/2007 -Construction work in defiance of stay-order.

Ad in Daily Dawn asking people to register themselves ascustomer.

Construction work in defiance of stay-order. -

Area Residents complaint.

• 191.73 acres of Karachi Cantonment Land was transferred by MEO to LARP• Webb Ground was absorbed into LARP in Block 7 of Sch.35.• Approximately 200 acres of land to be handed over to LARP.

• Lists all the areas retained by the Min. of Defence from the land transferred to LARP• Webb Ground (148/1) does not figure in this list.• Therefore, is clearly indicated that Webb Ground (148/1) stands transferred to LARP.• Land is not transferred to Gov.of Sindh, being an institutional area.

• Rs. 30 crores paid for 200 acres.

• Land handed over includes 148 & 153.

• KGS was using the Webb ground as a playground.

• Sanction valid only for 6 months.

• Lease was done under Sec. 280 of the Cantt. Act of 1924 (para 16 of the lease deed dated31/07/06

• Lease granted on terms of Schedule X of the CLA Rules 1937.

• Land classification is B-3.

• Grammar School Ground is excluded from LARP, being an educational institutional area.• Land was A-1.

• Each outlet to have 200 employees.• AWT & Makro Vs. Shehri, Amber Alibhai & Cowasjee• No restraining order is granted.

• Construction is still far from complete. No sewerage drainage or link-up with KESC.• How did Makro occupy the premises without an occupancy certificate.• The purpose of soft-opening is to defeat the stay-order.• In the Suit # 927/07, it is stated that the opening of the store is due for the end of

August. Why the rush?

• Changing the status of their client base, thus again allegedly violating the stay-order.

CHRONOLOGY OF WEBB GROUND (PLOT # 148/1, TUNISIA LINES)“MAKRO-HABIB”

Jamshed Town, UC 8Area: 4.958 acre ( 24, 000 sq.yds.) (360' x 600') Population 2.5 lakhs


11

Pakistan Navy and Pakistan AirForce raised the issue of envi-ronmental degradation with

Senator Nisar A. Memon, ChairmanStanding Committee on Defence andDefence Production, during theCommittee's visit to Karachi inDecember 2006. The Senator was toldthat the pollution at Karachi Harbourand the Naval Dockyard wasdamaging Pakistan Navyequipment, including shipsand submarines, worth aboutone billion dollars over theirlife span. It was argued that ofa total life of 25 to 30 years ofa large platform, 30 percent iscurtailed due to pollution.

Pakistan Air Force submittedthat huge dumps of garbagedeposited near its bases inKarachi were attracting largebirds, which fly across landingand take off path, posing serious threatto aircraft and pilots. Some seriousaccidents had occurred, resulting inloss of precious lives of pilots anddamage to high cost aircraft.

The issue was made part of theCommittee's agenda to understandand discuss it at length. TheCommittee, on the recommendationof Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayedsupported by the Committee Membersand Ministers of State for Defence andEnvironment, constituted a two-mem-ber Sub Committee, headed bySenator Memon, to study the issueintensively, and make recommenda-tions for improving environmentalconditions at the Harbour and aroundPAF Bases in Karachi. The Sub-Committee, which included SenatorEngr. Rukhsana Zuberi, held six meet-

ings in Karachi and Islamabad, andinteracted with about 60 individualsbelonging to civil society and variousgovernment departments to find anamicable solution. The Sub-Committee also went around inPakistan Navy boat to see the situationat the Dockyard and Fishing Harbourand also had an aerial view by a PAFhelicopter, of the environmental situa-

tion around PAF Bases: Masroor andFaisal, and Pakistan Navy AirbaseMehran.

The stakeholders unanimously point-ed to Lyari River, Malir River, HubRiver, Hingol River and four nullahs -Habib Public School Drain (HPS),Wallace Drain, Nehr-e-Khayam andJungle Shah Drain as main culprits,which transported pollutants toKarachi Harbour. Karachi's industrialareas have approximately over 6000small and large industrial units.Grouped into different industrialzones like Sindh Industrial TradingEstate (SITE), Landhi Industrial andTrading Estate (LITE), KorangiIndustrial and Trading Estate (KITE),Federal B Industrial Area IndustrialEstate, North Karachi Industrial Areaand industries at KPT and Port Qasim

Industrial Area, they discharge largequantities of industrial waste and toxiceffluents into these rivers and nullahsopening in the Harbour.

Moreover, oil pollution, includingeffluent discharges from mechanizedfishing boats, cleaning of bilges, tankwashing by a large number of mer-chant vessels, and oil tankers that pass

through Pakistan, compoundthe problem. The untreatedmunicipal and industrialwastewater enriched with avariety of marine pollutantsaffects the vessels berthed inthe harbour, and the harbourinfrastructures are seriouslyaffected. The indiscriminatedisposal of untreated liquidand solid waste generatedfrom domestic sources intothese rivers and nullahs createhavoc in the coastal environ-

ment. Presently there are three sewagetreatment plants in Karachi with totalcapacity of 151 mgd and about 300mgd untreated wastewater escapesinto Malir and Lyari rivers beforefalling into the sea.

Moreover, Chakora Nullah runningthrough Shah Faisal Colony and com-ing towards the runway is a majorsource of pollution near MasroorBase. The residents of these localitiesdump garbage and wastes in thisNullah and along the boundary wall ofthe Base. Besides a number of mar-riage halls and weekly Bachat Bazaarsare present in the undershoot of therunway. The leftover garbage andwaste food by marriage halls attractbirds, a hazard for all aircraftapproaching for landing. ChakoraNullah, which meets Malir River near

A Report by the Standing Committee of Senate on Defence and Defence Production onÒPollution in Karachi Harbour and areas around Pakistan Airforce Bases in KarachiÓrecommends various measures to tackle the challenge of coastal pollution. Shehri-CBEwas a member of the committee.

EENNVVIIRROONNMMEENNTTEENNVVIIRROONNMMEENNTT

Tackling the menace of coastal pollution

Effluent from a factory in the S.I.T.E. area that ultimately drains in the Arabian Sea


12

Korangi Industrial Area, is a majorsource of bird breeding. The placeprovides a combination of food andwater as an ideal breeding ground forbirds in the localities around Faisal AirBase. Similar problem is present inlocalities around Baloch Colonywhere unattended garbage dumpsattract birds. Few unauthorized build-ings have come up on approach funnel- a problem that should be addressedto avoid any unforeseen incident.

Many buildings in SaddarandP.E.C.H.S. have been converted intojewelry and gold workshops. Theypump toxic chemicals and fumes intothe air and sewers, and pose afire/explosion hazard. They are alsoused for warehousing and re-packingof chemicals, food, and clothing.Textile and stitching factories arehoused all over P.E.C.H.S.,Nazimabad, Saddar North Karachi,Landhi, and Malir, to name a fewareas. Golimar and Pak Colony inSITE Town are home to big marbleand stone processing factories. Theypollute air, water, and nullahs, anddump waste into Gutter Bagicha.Meat, poultry and fish stalls open onevery corner, in violation of municipalregulations, pollute the area with offaland waste, attracting carrion birds.

The Sub-Committee studied the exist-ing laws to ascertain if new legislationwas required to control environmentalpollution on land and in KarachiHarbour. It was found that there wereat least 13 Laws and Conventionswhich govern the issue of environ-ment. Of them the PakistanEnvironmental Protection Act 1997 isthe most comprehensive. Other lawslike National Environmental QualityStandards 2001, Karachi Port TrustAct 1886, Maritime Security AgencyAct, Pakistan Merchant ShippingOrdinance 2001, Ports Act 1908,Fisheries Act 1897 and a number ofConventions were in place to checkdegradation of environment. It wastherefore considered unnecessary topropose enactment of more laws.

Separate laws exist for environmentprotection on land and for the harbourand the fishing harbour.

The Committee was of the view thatnon-implementation of the laws hadled to the present situation. A closescrutiny of these laws suggested thatthere was no loophole in any of theselaws and if implemented properly,there would be no cause for concernabout pollution. For instance SectionV of the Environmental Protection Act1997 established the FederalEnvironmental Protection Agency,which is responsible for administra-tion and implementation of the Actand the enforcement of the NationalEnvironmental Quality Standards.Section 10 of the Maritime SecurityAgency Act 1994 stipulates that MSAis responsible to assist other depart-ments and agencies of theGovernment to maintain and preservethe quality of marine life and to pre-vent and control marine disasters,including maritime pollution in andaround the ports, harbours, coastalareas, estuaries and other areas of mar-itime zones. Moreover, powers underPakistan Environmental ProtectionAct 1997 have been delegated toMaritime Security Agency to checkenvironment at the harbour.

Section 554 of Pakistan MerchantShipping Ordinance 2001 stipulatesthat the discharge of sewage and dis-posal of garbage into the sea is pro-hibited. Similarly, Section 54 of thePorts Act 1908 clearly states that ifany person disobeys any rule or orderhe shall be punishable for every suchoffence with fine which may extend to50,000 rupees. The Ministry of Portsand Shipping, which is the implement-ing agency of these Acts, needs to riseto the occasion and implement thesame. Additionally, Part XII of theUnited Nations Convention of Law ofthe Sea (UNCLOS) deals with protec-tion and preservation of the MarineEnvironment. Article 194 of theConvention enumerates measures toprevent, control and reduce pollution

in a Maritime Environment. TheFisheries Act 1997 also deals withenvironment degradation of the fish-ing areas.

Besides non-implementation of exist-ing laws, the present undesirable situ-ation regarding environment degrada-tion on land is the result of lack ofcoordination between EPA, KarachiCity District Government, FPCCI,KCCI, DMA and Cantonment Boards.Similarly, lack of coordinationbetween Pakistan Navy, Karachi PortTrust, Karachi Fishing Harbour andMaritime Security Agency has result-ed in degradation of the environmentof the harbour and dockyard area. AMarine Pollution Control Board,established in June 1994 and function-ing under the chairmanship of Chief ofNaval Staff, was transferred to theMinistry of Communications in 1999and remained functional under thechairmanship of Minister forCommunications till September 2001.Thereafter the Board was disbandedand its functions were assigned toNational Environmental CoordinationCommittee (NECC), which is headedby DG Pakistan EPA. Not a singlemeeting of this Committee has beenheld so far because of bureaucraticwrangling among the members of theCommittee. Presently DG MSA andDG Ports and Shipping, who are mem-bers of the Committee and two starofficers of Pakistan Navy, may notlike to sit in a Committee headed by aBS-20 officer. Therefore whateverminimum coordination was availabledue to the NECC is presently nonexistent, resulting in the presentmalaise. Pakistan EnvironmentalProtection Council, which is headedby the Prime Minister, has also notmet frequently to address environmentas a national issue.

It is apparent that the PakistanEnvironmental Protection Council,which is the only competent forum toresolve conflicts between numerousagencies responsible for controllingenvironmental degradation, has not


13

i) All land owners and munici-pal agencies of the city mustadhere and strictly followtheir lease conditions andzoning/land use rules.

ii) Industrial parks must beestablished and all illegalsmall and large industries beshifted to these parks. Theseindustrial parks must havetheir collective treatmentplants, and each industrymust be made to complywith NEQS 2001.

iii) The existing industriesestablished in SITE, KITE,Landhi Industrial area,Federal 'B' Area IndustrialArea, and North KarachiIndustrial Area must havecollective treatment plants,and monitor the complianceof their individual industrieswith NEQS 2001.

iv) A public education campaign('safai nisf iman hai) must bemounted for at least tenyears to reduce the buildupof public pollution andgarbage all over the city.This is specially so withregards to food and relateditems.

v) Unlicensed and unhygienicfood outlets and meat/poul-try/fish stalls must be shutdown.

vi) The siting of locations(industrial areas, markets,etc) that generate excessivesolid waste must be madekeeping in view the flightpath of defence and otheraircraft.

Vii) The establishment of properlandfill sties, and the setting

up of an effective garbagecollection system (probablyin the private sector) isrequired immediately. Since"garbage is gold" this shouldnot be impossible.

viii) To reduce volume of solidwaste manufacturing unitswhich supply goods in car-tons should use plastic car-tons which are reusable.This will cut costs and makegoods cheaper.

ix) Garbage should be colourcoded for proper disposal.After segregation some solidwaste can be turned intomanure which can be usedfor gardens and plants. InEurope segregation is doneat the household level wherebottles, organic and paperrelated garbage are dis-posed of separately.Recyclable waste is recycledwhile organic waste is com-post, and the rest is taken tolandfill. Every pit has a life of50 to 100 years from whichbiogas is produced whichcan be sold. Secondhandclothes can be recycled intocar seat covers etc.

x) Landfill sites should be care-fully selected. These shouldnot be too near to the popu-lated areas and the airports,and not too far away to dis-courage garbage trucks totravel far off distance inwhich case most of thesevehicles make one trip a daysaving fuel of the depart-ment or contractor.

xi) Decision makers must see AlGore's movie, AnInconvenient Truth.

performed that function, leading todisbandment of the Marine PollutionControl Board and the non-operationof the National EnvironmentalCoordination Committee. In order toestablish a proper conflict resolutionmechanism some agencies at the fed-eral, provincial and the local levelsneed to be entrusted this role to ami-cably resolve any conflict of interestor conflict of duty. It is also evidentthat too many agencies are mandatedto improve the environment. Theirduties and responsibilities overlapwhereby responsibility is shiftedbetween agencies and in such casesthe polluters are at an advantage.Proper delineation of responsibilitiesand duties is needed so that account-ability of the agency and punishmentof the polluter is made transparent.Multiple agency approach would notbe in the interest of the problem athand. Pakistan EPA, MSA and portauthorities should ensure policingduty in their respective jurisdictions.

The question of resources available tothe agencies was never raised in themeetings by any stakeholder exceptFPCCI, which complained that fundspromised by the Ministry of Industriesfor setting up five industrial effluenttreatment plants were not provided.However, the Ministry of Financeinformed the Committee that fundsallocated in PSDP during the last fouryears are as follows:

Pak Rs.2003-04 445.386 million2004-05 355.254 million2005-06 2930.648 million2006-07 5804.175 million

After intense discussions with thestakeholders, the Committee made 19recommendations. Some of the keyrecommendations are:

i) The Prime Minister of Pakistanshould at his earliest conveniencecall a meeting of PakistanEnvironmental ProtectionCouncil to consider this report

Shehri Recommendations

Discovering the wonders of Karachiby Bilal Mustafa, City School, Multan

As our plane prepared toland, my eyes were wideopen. Sitting in the cor-

ner seat, I tried to look out fromthe window. My heart began tobeat furiously fast with happi-ness, what I saw was a glimpse atthe lights of Karachi. It was sowonderful....as it seemed asthough stars have reached theearth! The lights of the city wereglowing ans sparkling as far asthe eye could see, like the milkyway of the sky.

These were my first sight of myhometown after seven years. Athought came to my mind,“Karachi, the city of light”. Aswe proceeded to our lodge, itindecd proved to be true.

As I took my first step out of theplane door, I felt the warm gentlebreeze. fans. As we proceeded, Ilooked here and there, the won-

ders of the famous JinnahTerminal of Karachi andPakistan. It was so grand!Finally, we started our journeyon a broad a new metro. Slowlywe left the surrounding area ofairport, we started to travel onShahrah-e-Faisal, the mostfamous road of the city. I wasastonished to see so much trafficon the road at midnight, itseemed I was in Miami!

On the way as we went, I tookmy head out of the window toview the jungle of flats inKarachi. They stretched till thelimit of my eye. On the road wepssed the famous P.A.F. muse-um, dozens of KFC’s, car show-rooms and thousands of shops.Just on this road, I saw thebiggest commercial zone ofKarachi. We saw the famous‘teen talwars’ round about madeby Bhutto, with dazzling foun-

tains,Karachi’s 100 year oldclock tower, on I. I. ChundrigarRoad, Habib Bank Plaza andMCB Tower, indeed the skyser-apers of Pakistan. Then we looka turn to right and then reachedon the famous Netti-Jetty bridge,its shape like that of snake andwith the backdrop of the decks ofcargo ships loading nearby.Finally we reached our lodge.

Next day we visited Tariq road,Civic Centre of Karachi, theExpo Cntere, Karsaz NavalMuseum, National Stadium andthe old famous ElphinstoneStreet, now named the ZainabMarket.

Finally in the end, it seems all ofPakistan is present in Karachi,every community, language,buildings, vehicles, religions andcultures...in my hometown...Karachi the city of lights!


14

and direct all concerns to imple-ment the acceptable recommen-dations of the report.

it) Marine Pollution Control Board(MPCB) should be revived withMinister for Environment as theChairman in place of Minister forCommunications as was previ-ously the case.

iii) National EnvironmentalCoordination Committee(NECC), which has been giventhe mandate to control marinepollution, is presently headed byDirector General PakistanEnvironmental Protection Agency(BS-20). The level of theChairman of this Committeeshould be elevated preferably tothat of Secretary Environment,and Pakistan Navy and Pakistan

Air Force should be included asMembers in the Committee.

iv) The Ministry of Environmentshould invoke the clauses ofPakistan EnvironmentalProtection Act 1997 in letter andspirit and on war footing. Thisincludes enforcement of NationalEnvironmental Quality Standardsfor the vvastewater in Karachi byrelevant agencies. The Ministryshould hold quarterly meetingswith Provincial EnvironmentalProtection Agencies to monitorthe situation of environmentalconditions. NationalEnvironmental CoordinationCommittee should submit quar-terly progress report regardingharbour pollution to the SenateStanding Committee onEnvironment.

v) Pakistan Navy should improveits environment protectionorganization by creating an addi-tional post of a Commodore to beknown as Assistant Chief ofNaval Staff, Maritime Affairs andEnvironmental Control at NavalHeadquarters, Islamabad.Moreover one post of Captain andtwo posts of Commander mayalso be created to strengthen theexisting set up both at Islamabadand Karachi.

vi) The Ministry of Defence shoulddeclare Masroor Air Base andits surroundings as Cantonmentarea.


15

The Government of Sindhrecently constituted a‘Committee’ for monitoring

the Traffic Management in CityDistrict Government Karachi. Shehri-CBE was notified as the civil societymember in the ‘Committee’. The fol-lowing terms of reference were identi-fied for the ‘Committee’:

Terms of Reference

* To work out pragmatic solutionsto the problem of Traffic conges-tions/gridlock

* To propose efficient and conve-nient Public Transport System inthe City through Mass Transitand CNG Buses.

* To propose the effectie measuresfor removal of encroachment,illeal parking and unauthorizedbus terminal.

* To get the building laws strictlyenforced in collaboration withconcerned nation building depart-ments/agencies including KBCA.

* To coordinate with concernedagencies for expeditious rederssalof the traffic problems, in order toimprove traffic flows.

:

Shehri-CBE identified the followingreasons for traffic jams in Karachiand recommended suggestions forimproving traffic congestion inKarachi:

A) Major reasons for traffic jams

1) Lack of affordable, convenient,and widespread public trans-portation system for the city.Only 60% of trips are made bypublic transport: this must be

increased substantially2) Lack of enforcement of basic

traffic laws on the roads

3) Proliferation of encroachmentson the roads and pedestrian footpaths (including illegal parking,ad hoc bus terminals, schoolpick-up/drop, etc)

4) Inadequate provision of parkingwithin buildings

5) Reduction in road-capacity byprolonged excavations for munic-ipal development work

6) VIP &VVIP movements

7) Lack of a proper storm-drainagesystem, thus inundating (anddestroying) road surfaces

8) Inadequate traffic engineeringmeasures, including mal-func-tioning of traffic signals

9) Mushrooming jay-walkers(pedestrians crossing anywhere,hawkers/ beggars atintersections)

B) Persons/departments responsi-ble for traffic management & relat-ed issues

1) City Traffic Police (DIG Traffic& team)

2) City District Government(Nazim, DCO, EDO (Transport& Communications), DG (MassTransit), EDO (Revenue), EDO(Works & Services), EDO(Master Plan), CCOB (KBCA)}

3) Provincial Government (ChiefMinister, Chief Secretary,Secretary (Labour, Transport,

Industry), Secretary (LocalGovernment), CCOB (K.BCA)

C) Applicable Jaws

1) Sindh Local GovernmentOrdinance 2001

2) Police Order 2002 (which alsoprovides for removal of trafficobstructions)

D) Some short-term correctivemeasures

1) Remove encroachments on roadsand pedestrian footpaths (khokas,thelas, workshops, illegallyparked cars/motorcycles)

2) Restore illegal conversion ofmandatory parking spaces withinbuildings

3) Stop approval of multi-storiedbuilding plans without lawfulparking spaces

4) Stop 'commercialization' of resi-dential/other plots mid conver-sion of land-use without area traf-fic studies

5) Implement basic traffic laws (dri-ving in lanes, slower traffic(including buses, rickshaws,motorcycles) on left, stopping atred lights, no left-turn on redlight, no driving against one way,no jay-walking, signaling whileturning, observing speed limit,

6) Remove ad hoc bus terminusesand workshops from all over thecity roads (Lea Market,?Linesarea, etc)

7) Establish priority methodology

Shehri-CBE is notified as a Member of a Committee appointed by the Governemnt of Sindh toseek solutions to the traffic crisis in Karachi.

TTRRAAFFFFIICC MMAANNAAGGEEMMEENNTTTTRRAAFFFFIICC MMAANNAAGGEEMMEENNTT

Traffic Jams in Karachi

for emergency vehicles (ambu-lances, fire-engines) in traffic

8) Driver education and revamp ofdriving-licence issuance proce-dures

E) Some medium/long-term cor-rective masures

1) Introduce affordable, convenient,and wide-spread public trans-portation systems (bus rapid tran-sit, newer conventional buses,circular railway, etc.) to increasepercentage of trips made in high-occupancy vehicles.

2) Minimize single-occupancy vehi-cle use (car-pooling, no-car days,special charges to enter (CBD),encouraging people to use publictransport.

3) Integrate Traffic Police with CityTransport Planning/Managementdepartments into a Central

Transport Authority4) Ensure coordination between

land-use planning andtransport/traffic infrastructure

5) Introduce computerized trafficcontrol & management systems.

6) Re-plan the Central BusinessDistrict (CBD) with pedestrian-ization, re-routing of buses, intro-duction of shuttle buses, parkinglots, etc

7) Establish missing road links andring roads

8) Establish multi-storied parkingplazas in commercial zoned areasand not convert public parks forthis.

9) Provide for loading/unloadingspaces in commercial buildingsas mandatory

10) Establish and implement drainage

master-plan for the city11) Establish hawker zones with

strict control

F) Other issues related to traffic

1) Improvement of pedestrian safety(footpaths, overhead pedestrianbridges, zebra cross walks, citi-zen education) and vehicle-relat-ed fatalities

2) Reduction of air pollution (CNGbuses/ rickshaws/ taxis, catalyticconverters, etc.)

3) Reduction of noise pollution(horn use, silencers, major roadsaway from residential areas

4) Inadequacy of compensationof police officers and otherofficials


16

1. Dawood Chowrangi:o Broken Roadso Encroachmento Illegal stopping of Buseso Accumulation of rain water

2. Railway Bridge over Landhi /Quaidabad:o Poor maintenance (Broken

surface) o Loose expansion joints at

bridgeo Nonfunctioning of street

lightso Absence of reflectors

3. Portion between Bridge andQuaidabad Junctiono Over Flowing of Sewerage

Water near old DC office /Revenue Office

o Temporary Encroachmentso Illegal Bus Stand

4. Quaidabad:o Mix of Traffic / Jay walkingo Undulated / Broken roadso Encroachment (Temporary

& Permanent)o Debris / Constrictions

Materialo Poor enforcement of Traffic

regulationso Unregulated parkingo Accumulation of rain watero Illegal Bus Stand at

Bismallah Depot, AlmadinaHotel, old DC Office andHamid Hospital

5. Swedish Pak Institute atNational Highway:

o Improper filling of roadtrench

o Accumulation of rain watero Pedestrian-Jay walking

6. Malir-15/MalirCitv:o Illegal Taxi stand at inter-

section comero Encroachment (Temporary /

Permanent), Pathara,Garage, workshop

o Unauthorized bus stopo Spillover of traffic due to

closure of level crossingo Improper function of Traffic

signalso Undulated / Broken roadso Accumulation of rain watero Traffic Mix & Jay walkingo Poor enforcement of Traffic

regulations

KARACHI MASS TRANSIT CELL(City District Government, Karachi)TRAFFIC BOTTLENECKS ON NATIONAL HIGHWAY/SHARAEA FAISAL


17

7. Kala Board:o Unregulated parking &

Illegal stand (Rickshaw &Taxi) near Nehal hospital

o Presence of six sealers localrickshaw stand

o Huge concrete monumentobstructing traffic

o Improper Bus stop locationon side road

o Accumulation of rain water

8. Malir Halt:o KCR level crossing (uneven

surface obstructing traffic)o Illegal bus stop at Jinnah

road sideo Saturday bachat bazaar (pos-

ing traffic problem onSaturday)

9. Wireless Gate / JinnahTerminal Exit:o Wrong movement of Traffic

(from Jinnah Terminal toGreen Town)

o Encroachment (Temporary /Permanent), Pathara,Garage, workshop

o Illegal parking due LPG sta-tion on other side of the wall

10. Star Gate:o Entry and Exit problem at

Caltex Petrol Pumpo Spillover of cars due to

inadequate storage at CNGstation

11. Nathakhan Gotho Accumulation of rain water

along PIA Colony sideo Double & triple parking at

bus stops on both sideso Lack of traffic regulation

enforcement

12. Drigh Road Station / Bridgeo Improper placement of over-

head Bridgeo Double / triple parking of

taxis at stationo Illegal bus stop at bridge

rampso Uneven surface at level

crossing o Improper merging of traffic

at left hand channel fromRashid Minhas Rd

13. Karsaz Flyovero Improper merging and U-

turning at petrol pump side

14. Awami Markazo Pedestrian Jay walkingo Illegal Parking on main roado Tug Shop at Bus stop on

both sides

15. Shaheed-e-Millat Bridgeo Improper Entry & Exist at

ramps with out margining /diverging lanes

o Petrol pump entry at theverge of the ramp

16. Lai Kothi to Nurseryo Illegal School Car Parking

on main roado Chocking and poor condi-

tion of service road

17. FTC Flyoveri) Along Mubarak Shaheed

Road sideo Over flowing of sewerage

water, Broken roads / PotHoles?ii)

ii) Left turn channelo Narrow left turn channelo Over flowing of sewerage

water due to faulty disposalsystem

o Encroachment on serviceroad by FTC

iii) Ramp falling on Shahrab-e-Faisal

o Impediment due to improperlocation of Bus stop

o Accumulation of water dueto over following of sewer-age

o Inadequate curvature atmerging ramp

iv) FTC Building Entry &Out Gates

o Over flowing of seweragewater (due to faulty disposalsystem)

18. FTC to Metropole Hotelo Traffic congestion on this

section Shara-e-Faisal is

mainly due to inadequateroad width, saturation flowand imbalance of lanes

19 Sea Breeze Plazao Inadequate curvature at

Turning point

20 Rafique Shaheed RoadIntersectioni) Regent Plazao Over flowing of sewerage

water rendering one lanewidth ineffective

o Presence of pot holesii) Intersectiono High traffic level is posing

serious capacity problem

21 Metropole One-Way Coupleto Geometrical problem on ser-

vice road at Avari side

22 PIDC Intersectiono Pedestrian Jay-Walkingo Spillover of vehicles at the

gate of Sheraton and PerlContinental due to Securitychecks

o Double parking on PerlContinental side

Note: Intermittent closure of traffic signalsby traffic police need to be regulated.Micro processor based traffic con-trollers are capable to meet the trafficdemand (through synchronizationunder the flexi-link system). In case ofany complaint by traffic police, thesame be reported to the concerneddepartment for immediate rectifica-tion. The maintenance manualdesigned for this flexi system is quitetight and bind the contractor to attendthe major and minor fault with in agiven time. The maintenance manual /agreement also contain a penaltyclause which may be revoked in caseof non compliance on the part of con-tractor.


18

Corporate social responsibility(CSR) is a concept gainingcurrency around the globe.

The CSR concept frequently overlapswith similar approaches such as cor-porate sustainability, corporate sus-tainable development, corporateresponsibility, and corporate citizen-ship and as such does not have a stan-dard definition or a fully recognizedset of specific criteria.

While CSR does not have a universaldefinition, many see it as the privatesector's way of integrating the eco-nomic, social, and environmentalimperatives of their activities while atthe same time addressing sharehold-ers' expectations. In addition to inte-gration into corporate structures andprocesses, CSR also frequentlyinvolves creating innovative andproactive solutions to societal andenvironmental challenges, as well ascollaborating with both internal andexternal stakeholders to improveCSR performance.

CSR is generally accepted as apply-ing to firms wherever they operate inthe domestic and global economy.The way businesses engage/involvethe shareholders, employees, cus-tomers, suppliers, governments, non-governmental organizations, interna-tional organizations, and other stake-holders is usually a key feature of theconcept. While business compliancewith laws and regulations on social,environmental and economic objec-tives set the official level of CSR per-formance, CSR is often understood asinvolving the private sector commit-ments and activities that extendbeyond this foundation of compliancewith laws. CSR may also includewithin its scope a company's respon-

sibility for rectifying the conse-quences of its misbehavior, for exam-ple by cleaning up the pollution itcaused or paying damages to thosewho suffered from their irresponsiblebusiness conduct.

CSR commitments and activities typ-ically address aspects of a firm'sbehavior (including its policies andpractices) with respect to such keyelements as health and safety, envi-ronmental protection, human rights,human resource management prac-tices, corporate governance, commu-nity development, and consumer pro-tection, labour protection, supplierrelations, business ethics, and stake-holders rights. Corporations are moti-vated to involve stakeholders in theirdecision-making and to address soci-etal challenges because today's stake-holders are increasingly aware of theimportance and impact of corporatedecisions upon society and the envi-ronment. The stakeholders canreward or punish corporations.Corporations can be motivated tochange their corporate behavior inresponse to the business case which aCSR approach potentially promises.

Traditionally in the United States,CSR has been defined much more interms of a philanthropic model.Companies make profits unhinderedexcept by fulfilling their duty to paytaxes. Then they donate a certainshare of the profits to charitable caus-es. It is seen as tainting the act for thecompany to receive any benefit fromthe giving. The European model ismuch more focused on operating thecore business in a socially responsi-ble way, complemented by invest-ment in communities for solid busi-ness case reasons.

However, it is important to realizethat all said and done CSR stillremains a voluntary concept andpractice. In the absence of any bind-ing regulations at the global level thatspecifically address the issue of CSR,companies interested in advancingcorporate social responsibility and inimproving their social and environ-mental performance as part of theirbusiness have developed a widerange of tools available for applica-tion.

Tools can vary widely in terms ofobjectives, scope, costs, and level offormality, partnerships, extent ofstakeholder involvement, and manyother characteristics. Tools can beapplied to one or more of the plan-ning, implementation, checking, andimprovement facets of corporateoperations.

Businesses have options as to howthey can use the tools. For example,companies can use the tools that have

Farhan Anwar defines the concept and practice of Corporate Social Responsibilitywithin various leagal and institutional frameworks.

SSOOCCIIAALL RREESSPPOONNSSIIBBIILLIITTYYSSOOCCIIAALL RREESSPPOONNSSIIBBIILLIITTYY

Corporate social responsibility: Profiting with Conscience


19

been developed by others or they candevelop their own tools - either inde-pendently or in partnership with otherstakeholders. The tools reflect activi-ty at the domestic and internationallevels as well as initiatives by boththe private and public sectors. Insome cases the tools may be focusedon one element of CSR such as envi-ronmental protection and in othersmay be more comprehensive such asthe 'Global Reporting Initiative.'

Demanding CSR:A rising challenge

There is increasing focus on both theprivate and public sectors to beproactive in the area of CSR that arebeing challenged from consumers,shareholders, non-governmentalorganizations, international organiza-tions, and other stakeholders.Stakeholders challenge corporationsto adopt socially responsible businesspractices - at both the domestic andinternational levels.

Challenges and demands usuallyfocus on one or more elements ofCSR such as environmental protec-tion, health and safety, corporate gov-ernance, human resource manage-ment practices, human rights, com-munity development and consumerprotection. In the absence of bindingregulations, the challenges often callfor voluntary actions by businesses todemonstrate responsible behaviorand effective responses to social andenvironmental problems - both in thedomestic and international contexts.The demands also call upon the gov-ernments to reinforce corporate lead-ership and to enforce other policytools such as economic and regulato-ry instruments to encourage CSR.

The demands for socially responsiblecorporate practices are varying innature. For example, the demands canrange from a call for more trans-parency and disclosure of informa-tion to demands or calling in question

the methods that businesses employto manage their internal operationssuch as human resources manage-ment. Some may be directed at theways that a business interacts withthe rest of the community and soci-ety (e.g. human rights, consumers,and supplier relationships).

Interpreting and practicing CSR with-in a weak enforcement frameworkGlobalization and trade liberalizationhas led to a growth in the power andinfluence of MultinationalEnterprises (MNEs). To cite an exam-ple, as a result of trade agreements inthe World Trade Organization(WTO), and regional or bilateraltrade and investment treaties, therights of MNEs to trade and investworldwide are increasingly beingsecured at an international level.

On the other hand the development ofan international framework ofresponsibilities of MNEs regardinghuman rights, workers' rights and theenvironment is still weak. In particu-lar, an international enforce- mentmechanism to ensure standards forCSR for MNEs in worldwide trade islacking. The CSR is a concept that isyet to find a unified interpretation andlacks support of a strong enforcementframework.

CSR in the World TradeOrganization (WTO)

It has long been acknowledged thatagreeing on CSR standards in theWTO that is the international forumwhere trade agreements are negotiat-ed is a sensitive issue because WTOregulates the behavior of govern-ments not corporations. The WTOprinciple of non discrimination actu-ally conflicts with CSR mechanismsand initiatives that aim to distinguishbetween corporations which do notcomply with social and environmen-tal standards and those companiesthat do.

CSR at the United Nations level

Within the UN, the 'Norms on theResponsibilities of TransnationalCorporations and other BusinessEnterprises with Regard to HumanRights' (UN Norms), developed with-in the 'Commission on HumanRights' has the potential to becomethe leading international frameworkfor corporate accountability.However, the 'UN Norms' have notbeen formally adopted in their pre-sent form.

The 'Commission' has appointed a'Special Representative' that willundertake research into a number ofrelated issues and the 'Study', has thepotential of making a valuable contri-bution to clarifying the responsibili-ties of corporations. The UnitedNations also strongly encourages allvendors to actively participate in the'Global Compact' , which is a volun-tary international corporate citizen-ship network initiated to support theparticipation of both the private sec-tor and other social actors to advanceresponsible corporate citizenship anduniversal social and environmentalprinciples to meet the challenges ofglobalization.

CSR at the Organization ofEconomic Cooperation (OECD)level

Another international forum that isactive on the CSR issues is theOECD. The Organization forEuropean Economic Cooperation(OEEC) was created after World WarII to manage American and Canadianaid for Europe's reconstruction. In1961, the OEEC became theOrganization for EconomicCooperation and Development.

Its 30 member states produce two-thirds of the world's goods and ser-vices and have a common commit-ment to democracy and market econ-omy. The OECD covers economic


20

and social issues including macroeco-nomics, trade, development, educa-tion and science and innovation. The'OECD Guidelines for MultinationalEnterprises' that are aset of voluntary princi-ples and standardsadopted by govern-ments to which multi-national enterprisesare operating in orfrom the OECD mem-ber countries definethe understanding andpractice of CSR issueswithin the OECD.

CSR at the voluntarylevel

At the voluntary level,a number of initiativescan be seen thataddress the social andenvironmental respon-sibilities of corpora-tions with regard totheir suppliers andbusiness partners.While some initiativesshowed valuableprogress, the impact,in comparison to worldwide tradeflows, is very limited. A problem withthese private initiatives is the issue oflegitimacy and credibility of the mon-itoring schemes. One way to increasethe credibility of voluntary initiativesis to include NGOs and trade unionsin the governance structure of theseinitiatives.

A good example of such so-calledmulti-stakeholder initiatives is theUK based Ethical Trading Initiative(ETI). The ETI is an alliance of com-panies, NGOs and trade union organi-zations working to promote andimprove the implementation of cor-porate codes of practice which coversupply chain working conditions. TheETI is increasingly recognizing thelimits of social auditing, and isexploring alternative or complimen-tary models that emphasize education

and training for suppliers, capacitybuilding and worker education.

The OECD Guidelines forMultinationalEnterprises: Settingthe standards forimproved CSRthrough a participa-tory approach.

An interesting initia-tive has been taken atthe level of the OECDto structure a compre-hensive set of'Guidelines' for theM u l t i n a t i o n a lEnterprises to facilitateadherence to the keyprinciples of CSR andto establish a frame-work for voluntary andnon-binding imple-mentation of the'Guidelines.' Thisprocess and the result-ing 'Guidelines' andtheir implementationmechanism has been aparticipatory processand the 'Guidelines'

represent a negotiated documentagreed upon between the relevantgovernments, business, trade unionsand NGOs. This process, therefore,merits a detailed review given itscapacity and potential to influencemore such initiatives at other forumsand the problems in its effectiveimplementation that share many sim-ilarities with CSR implementationefforts elsewhere through other vol-untary tools and mechanisms.

The 'OECD Guidelines forMultinational Enterprises' weredrawn up in the 1970s - a decade dur-ing which the activities of corpora-tions became a topic of discussionamong international organizations.The sometimes negative impact ofcorporations on developing countrieswas given increased attention andharmful activities of companies to

countries where they were estab-lished met growing opposition. Thelegal regulation of businesses wascalled for and international guidelinescontrolling their conduct were set upby international organizations such asthe OECD.

The 'Guidelines' were adopted onJune 21, 1976 and represent non-binding recommendations addressedby governments to multinationalenterprises operating in or fromadhering countries. The 'Guidelines'are supported by 30 OECD partici-pating countries and eight non-mem-ber countries. They provide voluntaryprinciples and standards for responsi-ble business conducted in areas suchas:

Information disclosureEmployment and industrial relationsEnvironmentCombating briberyConsumer interestsScience and technologyCompetition andTaxation

Originally, the 'Guidelines' onlyapplied to companies operating with-in the OECD countries. However, thelatest review of the 'Guidelines', con-ducted in 2000, widened their scopeto include companies operating in orfrom OECD member states. The lat-est review also included supply chainresponsibility which means that com-panies should encour-age businesspartners, including sub-contractors,to do business in a manner compati-ble with the 'Guidelines'.

The only formal obligation that theGuidelines put on countries is to setup 'National Contact Points' (NCP),whose primary responsibility is toensure the follow-up of theGuidelines. The NCPs gather infor-mation on experiences with the'Guidelines,' promote them, deal withinquiries, and discuss matters relatedto the 'Guidelines' and assist in solv-ing problems that arise in matters

The ’OECDGuidelines forMultinational

Enterprises’ weredrawn up in the 1970s

- a decade duringwhich the activities ofcorporations becamea topic of discussionamong internationalorganizations. Thesometimes negativeimpact of corpora-tions on developingcountries was givenincreased attention

and harmful activitiesof companies to

countries where theywere established metgrowing opposition.


21

covered by the 'Guidelines'. The insti-tutional set-up of the 'Guidelines'consists of these elements: the NCP,the OECD Investment Committeeand the Business and IndustryAdvisory Committee (BIAC) andTrade Union Advisory Committee(TUAC).

OECD Watch

OECD Watch, whichwas established at ameeting inAmersfoort, theNetherlands, on March20-22, 2003, groupstogether NGOs fromEurope, the Americas,Australia, Africa andAsia that share a com-mon vision about theneed for corporateaccountability and sus-tainable investment.Members of theOECD Watch are com-mitted to the followinggoals:

o Monitoring and contributing tothe work of the OECD'sInvestment Committee

o Testing the effectiveness of theOECD Guidelines forMultinational Enterprises as acorporate accountability tool

o Disseminating information tocivil society groups, particularlyin developing countries, aboutthe work of the InvestmentCommittee on internationalinvestment, corporate gover-nance and the OECDGuidelines

o Advising NGOs about filingcomplaints against companiesalleged to have breached theOECD Guidelines

However, six years after adoption ofthe 'Guidelines' the main findings

offer as a classic case of the difficultyof getting positive results in a non-enforceable and legally non-bindingframework of action. There is no con-clusive evidence that the 'Guidelines'have had a positive, comprehensiveimpact on multinational enterprises.Without the threat of effective sanc-tions, there is little incentive for com-

panies to ensure thattheir operations are incompliance with the'Guidelines.' However,the 'Guidelines' haveserved as a useful toolof empowerment tohelp strengthen civilsociety' groups' abilityto address corporatesocial and environmen-tal responsibility issueswith companies andtheir own governments.Government and cor-porate responsibility gohand in hand

The concept and prac-tice of CSR are being

refined. They are gaining moresophistication with the passage oftime. New mechanisms and tools forimproved management systems of thecorporate operations in terms of envi-ronmental and occupational safety arebeing designed and implemented.Pressure from concerned stakeholderssuch as trade unions, labour groups,human rights and conservationgroups has increased the stakes fornoncompliance with the generallyaccepted principles of sociallyresponsible corporate practices.

However, various global trading andbusiness forums and mechanismshave failed to agree upon and effec-tively enforce whatever means areavailable to ensure socially responsi-ble corporate behavior. There is slowand limited progress in the search fornew initiatives. The corporate enter-prises have, over the years, assumedextensive political clout and influencein addition to their substantial finan-

cial powers.

The problem gets aggravated andmore complicated when dealing withoperations of MNEs in what is called'weak governance zones.' Weak gov-ernance zones are defined as invest-ment environments in which the gov-ernments cannot or will not assumetheir roles in protecting rights, pro-viding basic public services (e.g.social programmes, infrastructuredevelopment, law enforcement andprudential surveillance) and ensuringthat public sector management is effi-cient and effective.

In such countries that fit the descrip-tion of a 'weak governance zone,'firstly, the relevant rules, regulationsand standards are inadequate and,secondly, the implementation of eventhat inadequate governance frame-work is slack, and prone to the risksof widespread solicitation, extortion,endemic The basic premise behindthe concept of CSR is the creation ofan environment that contributes to theenhancement of the investmentgrowth hand in hand with sustainabledevelopment. In order to achieve thisobjective, it is imperative that effec-tive institutions ot public and privategovernance are established that laythe groundwork for durable improve-ments in the wellbeing of the citizens.

While corporate groups have a criti-cally important role to play, creatingthe conditions that permit this to hap-pen is primarily the responsibility ofgovernments whether in an individualcapacity or as part ot some interna-tional forum or agency. Corporateresponsibility goes hand in hand withthe government responsibility.

Farhan Anwar is an environmentaland urban planning consultant and

Editor Shehri-CBE EnglishNewsletter

Courtesy: NGORC Journal - June 2007

The concept andpractice of CSR arebeing refined. Theyare gaining more

sophistication withthe passage of time.

New mechanisms andtools for improved

management systemsof the corporate oper-

ations in terms ofenvironmental andoccupational safetyare being designedand implemented.


22

Commercial use ofbeach

land okayed

The Daily Dawn 11 Sept., 2007

Amid confusion over a quortum in the

City Council on Monday, the house

adopted a resolution about the change

of land use in the Clifton beach area.

The resolution gives approval to com-

mercial use through joint venture for

construction of a fiv

es car hotel on a

piece of land measuring 2.5 acres near

Clifton beach in Block 2, Scheme 5.

CDGK, Chinese Co sign

accord for solid waste

management

Daily Nation, 2 Nov. 2007

City District Government Karachi

(CDGK) and Shanghai Shun Gong

Environmental Protection Limited

Sunday signed an agreement to lift

garbage and carry it to landfill site at 20

dollars a ton for the next 20 years and

Letter of Intent (LoI) thereof issued to the

company.

The agreement was signed by Qian Yu

Lin, Managing Director of the company

and Masood Alam EDO Municipal

Services CDGK at a ceremony held at a

local hotel.

Fed govt housing schemesto be handed to CDGKDaily Times 20 August, 2007Control of the federal governmentadministered residences being runin the city wouldbe handed over tothe City District GovernemntKarachi, disclosed FederalMinister for Ports and ShippingBabar Khan Ghauri Tuesday.“The decision was taken to ensure

that such schemes are properlymonitored,” he said while t6alkingto the media during a ceremonythat was held to hand over 300 keysfor houses built under the FederalGovernment Employees HousingScheme.


23

We would like to inform you

that we are residng in a

purely residential housing

society St. Plot No. 22A, D.B.H.S.,

Shabbirabad, Karachi, and our neigh-

bour on Plot No. 21-A, is building a

house which is in complete violation

and illegal to the ‘Approved Plan’ by

the Authority and is very disturbing,

and our privacy is no more as the illegal

construction completely over looks our

house.

We feel that the metter is overlooked by

the concerned authority on the field,

inspite of realizing that the structure is a

complete violation and illegal to the

approved plan, and see no reason why

the soft corner is shown tothe builder.

An immediate action to this matter will

be highy appreciated.

Zehra Fakhruddin

Plot No. 22A, D.B.S.H.S.,

Shabbirabad, Karachi.

ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION

NNEEIIGGHHBBOOUURRHHOOOODD WWAATTCCHHNNEEIIGGHHBBOOUURRHHOOOODD WWAATTCCHH

SHEHRI invites the residents of the city to share with us, their concerns, on issues whichare adversely affecting their neighbourhoodÕs environment. Please write to us, preferablywith a supporting photograph, so that efforts are made and solutions sought - Ed.


24

Jheel Park renamed as Saleem-Uz-Zaman Siddqui Park in1994, is located close to Block

2 and Block 6 of PECHS (PakistanEmployees Cooperative HousingSociety). This site was reserved asan amenity plot as authenticatedand confirmed by the initial masterplan of PECHS of 1959. The actu-al area of Jheel Park in the MasterPlan is 16.90 acres(70,000 sq.yards) while the approximate areaof the park in use is 6.57 acres.Present Jheel Park consists of anursery, 4 lawns and 2 naturaltopographical troughs or jheels.

History of Jheel Park

The park was conceived anddeveloped by Syed Imam Ahmed,founder of the PECHS Society, asa recreational facility for the resi-dents of the area in 1957. It wasinitially carved out of barrenhillock. Syed Imam Ahmed alsosupervised the construction of aplatform which served as a placeof prayer, especially duringRamadan for Taravih. It had twolakes and water in the lakes camefrom natural springs.

In 1971, the maintainance anddevelopment of societies weretaken over by KMC and since thenthis park has been kept and main-tained by the KMC. In 1973, thethen administrator of PECHS Mr.R.H.Rajpar entered into an agree-ment with Awami ConstructionCo. and gave away 0.65 acres(2700 sq. yards) of Jheel Park, fac-

ing Allama Iqbal Road. This is inviolation of the building bye-lawthat "no amenity plot can be givenfor any commercial purposes".

In 1978, KMC started buildingboundary wall toward the side fac-ing east, to prevent it fromencroachment. A suit No. 918/78was filed in the High Court byAwami Construction Co. on KMCagainst the construction of bound-ary wall. A status quo was issuedin favor of Awami Constructionand construction of boundary wallwas stopped.

In 1987, KMC was bifurcated intozones and Jheel Park came underthe jurisdiction of HorticultureZMC (Zonal MunicipalCommittee), East. In April, 89,Awami Construction Co. built aroom and began construction ondisputed plot, which was laterdemolished by KMC.

In 1991, same plot was encroachedupon by third party and High

Court ordered both parties to buildboundary wall on joint expenses.A lot of correspondence wasexchanged between both partiesbut no boundary wall was everbuilt.

In 1992, Shehri-CBE took thisproject and motivated the area res-idents resulting in the formation ofa citizen society of PECHS. Shehrialong with the citizen society ofthe area formulated a plan for therenovation of Jheel Park. Theadministrator of ZMC East joinedhands with them for the recon-struction of the park. Extensiverepair and renovation of park wascarried out. Large hoardings thathad been hiding the park fromview from its various access pointswere removed, garbage wascleared and signs forbidding thedumping of the garbage were putup at several places. Pedestrianpaths around and inside the parkwere constructed. Both lakes in thepark were drained of stagnantwater and sewage and the reeds

As the CDGK initiates the rehabilitation of the Jheel Park, Shehri-CBE recounts thehistory of development in the park

UURRBBAANN PPLLAANNNNIINNGGUURRBBAANN PPLLAANNNNIINNGG

Jheel Park: A new lease of life?

xx


25

were removed. Soiling of the sidesof the lakes in the park was done toprevent seepage of water andretaining wall was constructed toact as safety measure. Shehri-CBEplanted two hundred and thirtynine trees at Jheel Park. Mr. Malik,the then Director of Parks andRecreation, person-ally supervised theconstruction workand the setting up ofnurseries in thepark.

In 1994, Jheel Parkwas renamed asSaleem-uz-ZamanSiddiqui Park afterthe name of thefamous scientist.The developmentwork which wasstarted by ZMC andcitizen society ofPECHS neededupgradation , main-tenance and com-pletion of construc-tion work, but workstopped as ZMClost its initial zealfor the park upgradation. For 12years, no further work was carriedout on the site of Jheel Park.

The Byelaws of PECHS society

As mentioned in the license agree-ment of PECHS society,

Terms and conditions

2- The layout plan submitted bythe licensee has beenrevised andapproved by thelandlord before theexecution of theseplans. The licenseeshall not without theprevious consent inwriting of landlordor the KarachiD e v e l o p m e n tAuthority (KDA)(set up by Presidentorder No.5 of 1957hereinafter referredto as "TheAuthority" appoint-ed over the develop-ment of the areaaccording to the saidlayout plan) divertany plot to any otheruses other than forwhich it has been

approved.

Plot reserved for the publicamenities

The licensee shall cause to beerected and completed in and uponthe plots reserved for publicamenities the buildings for theerection of which the provisionshas been made in the schemereferred to in the presents and shallnot without the previous consent inwriting of the Authority erect orsuffer to be erected on any part ofany such plot, any building otherthan recuied under trie approvedscheme.

Stakeholders in the violation

Administration of PECHSThey transferred the land of thepark to Sultan Nagar and Awamiconstruction.

City District GovernmentKarachi (CDGK}They did not develop the parkwhich deteriorated the condition ofJheel Park.

Current Situation

Recently in march/ 07, allencroached land was taken backby CDGK. They demolished allthe illegal encroachment andopened space for public. In June2007, the Governor of Sindh inau-gurated the park and a budget ofRs. 125 million was approved forits development. The governmentannounced its plans to makethe park a beautiful recreationalplace. Cleaning of reeds andgarbage from site of Jheel parkhas started.

xx

In 1994, Jheel Parkwas renamed as

Saleem-uz-ZamanSiddiqui Park after the

name of the famousscientist. The develop-ment work which wasstarted by ZMC and

citizen society ofPECHS needed upgra-dation , maintenance

and completion of con-struction work, but

work stopped as ZMClost its initial zeal forthe park upgradation.

For 12 years, no further work was

carried out on the siteof Jheel Park.


26

AASSKK SSHHEEHHRRIIAASSKK SSHHEEHHRRIIMost residents when faced with any civic problem do not know which person or organizationto contact in order to solve their problem. In this column we invite the readers to share their

worries with us and seek our help, which is always forthcoming - Ed.

Q. How much land within Karachi City comesunder the control of CDGK?

Shiraz Qiaser, P.I.B. Colony, Karachi

A. 30.9%

Q. What is the population of Keamari Town?

Qadir Baluch, Keamari, Karachi

A. 583,640 (Year 2005)

Q. What is the total land area of Karachi City andhow much of that is built up? Karachi?

Sarwat Siddiqui, P.E.C.H.S., Karachi

A. The total land area of Karachi City is approxi-mately 3600 sq. km. of which about 1300sq.km. is occupied by the built up area

Q. How much solid waste is generated in KarachiCity?

Zafar Ahmed, Korangi, Karachi

A. About 9000 tons/day

Shehrineeds volunteers

be anenvironmental activist

work with an

experienced team

SHEHRI MEMBERSHIPSHEHRI MEMBERSHIP

Shehri Committees Legal

Media & Outreach Anti-Pollution

Parks & RecreationGun Free Society

Conservation & HeritageFund Raiser

2008Don’t forget to renew your

membership for 2008! (Rs. 1000)

Join Shehri and do your bit as a

good citizen to make this city a

clean, healthy and environmentally

friendly place to live in!

SHEHRI Citizens for a BetterEnvironment.206-G, Block 2, P.E.C.H.S.,Karachi-75400, Pakistan.Tel / Fax : 453-0646

With a cross cheque of Rs. 1000/- (Annual Membership Fee) in the name of Shehri-CBE with passport size photograph

Name : __________________________________________

Tel. (Off) : ____________ Tel. (Res) : __________________

Address : ________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Occupation ______________________________________

JOIN SHEHRITo Create a Better Environment

If you wish to joinshehri please send

this card to


27

The recent drive for coastal development in Karachi has fueled fears of widespread dam-aged to the ecology of the coast. Dharti, a recently launched coalition of civil societygroups aims to the safeguard the environmental sanctity of our precious coastal ecology andlivelihoods of the local communities.

The Government of SindhPlanning & DevelopmentDepartment recently placed an

advertisement in the DAWN (Editionof August 14, 2007 ) soliciting an‘Expression of Interest ‘for theDevelopment of Waterfront atWestern Coastline of Karachi centeredaround Hawksbay,Pakistan.Thisadvertisement has con-firmed the CDGK’sintention to go aheadwith its plans to privitiseKarachi's coastline.

The Hawksbay/Sandspitbeaches are one of themost important nestingsites for the endangeredGreen Turtles (Cheloniamydas) in the world.Virtually all the marineturtle nesting sites inSindh occur on theH a w k s b a y / S a n d s p i tbeaches, concentratedalong one 5 km stretch but extendingin some degree along the entire beachstrip of around 20 km. Sea turtlesenjoy a Protected status in Pakistan,either directly or indirectly throughvarious legal and regulatory provi-sions.

In addition, a large area of the back-waters supports a dense mangrovevegetation comprising Avicenniamarina. There is 400 hectares of man-grove forest in Sandspit area alone outof which 307 hectares falls in the cat-egory of dense forest. Many waterbirds of a variety of species are foundin this area while in the winter thenumbers increase exponentially asthousands of migratory birds visit thisecosystem.

Pakistan is a signatory to the RamsarConvention on Wetlands. On the basisof the criteria adopted by theConference of the Parties of theConvention, in Regina, Canada in1987, a number of global wetlandecosystems were identified as'Wetlands of International

Importance'. This list includes theHawksbay/Sandspit area. the KarachiCoastal Recreation Development Plan(1990-2000), an outcome of the studyand planning efforts sponsored by theMaster Plan & Environmental ControlDepartment of the KarachiDevelopment Authority , proposed aprotected status for this criticallythreatened ecological site and theHawksbay/Sandspit areas were classi-fied as 'Environmental PlanningZones Level 2' (Conservation Area)with limited infrastructural develop-ment but accessible for public towatch and enjoy the unique physicalfeatures and natural habitats.

Any project of the magnitude of theproposed 'Waterfront Development

Project' requires public disclosure,consultation and consent prior to itsimplementation. This need becomesall the more important if the projecthas the capacity to adversely impacton a sensitive ecological habitat ofglobal importance for example byrestricting access of the nesting turtlesto the beaches, altering the hydraulic

patterns of the impactedcoast and by land devel-opment, cutting down ofthe mangrove forestationand increased humaninterference with the sen-sitive ecology.

Other then the ecologicalconcerns, it is also fearedthat this project may con-tribute to further restrict-ing the already threatenedfree public access of thecommon man to theKarachi coast. In addi-tion, the impacts on the

overall urban infrastructure/utilitysystems, transportation, developmentpatterns etc. in the city require to beevaluated independently by the rele-vant experts at the earliest.

As a response to this development, anew civil society coalition of organi-zations and individuals, committed tothe sanctity of environmental valueshas been formed. The coalition namedDHARTI , aims to synergize and uti-lize the diverse capacities of civilsociety organizations in order toensure that all actions taken by officialand non official sectors in Sindh inparticular and Pakistan in generalrespect the abiding values of sustain-able ecological development.

AADDVVOOCCAACCYYADVOCACY

Dharti: Striving for environmental protection

The proposed Karachi Waterfront Development Project

The Coalition aims to focus on those threats posed by humanactivity that degrades the environment thereby threatening ourpresent and future generations ,and simultaneously choosingalternative paths that ensure environmental health and humanwell being while also promoting economic progress.

DHARTI has requested the CDGK that prior to embarking onthis project all information about the project is immediatelyshared by the City Government with the citizens of Karachi atappropriate public forums through the print and electronicmedia and other electronic means such as the opening of adetailed project website.


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The Coalition members are as follows:

Bahn Beli

Helpline Trust

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

Indus Earth

Institute of Architects and Planners

Karachi Women's Peace Committee

Maheegir Tehrik

Piler

Sahil Bachao

Shehri

SPO

Shirkatgah

World Wildlife Fund

Women Action Forum

Office Bearers" There will be a Chairperson

and a Vice-chairperson of theCoalition.

" There will be one GeneralSecretary responsible for coor-dination and administrativeaffairs

" The post of Treasurer will lievacant till such time it isdeemed necessary to appointone

" There will be a postal addressand a secretariat assigned forthe running of the affairs of thecoalition

MembersThere will be two categories ofmembers:" Institutional Members - Voting

Members" Individual Members - Non-vot-

ing membersThere will be 'General BodyMembers' and a 'CentralCommittee'. The members wouldnominate the post of Chairperson

and Co-chairperson, GeneralSecretary and the Treasurer bymajority vote. The term of officewould be of two years.

The office bearers would have theauthority to represent the coalitionat all forums or they may nominateany ordinary member of theCoalition to attend on their behalf.All decisions of the Coalition to bemade by majority vote.

Sub-CommitteesThere will be three subcommitteesof this broad coalition to allow themembers to choose to work in areasof their choice, however all mem-bers would be obliged to supportthe efforts of their member partnersin whatever way possible.

Subcommittees1) Coastal areas of Sindh and

marine habitat of Sindh

2) Urban Sindh

3) Rural Sindh

The subcommittee members wouldhave the option to meet and co-ordinate independently while work-ing on joint issues. They could thenpresent a report of their workings tothe Central Committee meeting.

The Central Committee wouldmeet the first Tuesday of everymonth, the time and venue wouldbe determined by the GeneralSecretary.

Two thirds attendance would con-stitute as the minimum 'quorum'requirement for the CentralCommittee meetings

LitigationIn matters relating to litigation ifsome members of the coalition pro-posed to go to courts the othermembers of the coalition wouldhave the option of abstaining frombecoming a partner in litigation ifthey so desired. However being amember of the coalition they willpledge to support the other mem-bers in any other way.

The Dharti Members

DHARTI : Structuring a Coalition

nl ju-dec 5dec - shehriproject would also positively impact trust building between citizens and...

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