The Karachi Development Authority (KDA) Employees Union MQM (Pakistan) organized a General Workers Meeting at the KDA Land Department, 3rd Floor, Civic Centre, as part of preparations for the upcoming CBA referendum. The meeting was attended by a large number of office-bearers, workers, supporters, and dedicated employees.
Addressing the gathering, Unit In-Charge and Patron in Chief of KDA Employees Union Syed Imran Hussain Jafri stated, “We will inflict a crushing defeat on our opponents in the upcoming referendum. The government machinery is trying to sabotage us, but we will stand firm and fight back.”
He highlighted that the delay in the approval of the Charter of Demands is part of a conspiracy to deprive Urdu-speaking youth of employment opportunities. He informed participants that the union has filed a constitutional petition in the Sindh High Court for the approval of the charter and will not hesitate to stage protests at the press club if necessary.
Syed Imran Hussain Jafri added that the first point of the charter pertains to the regularization of contract employees, and the second concerns the restoration of the son quota. The charter’s 122 points are all aimed at the welfare of employees and the betterment of the institution.
He further emphasized that MQM Pakistan is the true representative party of KDA employees and vowed to continue the struggle until all issues are resolved.
He announced that a booklet detailing the union’s two-year performance will be published soon and warned the administration against obstructing legitimate work of the employees.
Joint In-Charge Mr. Akbar reiterated the commitment to continue the legal and political struggle for the approval of the Charter of Demands and the protection of employees’ rights.
President of KDA Officers Association Khurram Arif remarked, “Today’s workers’ meeting is proof that employees stand with KDA Employees Union. The people of Karachi are facing the worst infrastructure, unemployment, and law-and-order situation. The administration is bent on undermining our union, and the Urdu-speaking community is being deprived of employment.”
KDA Employees Union President Abdul Maroof stressed, “This is KDA. There should be no attempt to turn it into a Sindh Development Authority.”
He expressed concern over Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani’s obstruction of the charter’s approval despite the matter being on the governing body’s agenda.
Union General Secretary Qamar Abbas accused the Sindh government of causing financial losses to KDA and failing to sincerely address employee issues.
He pointed out that even KDA schools are suffering from basic problems, and the union is striving to get them included in the budget.
Information Secretary Yasir Ali Khan criticized the Sindh government’s delaying tactics regarding the charter’s approval, but assured that the KDA Employees Union remains committed to resolving employees’ issues.
Other office-bearers, including Adil Khan and Muhammad Jameel, strongly criticized the KDA Labour Union affiliated with the Pakistan Peoples Party, accusing it of luring employees with false promises without doing any practical work for the betterment of Karachi or KDA.
