In March of this year, I was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Metropolitan Corporation Quetta. It’s been five months since I assumed this charge, and I have spent the last two years in Quetta. The general perception about this city has always been that administrative affairs, especially cleanliness, are severely neglected. Now that the city’s sanitation department is under my supervision, it’s important to shed light on some critical facts.
The common belief is that the employees of the Metropolitan Corporation do not work and that the organization is plagued by rampant corruption. Due to a lack of awareness about the realities of the Metropolitan Corporation, accusations of embezzlement in funds are often made. However, the truth is quite the opposite. The fact is that the staff of the Metropolitan Corporation is diligently and tirelessly engaged in their duties. The workers are always present on duty and work to the best of their abilities even in the most challenging circumstances. So, why does the Metropolitan Corporation face so much criticism? Is it that the department lacks the will to work, or are there specific factors that have rendered the entire department helpless in the face of the city’s deteriorating conditions?
To answer these questions, we must consider some fundamental truths:
1. The vehicles of the Metropolitan Corporation require approximately 40,000 liters of petrol every month, a consumption pattern that has remained consistent for the past five years. In 2019, the situation was the same, but what was the price of petrol then, and where are the prices now? The threefold increase in petrol prices has left the Metropolitan Corporation unable to operate its machinery. The expenses have soared to the point that the department is now in debt to the tune of one billion rupees.
2. Besides petrol, there are numerous other expenses. There aren’t sufficient funds to pay workers’ salaries, without which the system cannot run even for a day. The workers have not been paid for the past six months. Just think, if a municipality cannot pay its employees, how can it expect them to work?
3. The harsh reality is that the Metropolitan Corporation has been severely neglected. For the past two decades, no funds have been allocated for the purchase of new machinery. Dumpers and excavators were bought 30 years ago, and now they are not even capable of lifting their own weight, let alone garbage. The cost of repairing the machinery could consume the entire administrative budget of the department. So, who would take on the burden of repairing these machines?
4. The department has been operating without elected representatives for the past five years. It has not been given any development schemes. There is no budget for road repairs, streetlights, maintenance work, or other daily expenses.
5. A few years ago, all the towns of the Quetta Development Authority and all the wards of the District Council were merged into the Metropolitan Corporation, but the required funds were never provided. The already overburdened Metropolitan Corporation had to shoulder an even heavier load. The workload increased manifold, but the budget remained frozen, with no increase whatsoever. There is a continuous complaint that the department is not interested in the cleanliness of Kuchlak and Nawakali. But without adequate funds, how can the department perform its duties effectively? Holding the officers of the Metropolitan Corporation accountable is unfair because they are not responsible for these challenges. It’s not right to blame the department’s officers and workers for problems that stem from a lack of resources while ignoring the real issues at hand. And that certainly isn’t a solution either. There are many responsible officers in the department who work day and night despite resource shortages. Thanks to the dedication of such passionate officers, the administrative affairs continue to function, and the system has never been paralyzed.
The fact is that the officers, staff, and workers of the Metropolitan Corporation are diligently fulfilling their duties, and this is something that deserves every bit of praise. Individuals like Ashfaq Badini, Ali Raza, Abdul Haq Zehri, Bilal Yasinzai, Hasil Khan, Shah Saud, Sarwar Zehri, Anwar Lehri, Abdullah, Abdul Haq Achakzai, Khalid, Qasim, Ismail, Nemat, Naseeb, Baig, and many others are constantly engaged in their work. Undoubtedly, the dedication and passion of these individuals are invaluable, and they are the pride of our department.
The Metropolitan Unions also face criticism from various quarters, but if we look closely, they have never made any illegal demands. These unions of workers, employees, and laborers have always fought for their legitimate rights. I have no hesitation in admitting that I have been somewhat partial when it comes to the demands of these unions. Upon thoroughly examining the issues faced by the Metropolitan Corporation, I’ve realized just how severe the problems confronting the workers are.
Now the question is, how do we deal with this dire situation? How do we tackle the challenges faced by the Metropolitan Corporation? How do we ensure exemplary governance and cleanliness in the city? According to the Chief Minister’s vision, the only way forward is through Public-Private Partnerships. When a patient requires a ventilator, immediate action is taken to save them rather than getting bogged down in paperwork and risking delays. Similarly, the Metropolitan Corporation also requires immediate action because the department cannot afford the burden of bureaucratic complications, legal nuances, or red tape. Public servants often face the constant threat of accountability from various departments, which leads to unnecessary delays in the completion of tasks.
The modern world is moving towards privatization, and governments around the globe are focusing on regulation and facilitation because government departments operating through traditional methods can never provide more effective results than the private sector. Therefore, the solution to the problems faced by the Metropolitan Corporation also lies in Public-Private Partnerships. The faster we cross this milestone, the quicker we will ascend the ladder of progress. God willing.
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