By: Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat
Commissioner/Administrator, Quetta
In March of this year, I took charge of the Metropolitan Corporation Quetta. As I approach the five-month mark in this role, having spent the past two years in this city, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the local challenges. The general perception of Quetta, particularly regarding civic management and cleanliness, has been less than favorable. Now that the sanitation department falls under my jurisdiction, it is essential to bring some critical facts to light.
The common belief is that the Metropolitan Corporation employees are idle and that corruption runs rampant within the department. Often, due to a lack of awareness of the corporation’s realities, accusations of embezzlement and mismanagement of funds are made. However, the truth is quite the opposite. The Metropolitan staff are deeply dedicated and hardworking. These workers are consistently present on duty, even under the most challenging circumstances, doing their best with the resources they have.
So why, then, does the Metropolitan Corporation face so much criticism? Is it due to a lack of will to work among its employees, or are there larger forces at play that render the department helpless? To answer these questions, we must examine some fundamental realities.
Key Issues Facing the Metropolitan Corporation:
1. Fuel Costs
The Metropolitan Corporation’s vehicles require approximately 40,000 liters of fuel per month, a figure that has remained consistent over the past five years. However, fuel prices have skyrocketed since 2019, tripling in cost. This has severely impacted the department’s ability to operate its machinery effectively. The rising expenses have plunged the Metropolitan Corporation into a debt of one billion rupees, straining its ability to function.
2. Inadequate Funds for Salaries
Besides fuel, the department faces numerous other expenses. There is a severe lack of funds to pay workers’ salaries, a fundamental necessity to keep the system running. Workers haven’t been paid for the last six months. How can a municipal workforce be expected to perform if it isn’t receiving its wages?
3. Neglect of Resources
The Metropolitan Corporation has been consistently overlooked. No funds have been allocated for the purchase of new machinery in the last two decades. The dumpers and excavators currently in use were bought over 30 years ago and are no longer capable of functioning efficiently. Their maintenance alone could devour the department’s entire administrative budget, leaving no resources for actual operations.
4.Lack of Developmental Projects
For the past five years, the department has operated without any elected representatives, meaning no development schemes have been allocated. There is no budget for road repairs, streetlight restoration, or daily operational expenses.
5. Increased Workload Without Additional Budget
A few years ago, all towns under the Quetta Development Authority and wards of the district council were merged into the Metropolitan Corporation without providing the necessary funds. This merger significantly increased the workload while the budget remained stagnant. One ongoing complaint is that the department is uninterested in maintaining cleanliness in areas like Kuchlak and Nawakali. However, without the requisite funds, how can the department operate effectively? It is unfair to place the blame for these failures on the Metropolitan officials when they are not responsible for the lack of resources.
The reality is that the department is full of dedicated officers, who continue working tirelessly despite the scarcity of resources. These unsung heroes, like Ishfaq Badini, Ali Raza, Abdul Haq Zehri, Bilal Yasinzai, Hasil Khan, Shah Saud, Sarwar Zehri, Anwar Lehri, Abdullah, Abdul Haq Achakzai, Khalid, Qasim, Ismail, Niamat, Naseeb, Baig, and many others, work around the clock. Their commitment keeps the system running despite the challenges, preventing the city from slipping into dysfunction.
The Role of Unions:
Unions within the Metropolitan Corporation are often criticized by various factions, yet they have never made any illegal demands. These organizations of workers have always fought for their legitimate rights. I admit that I have been somewhat partial when it comes to the unions’ demands. However, after closely examining the problems facing the Metropolitan Corporation, I now understand the severe issues the workers are facing.
The Way Forward:
The question remains: how do we address this dire situation? How can we resolve the challenges facing the Metropolitan Corporation and ensure cleanliness and exemplary governance in the city? According to the Chief Minister’s vision, the only path to excellence lies in public-private partnership.
When a patient is on life support, immediate action is taken to save them rather than being bogged down in procedural delays. Similarly, the Metropolitan Corporation requires immediate action. The department cannot afford to be entangled in bureaucratic red tape and legal intricacies at this critical juncture. Public sector employees are often under the constant threat of accountability bodies, which leads to unnecessary delays in completing tasks.
Around the world, governments are moving toward privatization, focusing on regulation and facilitation rather than direct management. Public sector departments, operating with traditional methods, can never match the efficiency of the private sector. Therefore, the solution to the Metropolitan Corporation’s issues lies in public-private partnerships. The faster we cross this threshold, the quicker we will climb the ladder of progress. Insha’Allah.
