Daily Times

KARACHI: Statue of slain leader of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed mounted in Boat Basin area has become a victim of negligence on the part of district administration as well as her party’s leadership, Daily Times has learnt.

The statue was imported from Italy at a cost of Rs25 million. It was inaugurated by PPP’s leader Dr Nisar Morai on June 21, 2014 on the eve of 61st birthday of later Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

The sculpture became a piece of attraction for citizens of the metropolis besides the PPP leaders and workers as it is installed within a distance of one kilometer from the Bilawal House, the party’s headquarters.

Initially, a watchman and four guards were deputed for the proper maintenance and security of the statue. They all are drawing salaries without performing their duties, insiders told this scribe.

At the time of mounting, the statute had lights of different colors with a fountain around it.

Now the sculpture had become victim of negligence by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and the District Municipal Corporation as both are claiming that the statue does not fall under their jurisdiction, sources added.

Sources said Assefa Bhutto Zardari recently visited Benazir Bhutto Park at Boat Basin and was shocked to see heaps of garbage on the premises.

“Assefa Bhutto Zardari inquired from the Sindh Minister for Local Government Jam Khan Shoro who later ordered immediate lifting of garbage with heavy machinery”, they said.

The area around the statute is heavily littered with garbage and filthy material, creating ugly scene as a water pond is dried-up while lighting system has been stolen away.

Faisal Ahmed, a party jiyala, told Daily Times that almost all of the PPP leadership passes through the area while going towards the Bilwal House. However, no one has ever bothered to take notice of the condition of the statue.

“KMC says the DMC is responsible for proper maintenance and look-over of the statue while the DMC puts the responsibility on KMC”, he added.

When contacted, PPP Senator Saeed Ghani expressed his shock and assured that he would take up the matter with the KMC. The KMC is responsible for maintenance of all parks in the city and the statue is also part of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Park, he added.