Largest Sty in the world

Majyd Aziz

The largest sty in the world is ironically in Pakistan. In fact in Karachi, known as SITE Karachi. It is an industrial estate with 3000 plus industries, shops and warehouses and managed by a quasi-government organization called SITE Ltd while the “tenants” are represented by SITE Association of Industry. But why would this estate that contributes 28% to the nation’s Treasury be dubbed as a ‘sty’?

The answer lies in taking a tour of this 4500-acre estate. I once wrote a satirical letter to editor that USA was looking for OBL in the wrong place. That guy was probably hiding in SITE because it looked like Tora Bora. Today, it is many times worse than that.

From the moment one passes through one of the many entry points, be it from Banaras Colony, or from Mauripur Road, or from Nazimabad, or from Metroville or any other entry point, till the time one leaves the estate, that person would undoubtedly agree that SITE is the largest sty in the world.

The infrastructure in SITE has totally collapsed. Roads are full of potholes, with stagnant water, and so bumpy that motorcyclists are not able to handle their vehicles. Industrialists who daily traverse on these roads dread bringing their new cars. Commuters travelling on buses usually sit on the roof and perform acrobatic feats trying to balance themselves. The worst nightmare is travelling on side roads or lanes. These are akin to rocky and steep mountains in Balochistan or KPK.

SITE is blatantly encroached by whosoever pays the piper. Makeshift huts are everywhere that sell food, betel leaves, oil, or just about everything. Even the drains are encroached. The janitorial staff is seldom seen in the area. The whole estate is filled with unpicked garbage that at times spills over on the roads and lanes. Graffiti, like political slogans, threats from ethno-religious-political elements, remedies for male impotence and for hemorrhoids, and of course for educational institutions, are on nearly every wall. Obelisks, billboards, and even curbstones are not spared by graffiti writers.

Things become difficult and frustrating when criminals, indulging in street crimes, taking advantage of the dilapidated roads where vehicles have to slow down, snatch cellphones and wallets and conveniently and confidently hit on their next victim.

The administrators of the estate rarely get out of their offices. It is said that the concerned Minister would regularly visit SITE Ltd. Why? Who knows, but the sad fact is that SITE has crumbled and probably beyond repairs. What has happened to the millions in development allocation? Where have the funds gone?

The SITE Association of Industry is no more a strong body. It has no voice where once it was called Voice of Industry. The Association leadership and senior members (including this writer) are concentrating more on Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The industrialists and traders in SITE have resigned themselves that it is better to be quiet and, when needed, pay bribes and get things done.

Hashim B Sayeed, Former Chairman and a Founder of SITE Association of Industry, once very harshly and with disdain and scorn in his voice, had termed SITE as a “pig sty”. How right he was!