This week 50 years ago: Displaced people and rehabilitation plans.

THE language riots in the city had caused many families to leave their homes and shift to safer places. The task of the authorities was two-fold: not to let unruliness to take place anymore and to make sure that the affected households get necessary assistance. On July 27, 1972 the Karachi Relief Committee constituted four sub-committees to ascertain the damage in various parts of the city during the recent disturbances. They were to also recommend relief measures for speedy rehabilitation of the uprooted persons.

The meeting, presided over by the city deputy commissioner, was attended by local MPAs, philanthropists, social workers and volunteers. They appealed to the affected citizens to register their claims with the respective sub-committees by July 31.

It was not just Karachi that bore the brunt of the political turmoil - the entire province of Sindh was engulfed in it. On July 26, it was reported that about 500 families dislocated during the disturbances in different parts of Sindh had come to Karachi and had been temporarily lodged in four transit camps set up by 'public-spirited' people.

Out of them, over 200 families were from Larkana. They were kept in camps at Saudabad, Drigh Colony, Azizabad and Godhra Camp (new Karachi). Most of them, earning a living through various professions and trades, had no relations in Karachi.

The Sindh government, in the meantime, was keeping an eye on another important matter as well.

On July 28, the Provincial Finance Minister, Kamal Azfar, said the government had formulated a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of hut dwellers and the shelter-less in Karachi. He told the workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) during his visit to the PPP Jacob Lines branch office that under the scheme...