Moro, with a population of tens of thousands, which connects several districts, has been denied due recognition for decades.
- Development efforts should not be limited to Karachi; they should also target other cities in the province.
By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden
Sindh, as a whole, holds the status of a mother for us, and the progress of Sindh is our own progress. However, administratively, there has been injustice toward certain cities or towns in Sindh, and my beloved hometown, Moro, is one of them. Situated on the left bank of the Indus River, this city with a population of hundreds of thousands is, in my view, a central and important commercial and historic city located approximately midway between Sukkur and Hyderabad on the National Highway.
Moro should have been granted district status some twenty-five to thirty years ago, but perhaps due to political or personal interests, this did not happen. Some people argue that after Naushahro Feroze was made a district, it is now unclear on what grounds Moro should be given district status. Others believe that if areas such as New Jatoi, Mithiani, Daultpur, Darya Khan Marri, or Bandhi are granted the status of subdivisions, a new district centered on Moro could be formed.
There are many examples in Pakistan where two district headquarters exist in proximity. Some residents of Moro also feel that even if the city becomes a district, only a few selected individuals would benefit, while the general public would continue to suffer. In my opinion, as the population continues to grow, new districts in Sindh will inevitably be created sooner or later, so why not prioritize a large and significant city like Moro?
Despite not being a district, Moro and its people have continued to develop. From a commercial perspective, Moro already holds a stronger position than its surrounding towns. In fact, in my opinion, among cities located on the National Highway, after Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Khairpur, Moro stands out as a major city in terms of both commerce and population, and it now deserves recognition for its self-driven growth.
Geographically, Moro connects the districts of Dadu, Naushahro Feroze, and Nawabshah (Shaheed Benazirabad). On one side, it links to cities along the Indus Highway via the Dadu-Moro Bridge, and on the other, it connects to the Mehran Highway through roads leading to Bandhi and Daur. It appears as though Moro has already grown beyond the scale of a district and is functioning more like a division.
Nearly every major and minor company has its agency or distribution network in Moro. There are oil mills and cotton factories present as well. Moro’s bypass is particularly well known, and travelers frequently choose to stop here for rest. The area offers excellent restaurants, petrol pumps, CNG stations, general stores, vehicle showrooms, auto workshops, and mechanics’ shops that operate around the clock.
Passenger buses from across the country often stop only at Moro between Hyderabad and Sukkur. Not only are there significant commercial activities along the main road and bypass passing through the city, but roads leading out of the city, such as Dadu Road, Dars Road, Bandhi Road, and Gachero Road, are also bustling with business activity.
Given Moro’s geographical and commercial importance, many business families from Kohistan have migrated here over time and have established successful enterprises. Due to its economic strength, almost every bank has a branch in the city. There are numerous housing schemes and marriage halls built in the style of Hyderabad and Karachi.
Moro’s Shahi Bazaar truly lives up to its name, a wide and vibrant marketplace where business thrives from early morning until late at night. Alongside it, Resham Gali and the mobile market serve as major commercial hubs. In my opinion, the livestock market held in Moro is the largest and busiest in the entire region, attracting people from surrounding areas every week.
When the bypass road was first constructed, it seemed far from the city, but now Moro has expanded well beyond it. With people from other cities settling here and the local population growing, it appears that the city will continue to expand in all directions in the coming years.
However, managing such a large and rapidly growing city with a limited administrative structure, such as a DSP, Assistant Commissioner, Mukhtiarkar, or Municipal Chairman, is no longer sufficient. As a result, incidents of theft and robbery do occur, and the threat always exists. A growing population combined with limited administrative and financial resources is clearly unsustainable.
Given the rapid population increase, there is an urgent need for sustainable rural and urban development planning, focusing on basic public welfare facilities in advance. This would help reduce pressure on cities where such facilities already exist.
Since Moro is located at the central point of Sindh, why not strive to make it a model city? Authorities should give it more attention. Even if not a division, at least it now deserves district status.
The city is in dire need of modern educational institutions in natural and social sciences, including engineering, medical, IT, science, technology, and agriculture institutes, as well as a general university and a well-equipped modern library. There is also a strong need for modern hospitals, such as NICVD, and for the restoration of railway connectivity.
If we think further, new institutions can also be established, for example, a political academy where individuals from all political parties can receive basic political education and training. Similarly, various other academies could provide skill development in fields such as acting, music, hotel management, arts, general management, religious studies, reading culture and literary critique, small crafts, social awareness, business skills, emotional intelligence, stress management, understanding human behavior, global developments, climate change, environmental awareness, human rights, and even awareness about animals and birds.
Such facilities would benefit not only the residents of Moro but also people from the surrounding three districts.
If authorities declare Moro a model city, the initiative should begin with environmental sustainability, such as establishing green belts or urban forests. A campaign should be launched to plant trees, flowers, and plants, along with raising awareness among residents and ensuring their maintenance.
Walking paths should be developed, and people should be educated about the importance and benefits of walking. Modern systems for waste management and recycling already exist worldwide; why not introduce such systems in Moro?
During the rainy season, the Dadu-Moro bridge area becomes like a festival, where thousands of people from Moro, Dadu, and nearby areas gather to enjoy the weather. With some development work, this place could become a major recreational spot.
For mental well-being, it is essential to provide recreational facilities so people can relieve stress. A society with lower stress levels is naturally happier and more productive. There is also a strong need for parks and play areas for children in different parts of the city.
Many people strongly believe that development efforts should not only focus on Karachi but also extend to other cities of Sindh. The decisions made today will one day be judged by history. If we wish to be remembered with honor, then fairness must prevail for every individual, every city, and every village. Otherwise, history is a harsh and unforgiving force that can reduce even the mightiest to dust.
Read: From Wells to Mineral Water Bottles
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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.
