Friday, December 25, 2009

KW&SB officials patron of illegal hydrants, says KWTOWA

December 22, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Despite stern measures and imposition of section 144 of Cr PC by the City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has failed to curb operations of illegal water hydrants in city.

KWSB officials have been blaming law enforcement agencies for not providing security during disconnection campaign.

These officials have tie and again said that the Police of area concerned were involved in the menace for money. On the other hand, Hydrant Owners have alleged KWSB officials were behind the menace.

As well, KWSB Chief Engineer Bulk Najmi Alam had recently told Daily Times that a high profile religious scholar was also involved in illegal hydrant business and has been operating an illegal hydrant in SITE town’s limits.

Alam had also said that during disconnection move of the illegal hydrant, supporters of that scholar had created law and order situation while Police of the area concerned had lagged to take any action. Henceforth, the disconnection could not complete.

There are around 200 illegal hydrants that are operating in the city while ancient conduit has also been damaged for digging out a connection.

It has also been alleged that KWSB officials were involved in selling water quota for the residents of certain residential colonies especially Malir Town to industries for hefty bribe. In this regard, a member of City Council Afsar Khan had pointed out this on various occasions.

There are certain popular hydrants, areas and owners or operators with majority of illegal hydrants such as Raees Mianwali hydrant, Future Colony and alongside the Liyari River, hydrants in Chakra Goth, Zia Colony and Sharifabad, Manghopir, Ayub Goth at Super Highway, Malir Town, Landhi Town and Gadap Town. M Jan Afridi, M Mushtaque and Mashallah, a police officer named Khanzada and others including Iqbal Soomro and Niazi run illegal hydrants in Korangi Town.

Karachi Water Tankers Owners Welfare Association’s (KWTOWA) General Secretary Hazoor Bux told Daily Times that the Chief Engineer Najmi Alam, Executive Engineer of area concerned and other KWSB officials were behind illegal hydrants for hefty money.
Bux claimed that Najmi Alam had received Rs 200,000 to 400,000 for awarding permission for illegal hydrant. As well, each water tanker owner pays Rs 400 to these hydrant operators for water filling for 2,000 gallons, he alleged.
Bux further claimed that the Town Municipal Administrations concerned have been extorting Rs 100,000 from each of illegal water hydrants monthly falling in their limits. Recently, the TMAs have raised monthly fee up to Rs 200,000 per hydrant.
Bux said that six month ago, he on behalf of KWTOWA had written an appeal to KWSB Managing Director Qutbuddin Sheikh for ban of illegal hydrants and curbing KWSB officials’ involvement but to no avail.
Bux also said that on Monday, Dec 21, he had called a well-placed officer in the CDGK and had given him a letter on the same issue so that necessary measures could be taken regarding control of illegal hydrants in the city.

Hotels, shops, marriage halls occupy Karachi’s 80% footpaths

December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Encroachment of public places, such as footpaths, link roads and main roads, all over the city has become a menace.

Concerned town municipal administrations (TMAs) of the City District Government Karachi have failed to fulfil their responsibilities regarding removal of such encroachments.

A well-placed officer in the CDGK Land Revenue Department said around 150 marriage halls, and barbeque hotels, restaurants and burger stalls have encroached more than 80 percent of the city’s footpaths on either side of the roads and in the middle as well.

He cited that the highest number of such violations could be observed in the towns of North Nazimabad and Gulberg - from Gulberg Chowrangi to Samanabad, from Ayesha Manzil to Yaseenabad, from Ancholi to Gulberg Chowrangi and from Water Pump to the entire rear side of Yousuf Plaza.

He said the city’s marriage halls generally and those particularly in the towns of Gulberg, North Nazimabad and Gulshan-e-Iqbal have been causing constant gridlocks, especially from Golden Gate near Matric Board Office to Sakhi Hassan Chowrangi in North Nazimabad and from Mukka Chowk to Yaseenabad in Gulberg Town.

He also said the encroachments were worst in North Nazimabad, as all barbeque hotels, shops and restaurants around Five Star Chowrangi, Pakistan Shipowners’ College and Landi Kotal Chowrangi had encroached every single footpath.

He further said the area in North Nazimabad from Five Star Chowrangi to Sakhi Hassan becomes blocked due to parking of hundreds of cars on both sides of the link roads and main roads.

It is the duty of concerned TMAs and DIG traffic to ensure the roads are clear, but unfortunately, the practice of parking vehicles on roads in front of the marriage halls continues and it is entirely basic human rights’ violation that the restaurants have encroached footpaths besides their premises for a petty fee, he added.

On New MA Jinnah Road in Jamshed Town there are no footpaths for the pedestrians as countless car showroom owners have occupied them, while a popular barbeque hotel near Allah Wala Chowrangi on Tariq Road had permanently occupied a link road, he said.

KIHD launches 3-year diploma in cardiac technology


December 24, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: The Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases (KIHD) has a 3-year diploma course in the faculty of cardiac technology after the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan approved and recognized the KIHD for the faculty.

Cardiologist Prof. S M Abdur Rab in his address said that Karachi was a mega city and the only cardiovascular institute did not meet city’s requirement regarding heart patients from every nook and corner of the city.

Prof. Rab further said that without use of latest technology and advanced healthcare facilities survival becomes a question itself so it was imperative that we should equip ourselves with latest developments in all fields especially the medical science.

He said that KIHD was in fact like a dream come true for the people and it would surely serve the ailing humanity.

He advised the students to take their studies seriously and explore new dimensions of professional expertise and excellence in their performances.

While addressing the audience, KIHD executive director Dr Abdus Samad paid tribute to City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal as he said that KIHD has been transformed into a well standard cardiac institute of the city because city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal wanted so as he kept him involved in the development personally. City nazim has with utmost devotion ensured upgradation of a small clinic to present cardiac medical complex.

He added that KIHD would soon have a nursing institute as well while the medical and surgical wards would start functioning soon.

CDGK Health Group of Offices Executive District Officer Dr Attur Das Sanjnani said that CPSP’s recognition of KIHD as teaching institute was an honor for KIHD and CDGK.

He added that despite worst financial constraints CDGK has managed to fulfill all requirements of its hospitals and medical institutes.

City Nazim’s coordinator for health affairs Masood Naqi said that spent Rs 600 million on completion of phase-II of KIHD.

It is pertinent to mention that city Nazim Sued Mustafa Kamal had to perform the launch of diploma but due to hectic engagements in other vital sectors, he could not do it. People had gathered across the venue of KIHD to see a glimpse of him but they were disappointed.

2000 patent applications withdrawn, rejected: PPMA

December 24, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: More than 2,000 patent applications of multinational pharmaceutical companies (MNCs) have been withdrawn by them or rejected by the drug authorities in Pakistan because of the firm legal struggle of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA).

This was stated by the legal consultants of PPMA Karim Ali Adni during a seminar organised by PPMA WTO Committee. He said that these applications of MNCs did not even meet the basis criteria of patentability. Chairman PPMA Zahid Saeed, Regional Chairman Tariq Ikram, and Former Chairman Dr. Kaiser Waheed also present on the occasion.

As much as, 5,000 black box patent applications were filed during 2008 by MNCs in response to government's initiative to register patents. They filed dual applications in violation of law as they were seeking protection of internationally expired patents, he added.

He clarified that a "patent" carries an inventive step and is a significant development and must have industrial application.

He said that PPMA has so far filed 434 patent opposition, which is about 50 percent of pharmaceutical patent applications advertised. Of these, over 50 applications have already been decided in PPMA's favour through withdrawal and abandonment, he added.

Adni pointed out that replies have been received in 195 cases and added that PPMA was opposing those applications on the ground that they were "unlawful".
He said that WTO Committee of PPMA has decided to protect the generic industry in Pakistan and take offensive against MNCs who were trying to defame PPMA at every platform.

He said PPMA has opposed some important molecules including PEG-Interferon, Omeprazole, Gabapentin, combination of Pregablin and Gabapentin, Azithromycin, Aripiprazole, Benzimidazole, Tegaserode, atorvastatin, Resuvastatin and Clopidogrel.

Adni said that Pharma Bureau, which is representing MNCs, has started a campaign to tarnish PPMA's reputation and feeding disinformation to authorities and the public in addition to filling fraudulent and ever green patents.
MNCs are trying to create a misconception that generic production was equal to counterfeit.

He said WTO Committee is fighting MNCs tooth and nail and is successfully challenging these misconceptions.

Adni pointed out that WTO Committee has been successfully fighting to prevent the enactment of Data Protection and Patent Linkage legislation, which are being forced upon the government by MNCs and international pressure.

These measures can cripple PPMA members and restrict them from entering new areas.

WTO Committee has challenged this campaign by giving presentations and lobbied PPMA's position before the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Health Secretary, DG Health, Chairman IPO, DG IPO and members of the Cabinet Division and Planning Commission.

DHA establishes free medical camp

December 24, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: As part of DHA’s initiative on health awareness programme on diabetics, hepatitis, anemia and other serious health problems, free medical camps alongwith necessary diagnostic facilities have been established at various institutions of DHA.

In this regard, DHA has ensured establishment of free medical camps with the support of a private laboratory and diagnostic centre under the aegis of DHA Medical on Dec 23 and would continue till Jan 8.

Further, eminent doctors and medical experts have been taken on board to deliver awareness-based lectures to the DHA residents.

DHA administrator Brig. Khalid Tirmizi has on the occasion of inauguration of first free medical camp established at DHA Main Office in Defence Phase-I said that health awareness was vital for developing a dynamic society with positive outlook towards life because a healthy mind was possible with a healthy body.

Brig Tirmizi appreciated the initiative of Dr Essa’s Lab and hoped that a large number of DHA residents and employees would benefit from the erstwhile healthy awareness arrangements.

Is KESC implying all Karachiites are thieves?


December 24, 2009

By Irfan Aligi


KARACHI: As part of its efforts to curb power theft, the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has come up with a unique way of reminding consumers that stealing electricity results in negative consequences, however, the power utility has ignored the fact that in the process it is humiliating the bill-paying and law abiding consumers.


The KESC has printed a shameful slogan on electricity bills, which goes as: “Hum bijli churatay hain tub hi hamaray bachay iskoolon main garmi say behaal hotay hain” (Since we [KESC’s consumers] steal electricity, our children have to suffer the heat in schools.)For those who pay their bills on time and still endure long hours of load shedding, this is like rubbing salt into the wounds.


Those consumers who are being sent a bill obviously have legal connection, and even if they are stealing power through the kunda (hook) system, then it is the KESC’s inefficiency of not being able to take stern action against power thieves that is to blame.


Humiliating the law-abiding citizens through implying that they are power thieves is a strategy that makes little sense.Instead of hurting the self-esteem of legal consumers, the KESC should take measures to improve flaws in its distribution system and reduce line losses.


Talking to Daily Times, many citizens said they felt offended by the humiliating slogans printed on the KESC bills.They said if the government was unable to address the citizens’ woes, which have been worsened due to the tariff increase; it should at least ask the KESC to remove such language from bills.

Sindh Minister Katchi abadis Muhammad Rafique Engineer Advocate oversees construction of SBBMC in LGH


December 23, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Sindh minister for Katchi Abadis and Spatial Development Engineer Muhammad Rafique Advocate has said that the Liyari general Hospital was a precious gift by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto while the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Medical College is also a gift by the President Asif Ali Zardari to the lyarities under the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

The minister stated this on the occasion of his visit to LGH on Wednesday to witness the pace of development work of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Medical College, which is being established in LGH.

The Minister had on the occasion issued directives to LGH Medical Superintendent Dr Mukhtiar Khawaja to ensure completion of development works on time so that the academic session should start during current academic year.

The Minister said that the Government has initiated various programs to provide basic health facilities to the masses.

The minister also said that the people of Liyari would soon start taking benefits of these development projects under Lyari Development Package as government was taking concrete steps for the welfare of the people.

On the occasion the MS LGH Dr Mukhtiar Khawaja informed the Minister that Rs 222 million has been allocated for the purpose for the year 2009-10, which have been released.

He also informed the minister that in order to provide quality health facilities to the people, Rs 114 million have also been allocated during current year 2009-10 for the construction of cardiovascular ward in the hospital premises.

On the occasion, Lyari development package Project Director Shafique Ur Rehman Paracha informed the Minister about the ongoing development schemes in the area and said that a special monitoring system has been evolved to ensure quality of work in these schemes.

The minister also inaugurated installation of generator facility at the Lee Market and shah Waliullha Water Pumping Stations worth Rs 250 million.

The minister said that the conspirators have once again started their efforts to topple the elected government. He said that under a vested design, the youth of Liyari was engaged in unemployment and uneducated but Pakistan People's Party's elected government would address all such issues.

On the occasion, member provincial assembly Dr Saleem Hingoro said that ongoing development projects were a sign that the PPP's government has complete understanding of people's grievances and these would be resolved.

On the occasion, nazim Liyari Town Hashim Mehmood said that the Liyari has started the journey of development and prosperity while the elected legislators especially Rafique Engineers, Sardar Nabeel Gabol have been struggling for the betterment of Liyari.

Liaquatabad TMA disburses salaries to Christian employees


December 23, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Liaquatabad Town Municipal Administration has disbursed salaries of Christian employees prior to the Christmas so as to facilitate them to celebrate their religious event with dignity and freedom. Liaquatabad Town nazim Hafiz Usama Qadri has stated this.

Qadri further said that Liaquatabad TMA has completed all necessary sanitation and lightening arrangements around the churches falling in the limits of the Liaquatabad TMA. He also greeted the Christian fraternity on the occasion of the Christmas.

KBCA claims to follow law on recruitments

December 23, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) has said that recruitments on vacant positions in the KBCA were completely in accordance with the existing law.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, KBCA’s spoke person has clarified that linking a suit regarding recruitments on the basis of domicile of Sindh rural and the city to Sindh High Court’s decision dated Dec 18 was not correct.

The statement further said that the necessary formalities regarding the recruitments were lawfully adopted while a KBCA Board that comprised senior KBCA officials was interviewing the applicants.

MQM wants LG elections, says MNA Waseem Akhtar

December 23, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Sindh Health Minister Dr Saghir Ahmed alongwith member national assembly Waseem Akhtar has inaugurated first computerized monitoring camp at M A Jinnah Road.

The Jamshed town Municipal Administration has established the computerized monitoring camp in order to ensure effective control of Muharram processions on M A Jinnah road amid escalating threats of terrorism.

In his address, Sindh Health Minister Dr Saghir Ahmed said that establishment of the computerized monitoring camp was a step ahead for securing the entire sensitive area during Muharram days.

The minister lauded nazim Jamshed town Javed Ahmed for executing the concrete measures for the protection of the citizens especially the mourners.

On the occasion, MNA Waseem Akhtar said that establishment of the computerized monitoring camp was a major step toward maintaining law and order in the area.

On the issue of Local Government System’s fate, Akhtar said that the government has been conveyed of necessary suggestions regarding local government and that Muttahidda Qaumi movement wanted local bodies elections so as to ensure continuation of the LG System.

CDGK established 350 parks in city, says city Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal


December 23, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has so far established 350 parks in the city while Shuhada-e-Haq Model Family Park in union council No 8 in North Nazimabad Town has constructed this 4-acre park with a cost of Rs 20 million.

These 350 small and big parks and number of sports grounds would help improve the environment while various types of pollution and the citizens have got better and quality recreation facilities near to their homes.

He expressed these views on the occasion of inauguration of Shuhada-e-Haq Model Family Park in union council No 8 in North Nazimabad Town on Wednesday.

Hameed, member provincial Assembly Abdul Moeed Siddiqui, District Coordination Officer Karachi Muhammad Javed Hanif Khan, North Nazimabad Town Nazim Mumtaz Hameed and Director Parks and Horticulture Department Liaquat Ali Khan were also present.

He said that development was an ongoing process and it never ends at any point. Adding that the present development process in city must continue or the whole nation would have to bear the brunt of its stoppage.

Despite thousands of projects completed during last four years, not all the problems of citizens have been resolved and still a lot of work has to be done.

While developing the city, we never considered affiliation of locals to any particular group or party and besides main city areas, katchi abadies, rural areas and islands were also given equal importance in the journey of development.

He also cited the upgradation of Leprosy Hospital in Manghopir to a modern general hospital with state of the art facilities.

PAF VCAS lauds City nazim for cleanliness

December 23, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Pakistan Air Force’s Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hifazat Ullah Khan has complimented City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal for his outstanding efforts to control the free movement of birds around the PAF airfields in the city especially during the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.

In a compliment letter to City Nazim, he has said that the PAF in her role as the sentinel of the nation against the external and internal challenges, strives continuously to preserve its combating potential and the effective measures that the city nazim had instituted in support of safe operations of the PAF have contributed immensely in fulfillment of this objective.

He expressed hope that the proactive approach of the city nazim supporting the PAF to fight the problem of birds around its airfields in the city would continue.

This may be noted that City District Government Karachi has improved sanitation condition in the city and lifted and transferred heaps of garbage and domestic waste to landfill sites.

The burial of offal kept the city clean during Eid days and protected the airplanes from being destroyed due to birds around the airfields and airport.

President Asif Ali Zardari to inaugurate Benazir Park next month, says city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal

December 23, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City District Government Karachi (CDGK) had to indulge in a battle with the land mafia and other agencies to save the precious part of land reserved for landmark Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park. Some influential people wanted to grab this land for erecting a commercial complex or housing scheme on this land.

The Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park is nearing its completion and President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari would inaugurate the Park next month. CDGK has executed all works from construction to completion while the federal government had provided necessary funds in this regard.

City Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal stated on the occasion of Park’s inspection for overseeing the ongoing development works alongwith District Coordination Officer Karachi Muhammad Javed Hanif Khan.

CDGK Director General Parks and Horticulture Department Liaquat Ali Khan on that occasion briefed city nazim on the Park.

He said that the park was 3-km length and spread over 152-acres. Provision of various facilities such as food courts and wooden walking and jogging tracks have been ensured in the park alongwith more than 35 exercise machines and number of swings.

He also informed that a bridge was also constructed in order to link two sides of the park while plantation of lucrative and decorative trees and seasonal flowers would add to the scenic beauty of the Park.

CDGK spending Rs 25 million on Tyre Killers to prevent wrong entry







December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Installation of steel spikes at U-turns on city main roads and Signal Free Corridors (SFC) has added to financial deficit of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK).

The installation of steel spikes, which is given a common name of ‘Tyre Killers’, has become unavoidable so as to prevent traffic jamming and to control increasing road trauma and accidents.

A well-placed officer in CDGK Transport and Communication Department T&CD has told Daily Times that despite the fact that the CDGK has invested billions of rupees on infrastructure, roads and pavements, SFCs city, citizens have yet to manifest maturity towards use of public facilities.

Unfortunately, it has been presumed that standing in line or crossing road using pedestrian bridge would put an affront.

However, by the time, the situation would change especially the new generation’s change as regards to owning the city was a positive sign.

It is very inspiring that the citizens have played their role for protecting the bus shades so it is expected that the motorists would also make a show of responsibility.

CDGK T&CD Executive District Officer Shabih Ul Hasnain said that the motorists have been in a hurry to reach their place while they pose threat to lives of their own and others especially at U-turns.

The increased number of road trauma and accident has panicked the situation so it was necessary that steel spikes should be installed on around 100 U-turns in the city.

Hasnain further said that it was a cumbersome situation for the CDGK amid serious financial deficit that CDGK has to spend Rs 250,000 on each U-turn installation.

Presently, steel spikes have been installed on four U-turns while further 16 would be shortly covered. Completing installation of steel spikes on all 100 roads would cost CDGK Rs 25 million, which is quite hectic as regards to ongoing financial situation.

Hasnain said that these measures could be avoided and money saved with the cooperation of the motorists but realizing the hurriedness on behalf of the motorists, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal had decided to proceed for the installation of steel hikes because he had said that lives of pedestrians could not be compromised over a few million rupees cost. Henceforth, the installation work was immediately initiated.

Hasnain added that CDGK T&CD has as yet completed installation of Tyre Killers at U-turns at University Road near Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Office and Chandni Chowk, at Nipa Chowrangi, Gulshan Chowrangi, and Federal B. Area near Power House, Shara-e-Shah Waliullha and at various points of 5000 Road in North Karachi.

State of the art digital visual security system worth Rs 2 billion for city in the offing

"The digital visual facility would add to the Police’s efficiency and in case of any suspicious activity, Police would be in a better position to react within the shortest possible time -DIG Ghulam Nabi Memon"


December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: In view of enhanced risk of terrorist activities in city, special measures at the provincial level have been initiated.

These measures would at one hand; this would improve Police’s efficiency while at the other hand peace in the city would be strengthened. Capital City police DIG South Ghulam Nabi Memon said on the occasion of overseeing security measures adopted at the M A Jinnah Road and around and inside the Nishtar Park alongwith Member National Assembly Abdul Rasheed Godial, Nazim Jamshed Town Javed Ahmed and other high officials.

Nazim Jamshed town Javed Ahmed had briefed Capital City police DIG South Ghulam Nabi Memon. Member National Assembly Rasheed Godial, Nazim Union Council 12 Asghar Ali Mama accompanied him.

DIG South Ghulam Nabi Memon said that the efficacy of the Command and Control System installed at the Nishtar Park so as to remain vigilant for any untoward situation on the occasion of Muharram rituals.

Memon said that under present circumstances, CCP was making use of CCS installed by the Jamshed TMA, which is an augmentation of City District Government Karachi’s CCS.

Memon further said that the digital visual facility would add to the Police’s efficiency and in case of any suspicious activity, Police would be in a better position to react within the shortest possible time.

However, the need of such facility has merged as most wanted. Henceforth, Sindh government has already financed to procure a state of the art digital visual vigilance system worth Rs 2 billion. The said system would be completely installed before end of 2010, claimed Memon.

While talking to Daily Times, Ahmed said that the entire Jamshed TMA was a sensitive area due to countless political and religious activities especially on M A Jinnah Road and inside the premise of the historical Nishtar Park, which also remains as the main venue for the largest religious congregation of Shia Muslim during Muharram days.

Owing to its sensitivity, it was unavoidable to ensure flawless and foolproof security arrangements here. Under this theme, a separate command and control system has been established inside the Nishtar Park. The Jamshed TMA has completed renovation of the Nishtar Park for Rs 150 million.

Besides renovation of the Nishtar Park, the Jamshed TMA has borne hefty cost against security arrangements while 25 close circuit cameras worth Rs 2.5 million have been installed, which would assist the law enforcement agencies in their timely execution of responsibilities. Every street opening into M A Jinnah road and the Nishtar Park and religious buildings have been covered with the CC cameras.

Apart from these security arrangements, the Jamshed TMA has provided 10 Walk-in-Through Gates, which would be controlled by the law enforcement agencies. Thus it the possibility of carrying any illegal or banned destructive material inside the Nishtar Park has been eliminated.

Meanwhile, a water filter plant was inaugurated on Sunday.

Nazim Jamshed Town Javed Ahmed said that the water filter plant was one of 240 others, which the previous government has installed in all UCs but this was pending due to reason that the contractor had claimed that the previous government had not paid for 239 water filter plants. Henceforth, the Jamshed Town Municipal Administration (TMA) completed the water filter plant with Rs 1.6 million.

Ahmed said that the water filter plant would give 4,500 gallons of filtered water per day.

KATI demands government to allow Syed Mustafa Kamal to continue as City Nazim



“There is a need of change of war strategy because with simple use of bombs and missiles and drone attacks, no army could claim any success in war. Provision of essential facilities and good governance is the key to win the war – Syed Mustafa Kamal”


December 19, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Patron In-Chief S M Muneer has said that the business community of the city would demand government to allow City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal to continue as City Nazim of Karachi until the next local bodies elections were held. He was addressing a formal gathering of businessmen on the occasion of a dinner hosted in the honour of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on Friday at a local hotel.

Muneer expressed his concern on rampant corruption in public organizations and pointed out that losses in Steel Mills have gone up to Rs 22 billions in just one year. The loss swells upto Rs 5 billion in couples of months in an organization, which was earning profit worth Rs16 billion only a year ago.

He also demanded Supreme Court should take notice of unjustified increase in gas and electricity tariffs and should nullify the rate increased announced by the government on IMF and World Bank’s pressure.

“If apex court intervenes in sugar prices it should also take notice of ever-increasing prices of utilities”, commented Muneer.

Earlier, Hashim Razzak Paracha in his welcome address said that the city needs more infrastructure reforms and for this purpose all factions of the society should join hands with city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal.

He said that work speaks louder than words and Kamal’s work is evident that how much progress has been done in Karachi.

While addressing the audience, Kamal said that city of Karachi has served to be the frontline as regards to revenue generation for the country as it extends upto 70 percent of entire national revenue. City’s development has ensured economic stability and has added to the prosperity across the country.

Kamal also pointed out that the city was the main gateway to the newly freed estates to the North while the supplies to the allied forces engaged in combating the extremist that have posed threats to global peace were securely managed from this city. Thus the city’s strategic role could not be ignored and any step to curtail its development would prove fatal for the country as well as the entire world.

It would be absolutely impossible for the international forces fighting against the extremist whether in Afghanistan to eliminate the roots of terrorism to maintain peace and harmony unless the citizens were not provided with opportunities for a better tomorrow, which could only be possible through good governance and provision of better essential facilities. The key to win peoples’ hearts is in providing them what they need for a better and respectable livelihood, claimed Kamal.

There is a need of change of war strategy because with simple use of bombs and missiles and drone attacks, no army could claim any success in war, warned Kamal.

NWFP and Balochistan are burning because of terrorism and Punjab too is not stable due to terrorism and only Sindh especially Karachi is politically stable and that has been possible due to Muttahidda Qaumi Movement’s strategy of good governance, claimed Kamal.

“We have given good governance to the people of Karachi, which is heart of country’s commercial and industrial activities and tried our best to maintain law and order due to which economy is prospering”, Kamal said.

Kamal said that his performance was obvious to everyone. We provided water supply to even those areas, which did not have access to the drinking water even before partition.

This is the good governance, which has maintained peace and tranquility in citizens’ lines and has helped prevent producing suicide bombers.

Kamal lauded the business community for separating the genuine from non-genuine instead of praising everyone in power.

KATI’s Sub Committee Chairman on Civic Issues, Shaikh Afzal Husain also spoke on the occasion.

CDGK financial deficit peals at Rs 2.5 billion, needs Rs 210 million to pay current month salaries

December 19, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has come under worst financial crunch worth Rs 1.5 billion owing to short releases of certain pecuniary amounts such as the Single Line transfer Funds (SLTF) and Octroi and Zilla Tax (OZT) from provincial Sindh government. Sources in CDGK Finance and Recovery Department (FRD) said.

According to sources, CDGK FRD has been struggling to gather necessary funds so as to disburse CDGK employees’ salaries and perks on time. Presently, the FRD needs Rs 210 million to diligently meet the target.

The financial deficit has reached Rs 2.5 billion, which got worsened after Sindh government had imposed ban on lease.

The decision had prevented CDGK to earn hefty revenue through auctioning of certain established projects such as Saddar Car Parking Plaza, which has cost CDGK Rs around 860 million and collectively the fee of CDGK contractors worth Rs 1 billion has also been delayed due to lack of funds at hand.

The retrenchments as regards to decreased release of funds in terms of OZT have caused CDGK suffer a colossal loss of Rs 1.5 billion. Conversely, CDGK had no alternate resources for generation of revenue except earning money from lease works.

The SLTF and OZT pecuniary releases were linked to National Finance Commission for three years. However, induction of more than 20, 000 citizens as employees also gave a bump in CDGK’s existing funds.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal had recently claimed that the CDGK had an acute shortfall of Rs 350 million due to which CDGK employees could not receive Eid salaries in advance and Bonus was also pending with the CDGK.

City Nazim had also regretted paucity of funds that prevented cash awards worth Rs 5,000 to low-cadre employees of pay scale 1 to 5 for lifting, dumping and burying the sacrificial animals’ offal on three consecutive days of Eid Ul Adha this year.

According to CDGK FRD sources, the devolved portion of CDGK consisted of two major components including the defunct KMC and the defunct KDA.

The defunct KMC portion’s Salaries were Rs 320 million in past but after 20 percent increases in pay and pension of the employees and induction of 20,000 employees has increased the liability to Rs 400 million.

The salaries of the defunct KDA employees have also jumped from Rs 90 million to Rs 110 million.

Twenty percent increases in pay has resulted in increased liability of Rs 60.4 million for the defunct KMC portion while Rs 90 million liability has also been added in terms of pension for both the defunct KMC and the defunct KDA portions.

It is pertinent to mention that disbursement of CDGK employees’ salaries has been almost one month late.

Maldives HC calls on Nasreen Jalil

December 18, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: The High Commissioner of Republic of Maldives stationed in Islamabad Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam called on City Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil at city Naib Nazim’s secretariat on Friday. They discussed issues of collateral interests.

On the occasion, Jalil said that Karachi was the largest city of Muslim world and the citizens of the city were entirely peaceful.

She added that the elected representatives of the city have been striving with their best to resolve people’s grievances while peace and harmony has been ensured through close interaction among different cultural entities.

Jalil said that despite widespread threats of terrorism across the country, Muttahidda Qaumi Movement has challenged the Talibanisation threats in the best interest of the country.

She said that the citizens of the city have realized the devastating consequences of the Talibanisation so they have fully supported it.

The High Commissioner said on the occasion that although she has been first time in the city but she has felt the city was peaceful and MQM’s liberal philosophy has caused people of different origins and cultures to come closer to each other.

The High Commissioner also lauded City District Government Karachi for its immense contribution on the plane of development.

DHA administrator Brig. Tirmizi says dropped frequency by KESC caused tripping of DHA Cogen Power and Desalination Plant

December 18
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: The DHA administrator Brig. Khalid Tirmizi has said that the delegation was informed that the stalled DHA Cogen Power and Desalination Plant, which was put back into operation after hectic efforts of nine months in Oct 2009 got tripped this month due to a surge causing unprecedented frequency drop in the KESC’s Grid System.

He was talking to a representative delegation of Association of Defence Residents (ADR). ADR vice Chairman Attique Ur Rehman alongwith the delegation had called on administrator at DHA’s Main Office on Friday.

The delegation later held a meeting with DHA and CBC Officials to discuss various civic problems of the residents.

Brig. Tirmizi further said that the problem has accentuated since the desalination technology, first of its kind in the country, is very sensitive to unstable power supply conditions.

Six German engineers and 25 technicians of Siemens (Pakistan) are currently working day and night to put the plant back into operation. The Desalination Plant is expected to become operational by 15 Jan’ 2010.

He said that City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has also been approached and requested to help DHA in getting enhanced quantity of bulk water supply from Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, which presently was much less than the actual requirement and consumption of water in DHA and CBC areas.

DHA was exploring all avenues to resolve the pressing problem of water scarcity in the areas concerned. Henceforth, 6 firms have been prequalified to study exploration of alternative source of water supply and the technical proposals submitted by them were under evaluation, he added.

The delegation requested the DHA/CBC officials to install spikes on the congested market lanes, of different phases of Defence Areas.

The delegation said that the spikes already installed at Dalton Market have ensured easy traffic flow.

ADR General Secretary Asad Kizalbash lauded DHA, CBC for the special arrangement of cleanliness and removal of offal’s made on the eve of Eid-ul-Adha.

Meanwhile, DHA Educational Institutions interschool and intercollege sports week concluded here on cycle and marathon races conducted at Defence Authority Public School (O and A Levels).

Cricketer Moin Khan was the chief guest of the event. DHA Education Director Brig (retd) Iftikhar Arshad Khan was also present on the occasion.

In the cycle Sheryar Sabir and Zahid Hussain of Defence Authority High School Ph-VIII clinched the race with first two positions respectively.

The winner of the Marathon was Owais Afzal of DHA Degree College while Munib Mir of DHA Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed College secured the second position.

DHA Degree College had won the trophy while DHA Public School O and A Levels remained runners up.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal issues directives for cleaning work at 29 corridors

December 15, 2009
BY Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has directed Municipal Services Department to make the sanitation system more coordinated and efficient at all 29 corridors of the city. He also instructed to form special teams for cleaning work at bridges, flyovers and underpasses.

During an inspection of CDGK Machinery Pool located near the Mewashah Graveyard he said that the allocation of machinery and manpower on these corridors would also provide help to concerned town administration in its usual cleaning work and they would be able to concentrate more on inner areas falling in their jurisdiction.

He also directed EDO Municipal Services to devise a well-coordinated program to bring further improvement in the sanitation condition on 29 major corridors of city government so that the vehicles and manpower of city government could be deployed at these corridors.

City Nazim also instructed concerned officials to ensure proper and immediate repairing and maintenance of vehicles and solid waste machinery stationed at CDGK machinery pool. He said that regular service of vehicles and machinery would keep this asset in good running condition.

He said that the municipal services department was established in city government to improve sanitation condition in every nook and corner of the city. The department has been provided with necessary machinery worth millions of rupees which is used in cleaning and de-silting work on all major drains, lifting and transfer of heaps of garbage and domestic waste and to keep the city clean during Eid-ul Adha.

Nazim Karachi said that besides paying attention to development projects and improvisation of infrastructure, Haq Parast City Government has also taken key steps to improve sanitation condition and make the city green and beautiful.

DCO finalizes strategy for alternate routes with stakeholders

Construction of SFC-IV in the offing:

December 16, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: District Coordination Officer (DCO) Karachi Muhammad Javed Hanif Khan has said that the construction work of the Signal free Corridor (SFC)-IV was in the offing so the arrangements for moving the traffic flow to alternate routes should be immediately identified so as to avoid any bad connivance on the key avenue of the city, Shahra-e Faisal.

The DCO has reviewed these measures during an exigent meeting that he had convened on Wednesdays following a detailed visit of the Shahra-e Faisal for overseeing the pons and crons of construction of SFC-IV prior to initiation of commencement of construction work.

The stakeholders and city’s administrative agencies that attended the meeting included National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), Karachi Cantonment Board (KCB), Capital City Traffic Police (CCTP), Karachi Water and sewerage Board (KWSB) Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), Pakistan Telecommunication Company (Pvt) Ltd (PTCL) Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Five corps.

These have assured the DCO of their best cooperation so as to facilitate the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) for fast track construction of the SFC-IV.

The DCO urged the CCTP to diligently finalize alternate routes for converting the heavy tidal flow of Traffic at certain points of the Shahra-e Faisal so that unwanted gridlocks and inconvenience to citizens should be prevented.

The meeting has decided that traffic signals located at Tipu Sultan Road and City School would be closed so that the traffic flow on these venues should be uninterrupted because these would serve as key alternate arteries for the purpose.

The DCO was told that the utility service providers such as KESC, PTCL and others would ensure shifting of underlying cables if needed so that the SFC-IV project would not come under any undue hurdle.

The meeting also decided that certain roads meant for the alternate routes could be expanded for better flow of vehicular traffic and condition of certain roads would be improved through necessary carpeting.

The DCO was informed that Rafiqui Shaheed Road and Iqbal Shaheed Road would be expanded immediately while the meeting also reviewed possibility of widening the road at PAF Base at Shahra-e Faisal upto Hotel Mehran, which would be finalized in a meeting with the KCB shortly.

Five Corps Commander Karachi, DIG CCTP Gulzar Kiyani, Senior Superintendents of Police, CDGK Executive Works and services, KESC, PTCL, KWSB, SSGC and NTC attended.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

President Zardari addresses PPP members of Sindh Cabinet

December 24, 2009

By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari today met members of the Sindh cabinet belonging to the PPP in Bilawal House in Karachi. The provincial chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah also attended the meeting.

Addressing the Sindh cabinet members the President advised them to step up the work they were doing for addressing the issues of the people and ameliorating the lot of poor and downtrodden. Recalling the last command of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to the Party on October 16, 2007, which said, “I wish all of you success in fulfilling the manifesto of our Party and in serving the downtrodden, discriminated and oppressed people of Pakistan”, the President asked them to redouble their efforts in serving the masses.

The President said that he was inspired and motivated by Shaheed Mohtarma’s last formal words to the Party that commanded every one to, “Dedicate yourselves to freeing them from poverty and backwardness as you have done in the past”.

President Zardari said that the PPP government could rightly feel proud of its achievements in a number of areas in the light of this command of Shaheed Mohtarma. These achievements, he said, included the NFC Award in nineteen years that addressed the concerns of smaller provinces, the Aghazi Huqooqi Balochistan program, the retreat of militants in Swat and Malakand, the launch of the poverty alleviation program under the name of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), the international strategic support from the platform of “Friends of Democratic Pakistan”, the reinstatement of sacked employees, the grant of 12 percent shares to workers in state run enterprises, the social and political reforms in Gilgit- Baltistan, the tackling of the energy crisis head on and extricating the country from a near economic meltdown situation.

He said that the government plans to build 32 dams throughout the country. Twelve of these proposed dams will be built in just three years in all the provinces. Out of the twelve dams three will be built in Sindh, he said.

He said that during his last visit China agreed to provide, after the award of contracts, 700 million dollars to finance building these dams. He said that two contracts had already been awarded through international competitive bidding and he will be performing the groundbreaking ceremony during his current visit. It is yet another great achievement of the democratic government, he said.

The dam projects will have special features. The state owned agricultural land in the command areas of the dams would be distributed free among the poor women of the area, the President said.

The free distribution of agricultural land among women is just one measure designed to empower the women as envisioned by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

He said that the Aghazi Huqooqi Balochistan was a far-reaching initiative. The Federal Government announced withdrawal of army from Sui to be replaced by the Frontier Corps (FC). No new cantonments will be made except in Frontier areas where required. The political exiles returning to Pakistan will be facilitated. All new mega projects will be initiated only with the consent and approval of the provincial government. The federal government will pay arrears of gas development surcharge (GDS) from 1954 to 1991 amounting to Rs. 120 billion in 12 years. The federal government will provide five thousand new jobs in Balochistan for which age limit had also been relaxed.

These measures demonstrated the direction in which the government is moving. This is the compass to take us to the destination, the President said.

He said that Pakistan Peoples Party is the largest political party in Pakistan that is why it always acts and reacts in a responsible and democratic manner and follows the vision and mission of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto with full commitment.

He said PPP was a federation’s and would always strengthen the federation. The President was also briefed on the progress of some of the ongoing developmental projects in the province.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

CSOAP and CDA disapprove strike decision on Dec 20

December 18, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: CNG Station Owners Association (CSOAP) and CNG Dealers Association (CDA) have announced disassociation from the strike call given by a CNG association for Dec 20.

In a statement issued on Friday, CSOAP chairman Malik Khuda Bakhsh and CDA president Abdus Sami Khan has said that the call for strike call was not in the interest of CNG station owners and dealers and it would serve the government's interest of resorting to load shedding.

They said that both the associations were opposing gas load shedding for CNG stations and also increase in the prices of natural gas.

As a result of hectic efforts, CNG stations in Sindh and Balochistan were exempted from gas load shedding and the government was convinced to extend gas load shedding period from Nov 15 to Dec 12, they added.

Bakhsh and Khan have jointly clarified that CSOAP and CDA were registered in 2001 and 1992 respectively and they have been invited and consulted by Ministry of Petroleum and HDIP for every meeting.

They urged government not to raise gas prices because ‘CNG Policy-1992’ envisages a price difference of 50 percent to ensure consumers should get a cheaper fuel.

The said policy has attracted an investment of Rs 160 billion in CNG sector, they noted.

They pointed out that in Feb 2007, government had changed CNG tariff from industrial category to above commercial category, which was exorbitant and against the policy.

They rejected the statement of Finance Minister in which he supported the idea to take CNG rates closer to petrol and promote the use of petrol among motorists, adding that it was government’s liability to provide cheaper and environment friendly fuel to consumers.

They were of the view that some elements in government ranks were bent upon destroying CNG industry, which would not only hurt 3 million users but also affect the environment.

Hamdard Naunehal Assembly pays great homage to Quaid-e Azam M A Jinnah

December 18, 2009

By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Speakers at the meeting of Hamdard Naunehal Assembly Karachi chapter while paying great homage to Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah emphasized on the need of strong character building of Pakistani people, because looting and plundering of national wealth is a result of deteriorating national character.

The meeting was held on Thursday December 17, 2009 on the theme: “We are a living and ever lasting nation” on the occasion of Quaid-i-Azam’s birthday to pay homage to the greatest leader and founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah at a local hotel.

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest and President, The Jinnah Society, Liaquat H. Merchant said that even after 62 years Pakistan failed to achieve the required political and economic independence for which Mohammed Ali Jinnah had created this country. It was shameful that our rulers were requesting to every foreign nation for economic aid having begging bowl in their hands, he said adding: “unless we achieve self reliance and economic independence we shall not be able to live as living and ever lasting nation”.

Quaid-i-Azam had struggled for a separate homeland where Muslims would be able to live in accordance with their social customs and religious traditions and to achieve political and economic independence, because in united India they were under the political and economic domination of Hindus, he said, adding that before the creation of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam in 1945 in his speech had clearly stated: “Muslims of subcontinent, by every definition of a nationality, is a complete nation, because they are different from Hindus by religion, culture, customs, traditions and life style”.

Commending the speeches made by the child speaker at the function, he especially referred to the firry speeches of leader of the opposition of Naunehal Assembly, Kahkashah Anjum and Aquib Hanif, student of Sindh Madaras-tul-Islam where Quaid-i-Azam was also studied.

Prof. Shariful Mujahid said that Quaid-i-Azam advised to students to pay full attention to their studies so that they could be able to perform the great task of nation building. “Today students need more to act on this advice” he added.

Quaid was sent to England to study business management by his father, but he chose to study law, because he had his own opinion. When Ms. Fatima Jinnah chose and decided to become dental surgeon, the Quaid encouraged her, because he wanted that youth should make their own decision and make their character strong. In the light of Quaid’s advice the youth should create ability of making decision by own selves and make their character strong because there was no alternative of character, Prof. Mujahid added.

Paying tribute to Hakim Said, he said that he made a great seat of learning --- Madinat al-Hikmah where emphasis was given on character building.

“Our rulers perform Umrah along with two hundred companions while such worship is not answered unless you make yourself some financial sacrifice”, he said, adding: “it is the result of our extravagancies that no foreign nation is now ready to give us liquid cash”.

Mrs. Sadia Rashid, President, Hamdard Foundation Pakistan said that Quaid-i-Azam had given us a largest Muslim state by his firm determination and untiring struggle through constitutional and democratic means, on the auspicious day of 27th of Ramadan.

“Now our country is passing through a very difficult phase of its history which has rendered our country into acute danger of its survival. Present Pakistan is not that country which Quaid-i-Azam had dreamed of”, she said adding that country was facing acute shortage of electricity, water, health and educational facilities, bereft of national unity and sincere leadership and a victim of rampant terrorism.

She said we must not be disappointed over this awful situation as we could overcome these difficulties by acting according to the advices and ideas of Quaid-i-Azam.

She advised to the youth that they should feel their responsibilities and work for the betterment of their homeland as the youth at the time of Pakistan worked for the creation of Pakistan. May Allah keep Pakistan safe and secure forever, she prayed.

Child speakers Khizer Khan, Kahkashah Anjum, Mehwish Imran, Saima Baloch, Maryam Raof, Auqiub Hanif, Mehwish Khan and Ramsha Sabir also spoke. Ms. Khushboo compeered the function. Besides Begum Liaquat Merchant, teachers, parents and students in a large number attended the function.

Indus Institute Holds 2nd Convocation

December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Convocation of Indus Institute of Higher Education held Bahria Auditorium, Karachi, which was presided over by Nisar Ahmed Khohro Speaker Sindh Assembly.

Abdul Rauf Siddiqui Minister for Commerce & Industries Sindh, Raza Haroon IT Minister Sindh, SM Muneer, Mian Zahid Hussain, Mansha Churra, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig Advisor to PM on Textile attend the convocation as Guests of Honor.

Mr. Khalid Amin, Chairman and Chancellor of Indus Institute of Higher Education in his welcome address thanked the Chief Guest, Guest of honors, diplomats, guests from industries, education sector, Government, parents for their presence in convocation.

He also appreciated and congratulated to the position holders; passing out students and their parents on completion of graduation.

Khalid Amin announced the opening of SITE campus for the people Orangi Town, Baldia, Shersha, Hawksbay and announced 100% scholarship for first 500 female students.

He requested the Governor Sindh for visit of site campus for its opening in the month of Jan 2010 and Feb 2010 for the encouragement of the people of these areas.

Khalid Amin also announced education at Indus Institute of Higher Education on 100% scholarships to the children of the shuhda of Arm Forces, Rangers and Police.

Raouf Siddiqui Industries Minister and Nisar Khoro speaker Sindh Assembly, also addressed the audience.

They congratulated the chairman, management, faculty, students and their parents for holding such a successful convocation.

They assured Govt support for the promotion of Higher Education.

In this convocation 35 Gold Medals and 35 Silver Medals were announced for first and second position holder students besides degrees to 250 graduating students of BBA, BBA (Textile), MBA, MBA (Textile), BBA Textile Designing and BBA Fashion Designing , B.Tech (hon.), M.Tech., B.Ed. and M.Ed.

KW&SB officials patron of illegal hydrants, says KWTOWA

December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Despite stern measures and imposition of section 144 of Cr PC by the City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has failed to curb operations of illegal water hydrants in city.

KWSB officials have been blaming law enforcement agencies for not providing security during disconnection campaign.

These officials have tie and again said that the Police of area concerned were involved in the menace for money.

On the other hand, Hydrant Owners have alleged KWSB officials were behind the menace.

As well, KWSB Chief Engineer Bulk Najmi Alam had recently told Daily Times that a high profile religious scholar was also involved in illegal hydrant business and has been operating an illegal hydrant in SITE town’s limits.

Alam had also said that during disconnection move of the illegal hydrant, supporters of that scholar had created law and order situation while Police of the area concerned had lagged to take any action. Henceforth, the disconnection could not complete.

There are around 200 illegal hydrants that are operating in the city while ancient conduit has also been damaged for digging out a connection.

It has also been alleged that KWSB officials were involved in selling water quota for the residents of certain residential colonies especially Malir Town to industries for hefty bribe. In this regard, a member of City Council Afsar Khan had pointed out this on various occasions.

There are certain popular hydrants, areas and owners or operators with majority of illegal hydrants such as Raees Mianwali hydrant, Future Colony and alongside the Liyari River, hydrants in Chakra Goth, Zia Colony and Sharifabad, Manghopir, Ayub Goth at Super Highway, Malir Town, Landhi Town and Gadap Town. M Jan Afridi, M Mushtaque and Mashallah, a police officer named Khanzada and others including Iqbal Soomro and Niazi run illegal hydrants in Korangi Town.

Karachi Water Tankers Owners Welfare Association’s (KWTOWA) General Secretary Hazoor Bux told Daily Times that the Chief Engineer Najmi Alam, Executive Engineer of area concerned and other KWSB officials were behind illegal hydrants for hefty money.

Bux claimed that Najmi Alam had received Rs 200,000 to 400,000 for awarding permission for illegal hydrant. As well, each water tanker owner pays Rs 400 to these hydrant operators for water filling for 2,000 gallons, he alleged.

Bux further claimed that the Town Municipal Administrations concerned have been extorting Rs 100,000 from each of illegal water hydrants monthly falling in their limits. Recently, the TMAs have raised monthly fee up to Rs 200,000 per hydrant.

Bux said that six month ago, he on behalf of KWTOWA had written an appeal to KWSB Managing Director Qutbuddin Sheikh for ban of illegal hydrants and curbing KWSB officials’ involvement but to no avail.

Bux also said that on Monday, Dec 21, he had called a well-placed officer in the CDGK and had given him a letter on the same issue so that necessary measures could be taken regarding control of illegal hydrants in the city.

Chhipa offers free ration to deserving citizens

December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Chhipa Welfare Trust has started distribution of necessary ration to citizens especially those in dire need but was compelled to conceal their needs due to self-esteem.

The distribution of ration is part of Chhipa Welfare trust's campaign 'Let us keep the stove burn'.
The packets of ration have been dispatched to residences of such people on Tuesday.

In this regard, Chhipa Welfare Trust had appealed to the philanthropists to come forward with necessary goods and donations so as to meet the requirements and help the needy people with respect.

The citizens and the philanthropists had offered their donations and provided with essential commodities for the cause.

Till date, around 1,115 deserving people have been delivered ration, cash and other goods during last three days.

In this regard, first shipment to certain addresses was made on Tuesday while Chhipa ambulances were used for the purpose. A large number of representatives of non-governmental organisation were present and lauded Chhipa Welfare Trust for carrying out such jobs for the cause of humanity.

Meanwhile, Chhipa Welfare trust's patron-in-chief Ramzan Chhipa said that under the campaign, those who had preferred to die instead of begging charity for livelihood were selected and thus were helped secretly.

He said that these people have reached a stage of despondency due to hard circumstances and illnesses that caused limb deformity thus preventing their physical movement for respectable means of bread and butter.

He appealed to the citizens and the philanthropists to help Chhipa Welfare Trust to take care of such people with their donations.

He said that those visiting Chhipa Welfare trust’s headquarters alongwith donations and other essential commodities should collect receipt so as to ensure transparency in dealings.

Azam Basti renamed as Azam Town

December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Jamshed Town Council has passed a resolution to rename Azam Basti as Azam Town. This was happened during 43rd session of the council while naib nazim union council No 3 Anwar Sardar had tabled the resolution on Tuesday.

After renaming Azam Basti, streets around sector A and B and the area across the sewage canal would be part of Azam Town.

The council also approved Rs 150 million for the development of the newly named Azam Town.

City Nazim inaugurates postgraduate bloc at Sir Syed College

December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has inaugurated a new postgraduate courses block in Sir Syed Government Girls College on Tuesday. City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has spent Rs 83.89 million.

Further, city nazim laid foundation stone for a 400-seat Auditorium Hall in the college, which would further cost CDGK Rs 10.21 million. Installation of centralized air-conditioning system and electric generators would be an additional feature of auditorium.

The international standard of the hall would be used for holding national and international events and conferences besides college functions. City nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal stated this while talking to media on the occasion.

District Coordination Officer Karachi Muhammad Javed Hanif Khan, Executive District Officer Works and Services Rasheed Mughal, Liaquatabad Town Nazim Hafiz Usama Qadri and other officers accompanied city nazim.

He said that CDGK has so far completed construction of 451 buildings including more than 20 model schools in education sector during last four years with a cost over Rs 9,300 million.

He said that if he had started inaugurating one by one, it would result inauguration of 50 projects per day.

He said that the construction of postgraduate block in Sir Syed College would provide an opportunity to students for higher and the postgraduate campus would be affiliated with Karachi University for Master degree courses in Computer Science, Commerce, Quran, Suunah and the Islamic Studies.

Bacha Khan Flyover:

Meanwhile, City Nazim has said that construction of Bacha Khan Flyover at Banaras Chowk would be completed in next four months with an estimated cost of Rs 1,400 million.

He said that the flyover at Banaras Chowk starting from Abdullah Government Girls College North Nazimabad to Metro Cinema in Orangi Town was named after Bacha Khan and it was very tedious to complete due to several impediments while it has cost lot of labour and money.

The pace of construction work would not be delayed or slowed down due to any excuse including paucity of necessary funds. All these projects were financed by public money and it would be a national loss if stopped.

The flyover would have completed much earlier but shifting of the underground water trunk line and other utilities beneath the flyover had caused unnecessary delay.

The shifting of water trunk has cost CDGK Rs 40 million. High-tension cables were other big hurdles, which would additionally cost CDGK Rs 45 million.

Bar B Q hotels, shops, marriage halls illegally occupy city’s 80 percent footpaths

December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Encroachment of public places such as footpaths, link roads and main roads has become a menace all over the city.

In this regard, City District Government Karachi (CDGK) land department and town municipal administrations (TMA) concerned have failed to fulfill their responsibilities regarding removal of such encroachments.

A well-placed officer in CDGK Land Revenue Department said that around 150 marriage halls and Bar B Q hotels, restaurants, burger stalls, and others have encroached more than 80 percent of city’s footpaths falling on either side and in the middle of roads.

He cited that Gulberg Town and North Nazimabad Town are two such areas in the city that have the highest number of such violations. In Gulberg Town, from Gulberg Chowrangi toward Samanabad, from Ayesha Manzil to Yaseenabad, from Ancholi to Gulberg Chowrangi, from Water Pump to entire rear side of Yousuf plaza, and many other sites have been fully encroached.

He said that the marriage halls in the city in general while in Gulberg town, North Nazimabad, Gulshan-e Iqbal Town in particular have been causing constant traffic gridlocks of which the earlier two towns have worst situation especially from Golden Gate near Matric board Office to Sakhi Hassan Chowrangi in North Nazimabad and from Mukka Chowk to Yaseenabad in Gulberg Town.

He said that the encroachment of footpaths was worst in North Nazimabad. All Bar B Q hotels, shops and restaurants at Five Star Chowrangi toward Ship Owners College and toward Landi Kotal have encroached each single footpath.

He said that the area in North Nazimabad from Five Star Chowrangi to Sakhi Hassan becomes blocked due to parking of hundreds of cars on both side of link roads and main roads.

He said that CDGK and other authorities have struggled for the recovery of illegally occupied land but this type of peculiar encroachment was rampant in the city and has been ignored.

He said that TMAs concerned were responsible for correcting these problems.
He said that as far as parking of cars and other vehicles on roads in front of marriage halls in the city, it was the duty of TMA concerned and DIG traffic to ensure the roads clear but unfortunately, the menace was ignored even by the high officials of the two authorities.

He said that the CDGK centralized land encroachment department could simply do such arrangements on a few main avenues of the city.

He said that it is entirely basic human rights violation that the restaurants have encroaches footpaths besides their premises and those lying in between two roads for petty fee. It is noteworthy that these footpaths could not be rented out at any cost because it was citizens right to have footpaths to walk on.

He said that it was a complete misery that the high officials traveling on these roads have been ignoring citizens’ basic rights so in this situation citizens were in helpless condition.
He said that in Jamshed Town, New M A Jinnah Road has no footpath for the pedestrians as countless car showroom owners have occupied them.

He said that a popular Bar B Q hotel located near Allah Walla Chowrangi near Tariq Road in Jamshed Town has occupied link road which the owner of the hotel has closed permanently and has converted the link road into hotel premise.

DHA GB reviews progress on current development

December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: The annual meeting of DHA Governing Body (GB) was held under arrangements Defence Housing Authority on Sunday to review the development projects and other policy matters of DHA at macro level.

Defence Secretary, Lt. Gen Syed Athar Ali (retd), who is also Chairman Governing Body DHA presided the meeting.

The GB approved DHA’s annual budget for the fiscal year 2009-2010. A record amount of Rs 7.73 billion has been earmarked in the budget for various development projects this year.

DHA administrator Brig. Khalid Tirmizi presented the progress report and reiterated that the Housing Authority was poised to move forward with a vision and a well-defined strategy to ensure that DHA remains a versatile organization ready to perform.

The Chairman urged DHA to approach the mega and special projects with positive approach and to move forward on a fast track basis to maintain the credibility of the organization.

He directed DHA to complete the work of Gizri Flyover including installation of sound barriers and road lights on Gizri Bridge and refurbishment of surrounding roads around the flyover at the earliest.

The GB expressed satisfaction over the efficacy and working of newly laid drains in DHA, which speedily drained the rainwater during the last monsoon rains.

The GB was informed that the infrastructure development work in the upcoming DHA City on Super Highway would commence from Dec 2010 onwards after undertaking town planning on modern lines.

The meeting was also informed that land usage in the project has been kept in accordance with international standards and envisages approx 40 percent of area for residential purposes and the rest for roads, green spaces, utility services, recreational spots and commercial areas.

The GB was further informed that the stalled DHA Power and Desalination Plant, which was recently made operational with hectic efforts got tripped on a surge due to an unprecedented frequency drop of 7 HZ/Sec in KESC’s Grid System whereas the plant system was designed to sustain a frequency drop of maximum 1 Hz/Sec.

Currently German engineers and Siemens (Pakistan) technicians were working to repair the fault and it was expected that the desalination plant would start its operations by Jan 15, 2010.

The GB was informed that DHA has made computerization, which included computerized archiving and digitization of more than 118,000 plot files, initiation of an updated and revamped interactive DHA Website, setting up of paper free environment for all interoffice communications in DHA and initiation of e-payment for DHA City in future.

CDGK spending Rs 25 million on Tyre Killers to prevent wrong entry

December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Installation of steel spikes at U-turns on city main roads and Signal Free Corridors (SFC) has added to financial deficit of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK). The installation of steel spikes, which is given a common name of ‘Tyre Killers’, has become unavoidable so as to prevent traffic jamming and to control increasing road trauma and accidents.

A well-placed officer in CDGK Transport and Communication Department T&CD has told Daily Times that despite the fact that the CDGK has invested billions of rupees on infrastructure, roads and pavements, SFCs city, citizens have yet to manifest maturity towards use of public facilities.

Unfortunately, it has been presumed that standing in line or crossing road using pedestrian bridge would put an affront. However, by the time, the situation would change especially the new generation’s change as regards to owning the city was a positive sign.

It is very inspiring that the citizens have played their role for protecting the bus shades so it is expected that the motorists would also make a show of responsibility.

Talking to Daily Times, CDGK T&CD Executive District Officer Shabih Ul Hasnain said that the motorists have been in a hurry to reach their place while they pose threat to lives of their own and others especially at U-turns.

The increased number of road trauma and accident has panicked the situation so it was necessary that steel spikes should be installed on around 100 U-turns in the city.

Hasnain further said that it was a cumbersome situation for the CDGK amid serious financial deficit that CDGK has to spend Rs 250,000 on each U-turn installation.

Presently, steel spikes have been installed on four U-turns while further 16 would be shortly covered. Completing installation of steel spikes on all 100 roads would cost CDGK Rs 25 million, which is quite hectic as regards to ongoing financial situation.

Hasnain said that these measures could be avoided and money saved with the cooperation of the motorists but realizing the hurriedness on behalf of the motorists, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal had decided to proceed for the installation of steel hikes because he had said that lives of pedestrians could not be compromised over a few million rupees cost. Henceforth, the installation work was immediately initiated.

Hasnain added that CDGK T&CD has as yet completed installation of Tyre Killers at U-turns at University Road near Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Office and Chandni Chowk, at Nipa Chowrangi, Gulshan Chowrangi, and Federal B. Area near Power House, Shara-e-Shah Waliullha and at various points of 5000 Road in North Karachi.

State of the art digital visual security system worth Rs 2 billion for city in the offing

December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: In view of enhanced risk of terrorist activities in city, special measures at the provincial level have been initiated. These measures would at one hand; this would improve Police’s efficiency while at the other hand peace in the city would be strengthened.

Capital City police DIG South Ghulam Nabi Memon told Daily Times on the occasion of overseeing security measures adopted at the M A Jinnah Road and around and inside the Nishtar Park alongwith Member National Assembly Abdul Rasheed Godial, Nazim Jamshed Town Javed Ahmed and other high officials.

Nazim Jamshed town Javed Ahmed had briefed Capital City police DIG South Ghulam Nabi Memon. Member National Assembly Rasheed Godial, Nazim Union Council 12 Asghar Ali Mama accompanied him.

DIG South Ghulam Nabi Memon said that the efficacy of the Command and Control System installed at the Nishtar Park so as to remain vigilant for any untoward situation on the occasion of Muharram rituals.

Memon said that under present circumstances, CCP was making use of CCS installed by the Jamshed TMA, which is an augmentation of City District Government Karachi’s CCS.

Memon further said that the digital visual facility would add to the Police’s efficiency and in case of any suspicious activity, Police would be in a better position to react within the shortest possible time.

However, the need of such facility has merged as most wanted. Henceforth, Sindh government has already financed to procure a state of the art digital visual vigilance system worth Rs 2 billion. The said system would be completely installed before end of 2010, claimed Memon.

While talking to Daily Times, Ahmed said that the entire Jamshed TMA was a sensitive area due to countless political and religious activities especially on M A Jinnah Road and inside the premise of the historical Nishtar Park, which also remains as the main venue for the largest religious congregation of Shia Muslim during Muharram days.

Owing to its sensitivity, it was unavoidable to ensure flawless and foolproof security arrangements here. Under this theme, a separate command and control system has been established inside the Nishtar Park. The Jamshed TMA has completed renovation of the Nishtar Park for Rs 150 million.

Besides renovation of the Nishtar Park, the Jamshed TMA has borne hefty cost against security arrangements while 25 close circuit cameras worth Rs 2.5 million have been installed, which would assist the law enforcement agencies in their timely execution of responsibilities.

Every street opening into M A Jinnah road and the Nishtar Park and religious buildings have been covered with the CC cameras.

Apart from these security arrangements, the Jamshed TMA has provided 10 Walk-in-Through Gates, which would be controlled by the law enforcement agencies. Thus it the possibility of carrying any illegal or banned destructive material inside the Nishtar Park has been eliminated.

Meanwhile, a water filter plant was inaugurated on Sunday.

Nazim Jamshed Town Javed Ahmed said that the water filter plant was one of 240 others, which the previous government has installed in all UCs but this was pending due to reason that the contractor had claimed that the previous government had not paid for 239 water filter plants.

Henceforth, the Jamshed Town Municipal Administration (TMA) completed the water filter plant with Rs 1.6 million.

Ahmed said that the water filter plant would give 4,500 gallons of filtered water per day.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

KATI demands government to allow Syed Mustafa Kamal to continue as City Nazim

“There is a need of change of war strategy because with simple use of bombs and missiles and drone attacks, no army could claim any success in war. Provision of essential facilities and good governance is the key to win the war – Syed Mustafa Kamal”

December 19, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Patron In-Chief S M Muneer has said that the business community of the city would demand government to allow City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal to continue as City Nazim of Karachi until the next local bodies elections were held.

He was addressing a formal gathering of businessmen on the occasion of a dinner hosted in the honour of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on Friday at a local hotel.

Muneer expressed his concern on rampant corruption in public organizations and pointed out that losses in Steel Mills have gone up to Rs 22 billions in just one year. The loss swells upto Rs 5 billion in couples of months in an organization, which was earning profit worth Rs16 billion only a year ago.

He also demanded Supreme Court should take notice of unjustified increase in gas and electricity tariffs and should nullify the rate increased announced by the government on IMF and World Bank’s pressure.

“If apex court intervenes in sugar prices it should also take notice of ever-increasing prices of utilities”, commented Muneer.

Earlier, Hashim Razzak Paracha in his welcome address said that the city needs more infrastructure reforms and for this purpose all factions of the society should join hands with city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal.

He said that work speaks louder than words and Kamal’s work is evident that how much progress has been done in Karachi.

While addressing the audience, Kamal said that city of Karachi has served to be the frontline as regards to revenue generation for the country as it extends upto 70 percent of entire national revenue. City’s development has ensured economic stability and has added to the prosperity across the country.

Kamal also pointed out that the city was the main gateway to the newly freed estates to the North while the supplies to the allied forces engaged in combating the extremist that have posed threats to global peace were securely managed from this city. Thus the city’s strategic role could not be ignored and any step to curtail its development would prove fatal for the country as well as the entire world.

It would be absolutely impossible for the international forces fighting against the extremist whether in Afghanistan to eliminate the roots of terrorism to maintain peace and harmony unless the citizens were not provided with opportunities for a better tomorrow, which could only be possible through good governance and provision of better essential facilities.

The key to win peoples’ hearts is in providing them what they need for a better and respectable livelihood, claimed Kamal.

There is a need of change of war strategy because with simple use of bombs and missiles and drone attacks, no army could claim any success in war, warned Kamal.

NWFP and Balochistan are burning because of terrorism and Punjab too is not stable due to terrorism and only Sindh especially Karachi is politically stable and that has been possible due to Muttahidda Qaumi Movement’s strategy of good governance, claimed Kamal.

“We have given good governance to the people of Karachi, which is heart of country’s commercial and industrial activities and tried our best to maintain law and order due to which economy is prospering”, Kamal said.

Kamal said that his performance was obvious to everyone. We provided water supply to even those areas, which did not have access to the drinking water even before partition. This is the good governance, which has maintained peace and tranquility in citizens’ lines and has helped prevent producing suicide bombers.

Kamal lauded the business community for separating the genuine from non-genuine instead of praising everyone in power.

KATI’s Sub Committee Chairman on Civic Issues, Shaikh Afzal Husain also spoke on the occasion.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal reminds NDC delegation of city’s strategic importance in the region

December 19, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has presented a successful model of good governance in the country, which has been appreciated all over the world. CDGK has spent Rs 250 billion on city’s development during last four years, which has improved city’s strategic importance in the region.

We have developed the city due to its strategic importance in the region and also due to the fact that the city contributes 68 percent share in the national exchequer. From our first day in office, we set up our strategy as regard to development works.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal stated this while addressing a 77-member delegation of National Defence Course (NDC) at a local hotel on Saturday.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal in his address said that in order to ensure transparency in CDGK works, services of consultants were hired for pivotal projects and adopted a comprehensive system of accountability at each level besides the arrangement of annual audit.

CDK had arranged for major part of development funds worth Rs 250 billion through better use of its resources, recovery of long standing dues and through public private partnership policy, claimed Kamal.

The war on terror could not be won with sheer use of the hard forces alone but this could only be caused to happen with the implementation of good governance both in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Providing basic amenities of life to people such as clean drinking water, proper sewerage system, education and health facilities could ensure the victory, remarked Kamal.

Karachi holds importance also due to reason that it ensures 95 percent of NATO supplies. Drinking water for the NATO forces also goes from here and if this supply line was disconnected, the NATO forces’ operations against the terrorists would get tarnished due to various health disorders that might arise from use of contaminated potable water from battle field, reminded Kamal.

The National Security College Commandant Rear Admiral Khan Hasham representing the delegation thanked City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and District Coordination Officer Karachi Muhammad Javed Hanif Khan for arranging their visit.

He said that they have been much impressed by the rapid progress in the city, which has provided them with the opportunity to observe this unusual phenomenon closely.

The documentary “Karachi-The Kohinoor” depicting the four-year performance of CDGK was also screened on this occasion.

The 77-member delegation had consisted of senior army officers from Pakistan, France, Australia, Malaysia, Nigeria and other countries on a study tour to the city.

CDGK financial deficit peals at Rs 2.5 billion, needs Rs 210 million to pay current month salaries

December 19, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has come under worst financial crunch worth Rs 1.5 billion owing to short releases of certain pecuniary amounts such as the Single Line transfer Funds (SLTF) and Octroi and Zilla Tax (OZT) from provincial Sindh government. Sources in CDGK Finance and Recovery Department (FRD) said.

According to sources, CDGK FRD has been struggling to gather necessary funds so as to disburse CDGK employees’ salaries and perks on time. Presently, the FRD needs Rs 210 million to diligently meet the target.

The financial deficit has reached Rs 2.5 billion, which got worsened after Sindh government had imposed ban on lease.

The decision had prevented CDGK to earn hefty revenue through auctioning of certain established projects such as Saddar Car Parking Plaza, which has cost CDGK Rs around 860 million and collectively the fee of CDGK contractors worth Rs 1 billion has also been delayed due to lack of funds at hand.

The retrenchments as regards to decreased release of funds in terms of OZT have caused CDGK suffer a colossal loss of Rs 1.5 billion. Conversely, CDGK had no alternate resources for generation of revenue except earning money from lease works.

The SLTF and OZT pecuniary releases were linked to National Finance Commission for three years. However, induction of more than 20, 000 citizens as employees also gave a bump in CDGK’s existing funds.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal had recently claimed that the CDGK had an acute shortfall of Rs 350 million due to which CDGK employees could not receive Eid salaries in advance and Bonus was also pending with the CDGK.

City Nazim had also regretted paucity of funds that prevented cash awards worth Rs 5,000 to low-cadre employees of pay scale 1 to 5 for lifting, dumping and burying the sacrificial animals’ offal on three consecutive days of Eid Ul Adha this year.

According to CDGK FRD sources, the devolved portion of CDGK consisted of two major components including the defunct KMC and the defunct KDA.

The defunct KMC portion’s Salaries were Rs 320 million in past but after 20 percent increases in pay and pension of the employees and induction of 20,000 employees has increased the liability to Rs 400 million.

The salaries of the defunct KDA employees have also jumped from Rs 90 million to Rs 110 million.

Twenty percent increases in pay has resulted in increased liability of Rs 60.4 million for the defunct KMC portion while Rs 90 million liability has also been added in terms of pension for both the defunct KMC and the defunct KDA portions.

It is pertinent to mention that disbursement of CDGK employees’ salaries has been almost one month late.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Curbing terrorism possible by providing citizens with their basic facilities, says City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal


December 18, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: The ongoing renovation and construction work of parks and playgrounds should be completed on scheduled time. Any delay would result in waste of public money, which would not be tolerated. Those found involved in negligence would be dealt with stern disciplinary procedures.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal expressed these views on a visit to Suleman Yousuf Moulai Park and Ground in Jamshed Town on Thursday. CDGK Parks and Horticulture Department Director General Liaquat Ali Khan and District Officer Education Works-II Saeed Malik accompanied him.

Kamal said that the land mafia has illegally occupied hundreds of plots of land, amenity plots, playgrounds and even those lands that were reserved for bus terminal and thus the citizens have suffered colossal loss of deserving civic facilities.

Kamal said that it was imperative that no parks or playground in the city should be left at the mercy of the land mafia but these should be converted into recreational facilities for the citizens and the next generations.

Kamal said that the Haq Parast leadership has ensured establishment of more than 350 parks in the city during last four years and 16 sports grounds in the city have provided better sports facilities to the citizens.

Kamal added that the citizens of the city deserve best of all facilities for their contribution as regards to development and sustaining the facilities that the CDGK has established.

Kamal lauded the citizens have shown their high spirits as they have actively partaken the project, “I Own Karachi” which has no antecedent in the history of the country.

Kamal on the spot issued directives to the official concerned to carry out fast track completion of the development work of park, playground and cricket academies in union council 7 of Jamshed Town. He further ordered for the installation of floodlights on ground and park.

Kamal reiterated his resolve as he said that the Haq Parast had not entertained any hurdle in the way to city’s development, adding that, “We never allowed any break in the process of development so that the citizens could avail best possible facilities near to their homes”.

Kamal said that besides huge mega development works in the city, special attention was paid on establishment of parks and playgrounds and on creating such recreational activities so that the economic backbone of the country should keep the wheel of industry going and the people of the city could find more opportunities for livelihood.

Kamal vowed that this mechanism has paved ways for combating the terrorism in the city and should be applied at all corners for a better and logic answer to the menace.

The CDGK has so far established 19 cricket academies in the city, which in future would produce players of international rank. Even the Landhi Town, which was once called the suburb has cricket stadium where first class cricket matches have been held.

Kamal said that the Haq Parast leadership has been striving to serve the citizens in a better way so the citizens of the city should reinforce and own their own city.

MQM City Mayor Syed Mustafa Kamal offers concrete approach for winning the war on terror








December 18, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City Mayor Syed Mustafa Kamal has given a scientifically applicable and rational concept for fighting away the ugly anomalies that have caused the masses of a selective low social class of the society to act negatively, either on individual sphere or in association with organized gangs of militants across the world particularly in Pakistan.

Kamal has offered the best of all possible solution and above all without any financial assistance from any corner, whether from federal or provincial governments in Pakistan or the United States of America that has time and again pronounced huge pecuniary releases to the government of Pakistan since day one after nine-eleven.

But the results have never been achieved while on the other hand; the militants have grown stronger and have equipped them with latest tools of sabotaging the peace of the world by the time.

Although, there are thousands of academic institutions and hundreds of religious seminaries in Pakistan but the typical curriculae of both the types have never been in line with the emerging needs of the hour. The graduates are jobless and the Master degree holders are washing utensils in restaurants.

What Kamal offers to the nation in general and to the world community in particular is the answer to extremism and militancy. He has been quite pragmatic in his measures he has taken till date.

First when he dug all roads in the precincts of the City District Government Karachi, the Karachiites were stunned assuming that the young man would flee shortly when he would find him incapable of mending the mess.

It took a whole one year that the young City Mayor went on digging the roads but he proved by his strong determination that he had completed his homework prior to hitting the ground.

It is open to the naked eyes of every citizen of the city, of the country and of the entire world through the eyes of envoys and satellite that the young City Mayor has rejuvenated the every nook and cranny of the city like a calculated final stroke of the painter.

The United States of America has been leading the WOT while Pakistan has contributed to the much propagated roots of dens in the country as first category ally, shoulder to shoulder with the US administration.

On the other hand, the WOT has engulfed the country with both hands and the devastating result of a decade long fight has caused the Pakistani Forces to combat face to face with the militants on its own land. Kamal has challenged the ways of combating the war on terror (WOT) with ruthless use of weapons and spending dollars without a true line of direction that is needed for the orientation of the required result, the end of WOT.

In accordance with the pinpoint application of the intuition and guidance of his leader, Altaf Hussein, who has been raising his voice as a warning to the threats of extremism in city, Kamal has established the first state of the art technical institute, the Memon Industrial and Technical Institute (MITI) and surprisingly, the MITI is the right answer to the threats of extremism and militancy at a right time.

Kamal knowing that unless and until the issues related to poverty and unemployment were not addressed; it would be only a fool’s dream to eliminate the extremism and terrorism.

The poverty and issues related to it have given a bump in various crimes from tiny pilferages to gang wars but when these youth are converted into skilled manpower and are immediately accommodated in industries for reasonable emoluments with complete self respect, the root causes of the extremism and terrorism would automatically get eliminated.

Kamal’s concept behind the establishment of the MITI has worked because in order to eliminate the militancy it was unavoidable to create job opportunities for the deprived and the illiterate youth of the city because spending billions of dollars on seminars; awareness campaigns and workshops could not resolve these issues.

The risks are greater for the involvement of the illiterate youth in acts of terrorism for money, as it is now an open secret that the enemies of the country have been buying a suicide attacker for only Rs 1 million, had conceived the establishment of the MITI.

He was straight in his panning that by establishing the MITI; he could offer the world a newer concept to check the increases in militants’ strength.

On the other hand, Kamal has on the social aspect moved a step ahead on June 10 when he announced to take measures for the rehabilitation of thousands of drug addict in city and for that purpose, establishment of 18 dedicated rehabilitation centres, one in each towns has been initiated.

I remember he told me, “We would not only treat these adduct medically but these fellowmen would be helped become normal citizens once again with complete and intact self-esteem and technical education for livelihood”.