CNG Bus Terminus starts operation with fleet of 25 enroute-III

None other than Muttahidda Qaumi Movement had offered any role model of good governance and dedicated service to the humanity –

Syed Mustafa Kamal

December 29, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: A 4-acre terminus for a fleet of 25 CNG buses in the close vicinity of Northern Bypass, Gulshan-e Zia, Gadap Town has been made operational on Friday noon. The 4-acre CNG Bus Terminus has cost CDGK Rs 85 million with a capacity to house 100 CNG long buses. Presently, a fleet of locally assembled 25 dedicated CNG buses has been scheduled to station on-and-off at the venue.

The new fleet of 25 CNG buses worth Rs 140 million would ply on a newly defined route-III, which encompasses around a dozen of major location enroute and would be for Shahra-e Qaddafi, Shahra-e Orangi, Banaras Chowk, North Nazimabad, Liaquatabad, Hasan Square, Jail Chowrangi, Nazimabad Matric Board Office, Lines Area, Preedy Street, Saddar and many others upto its final destination in Clifton.

By the addition of this new fleet of 25, the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has plied 75 buses so far under the CNG Bus Pilot Project.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has launched the operation.

The city nazim in his address said that with the start of route-III, the people would find a dedicated transport service without assorted menaces such as that of a conductor and frequent stoppages.

He said that the new commencement would be entirely electronically managed as the commuters could buy in advance debit cards worth Rs 50 and Rs 100, which would be made available on all CNG ticketing booths and common general items stores, as well.

He claimed that although the CDGK has completely outsourced all three aspects of the project and would accrue an acute loss worth Rs 75 million per annum but it was comparatively less important in the light of CDGK’s commitment for revolutionizing the transport service in the city.

The city nazim added that the Federal government had announced to ply 5,000 CNG buses in the city some three years ago with Rs 5 billion. The CDGK had first completed its homework and submitted a plan for CNG Buses, which the federal government had approved.

Later on, the scheme was changed and the CDGK was told that the allocated funds would be divided so as to let other cities of Sindh get CNG buses. Thus, the city was assured of 50 percent of total allocations, Rs 2.5 billion.

Initially, it was approved that the CDGK would patronize the CNG bus project but then it was decided that the funds would be released through ministry of environment due to assessment on environment in the city. The CDGK had also consented to that proposition. However, the environment ministry has lagged to use Rs 300 million that were released a year ago, he said.

He said that the CDGK had no other choice except to start a CNG bus pilot project, which was launched with 50 CNG buses. The CDGK had procured 25 CNG buses each from Daewoo Company and Hino Pak respectively but unfortunately, the Daewoo made CNG buses had soon developed technical and mechanical problems so the CDGK dropped the Daewoo and preferred Hino Pak for further procurement.

However, he asked Hino to consider withdrawal of increase of Rs 800,000 to the cost of a single CNG bus, adding that if they fail to do so, the CDGK would procure CNG buses from other buyers.

He claimed that none other than Muttahidda Qaumi Movement had offered any role model of good governance and dedicated service to the humanity.

There were hundreds of thousands of people that lined up from Orangi Town No 1 to Northern By Pass as if it was a national event or a political victory procession.

Salient Features:
Total No of fleet: 3
Total No of CNG Buses: 75
Total investment Rs: 4400000 per bus (Rs 330000000 for 75 buses)
Total area covered: (42-km+30-km+28-km) 100 kilometers on 3 routes
Total cost on new terminus+25 Buses+Booths: Rs 210 million
Total ticketing booths: 164
Total Booth staff: 700
Drivers 180
Support staff: 50
Further procurement: CDGK has invited tenders for further 21 CNG buses, which may be procured possibly by June, 2010

Is KESC implying all Karachiites are thieves?

“KESC humiliating citizens by telling them they steal electricity”

December 23, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) ltd has started a unique style of humiliating the electricity consumers and taxpayer citizens.

The utility has recently started sending colourful electricity bills to its consumers, which makes it clear that the consumers at the receiving end of KESC’s electricity bills were not involved in any violation to the utility including the fact that these consumers have been paying off their electricity bills regularly. Only a few consumers could fail to pay their monthly electricity bills and for that they have to pay the accumulated bill they receive the following month alongwith late payment surcharge and interest on it.

The KESC could not claim that the residential consumers had not paid KESC’s monthly electricity bills because the utility’s team assigned to disconnection constantly monitors those consumers who due to any reason failed to pay off their electricity bills for successive three months or upto Rs 5,000 of accumulated amount of electricity bills.

The utility has a print of shameful text on the front of monthly electricity bill, which is as:

“Hum Bijli Chooratay Hain Tub hi Hamaray Bachchay Iskoolon Main Garmi Say Behaal Hotay Hain” (Since we (the KESC’s consumers) steal the electricity therefore our children face hot climate in classrooms).

Definitely, KESC do not send bills to those electricity consumers who steal the electricity by Kunda system, as the utility has claimed. Proper bills could only be served to those who have legal electricity connections.

KESC feels no reluctance to disconnect electricity connections of any consumers who fail to pay the dues. The KESC was sending such bills to legal consumers with humiliating text.

The KESC should rather take measures for improving flaws in the distribution system and reducing line losses. If the KESC feels there were illegal connections in the city, it should ask the government for help rather they should hurt the self-esteem of the legal and respectable consumers.

In fact, the citizens of the city have been left at the mercy of KESC. There is no time limit of load sheding, which exceeds many hours but the bills carry cumbersome and heavy amounts.

While talking to Daily Times, many citizens who pointed out that humiliating text on KESC’s electricity bill said that if the government or any authority was unable to address citizens’ agony that has worsened by the KESC’s heavy and increased tariff, at least they should ask the KESC to remove such indecent language from bills.

Defunct KDA, KMC still await devolution

December 24, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: The two major autonomous authorities, the defunct Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and the defunct Karachi Municipal Corporation (LMC) have yet to be devolved fully while despite a decade has passed over, the fateful authorities and consequently their employees are still in dilemma particularly they are facing cumbersome environment regarding all aspects.

Sources privy to these situations have said that as regards to the specific situation of the city of Karachi, which is the largest metropolitan city of the country, the disbursement of salaries and perks and lawful privileges of these two defunct authorities are still a big question mark.

The sources have reminded that it was pertinent to mention that the devolution plan was aimed at to decentralize the powers upto the grass root level in order to ensure involvement of the citizens in policy-making and planning compartments of the system in Pakistan.

This was followed by the establishment of local government systems in the country with separate local government ordinances (LGO).

The agenda thus prescribed was to reconstruct the national institutions of the state.

However, the prime objectives of the devolution in case of these two defunct authorities especially ensuring functioning of offices to improve service delivery and to eliminate delays in decisions made for disposing of the matters concerned via increased administrative and financial authority are yet to be given to these two defunct authorities.

The sources have further added that these two defunct authorities have been merged with the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) but these were not devolved. Henceforth, the CDGK has to cater to these defunct authorities for their financial and other related concerns, which have proved an awesome responsibility.

The sources have claimed that the CDGK has to arrange for monthly salaries of officers and these two defunct authorities, which comes to Rs 600 million of which Rs 100 million and Rs 400 million are for the defunct KDA and the defunct KMC respectively. Further, around Rs 100 are for pension for both.

The sources further said that after devolution, provincial government has been held responsible for salaries plus 20 percent increases in salaries and pension money for all devolved institutions but these two authorities have been pending with the decision for declaring them as fully devolved departments.

However, the provincial government releases funds for the salaries and perks and pension only for those employees that fall under fully devolved category. Nonetheless, the defunct KDA and the defunct KMC stand to be as being suspended amid devolved and non-devolved category.

The sources added that the CDGK has not yet disbursed salaries or pension for the month of Dec to the employees of these defunct authorities, which is Rs 600 million. Although the CDGK has arranged for the required funds but still they are facing an acute shortfall of Rs 120 million of which Rs 80 million and Rs 140 million are for the defunct KDA and the defunct KMC respectively.

The sources claimed that the Single Line Transfer Fund are restricted to only devolved portion of the CDGK and the employees of this portion get their salaries and other benefits from the provincial government through Accountant General of Sindh.

The sources said that the financial releases in terms of Octroi and Zilla Tax in favour of the CDGK are also insufficient as this amounts to Rs 284 million.

KESC can give no guarantee to end load sheding unless theft was not stopped, says CEO Tabish Gauhar

December 26, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Karachi Electric Supply Company’s (KESC) new grid station installed at Gulshan-e Maymar was officially inaugurated on Tuesday. City nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal had performed the inauguration. The new grid station is claimed to cater to around 17,000 new consumers mainly city new industrial zone, the SITE-II alongwith domestic consumers, as well.

Speaking on the occasion Ahsan Arshad of SITE-II Association claimed that with the start of the grid station, foreign investors have in acclamation to KESC’s efforts showed their interest to shift their capital from Punjab to city.

Speaking on the occasion, the KESC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tabish Gauhar said that the utility had assured the government for 9 new grid stations of which 6 have so far been installed. The new grid station installed at Gulshan-e Maymar has cost the utility Rs 460 million and it was completed in 11 months.

The CEO claimed that the grid station would cater to power needs of SITE-II, Housing projects of scheme 33, Federal A and B areas where power load was enhanced while the system had depreciated to end.

The CEO further claimed that the utility has till date invested Rs 20 billion in the system of which Rs 16 billion were drawn from Al-Abraaj’s shareholders while the remaining Rs 4 billion was from Federal government. Thus, the utility has thus added 450 MW to the system, he added.

The CEO said that certain projects for further improvement work in many of city areas worth Rs 2.5 billion would be completed by Jun 30, 2010.

The CEO alleged the theft of power in city was rampant due to which the utility was driven to shed load. The utility could not offer any guarantee as when the load shedding would come to an end until the theft of power was not fully eliminated. The theft of power was the key reason behind utility’s financial deficits, which has prevented it spending money on purchase of fuel oil, he added.

The CEO said that the utility could not overcome the power crisis with investments only but the leakages and thefts need to be eliminated promptly. “We could not give any deadline for end to load shedding unless the theft of power was not stopped”.

As well, there was a gas supply shortage as the utility in Dec had received just 100 million cubic feet (cu/ft) instead of 190 million cu/ft, he said.

The CEO said that two of Bin Qasim Thermal Power Station’s power generation units were completely outdated and has been closed for maintenance work.

The CEO said that the utility was passing through severe financial deficits while outstanding dues have reached upto Rs 45 billion at government’s end.

The CEO said that the utility would from coming Friday hold open public hearing starting from Gulshan-e Iqbal Town in order to listen to their grievances, complaints and suggestions regarding KESC.

The CEO said that the increases in power tariff were due to rise in fuel oil at international markets.

“The utility has around 18,000 faithful employees and has to take care of these as well, he informed”.

The CEO said that the utility has approached the government to award 40 percent subsidy to the poor consumers while the accumulated revenue would be returned to the consumers in terms of better services and system, he claimed.

The CEO said there was a gap between supply and demand suggesting that energy conservation plan should be adopted in full letter and spirit, which could ensure saving around 200 MW.

The CEO said that the utility has proposed that city’s markets should open in the early wee hours and close by 7 pm but if they do not come up with their consent then they should use their private generators after that time.

In his address, city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said that criticizing the KESC blatantly was not justified because doing so would levy damage to citizens. Henceforth, care should be taken when condemning the utility. Being citizens, problems at the KESC’s end should also be considered, as the utility was one of national assets.

He said that although the load shedding has levied damage to CDGK’s efforts but the later has always offered its best cooperation to the utility for its efforts for improvements in the system.

The CDGK has also owned the KESC for the last four years. It was an easier job to create a fuss against the utility but since the utility proved they owned the city so the CDGK did not tolerate road cutting and even Karachi water and sewerage Board’s Managing Director was booked in an FIR for road cutting but the KESC was always exempted.

He said that in the prevailing scenario when the institutions have been engulfed by the corruption, the utility looks as if they were the angels so irrespective to ethnic or political affiliations, the utility should be assisted.

He said that those who steal the electricity and do not pay utility bills especially electricity and water were taking Haraam and all their good deeds were useless. Not a single religious scholar ever preached for the true Jihad, not to tell lie, not to indulge in power theft, etc.

He said that if power stealing was not eliminated, the load shedding would never end even if a dozens more power utility start their operations.

He urged for appropriate and formal arrangements between the utility and the towns and union council nazims for consolidated efforts for the improvement measures.
He urged the citizens to take up the Jihad for paying KESC’s bills and stop stealing electricity.

He asked what was the difference between mobile snatchers at gunpoint and those that steal the electricity?

Salient Features:
Project 132 KV GULSHAN-E-MAYMAR GRID STATION with Capacity of 40 MVA is an outdoor station and hybrid of conventional and GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) with control and monitoring through a state-of-art automation system.

Total cost: Rs. 450.29 million
Feeders Energized: 09 Nos.
Areas benefited: Gulshan-e-Maymar area, Ahsanabad Area, New Societies in KDA Scheme-33, SITE-II Industrial Area.
Feeders:
1.Maymar Complex
2. Kali Market
3. Ahsanabad
4. Pole – 21 RMU
5. Pole 19/5
6. Chambelli RMU
7. NCB
8. Win Mark
9. Sector ‘R’

Turkey considers rescue workers’ training in city

City District Government Karachi has already completed infrastructure upliftment in the city so as to promote incentives for foreign investment and the Turkish investors would also be provided with best facilities and support: Syed Mustafa Kamal

December 28, 2009
By Irfan Aligi
KARACHI: The ambassador of the republic of Turkey Hizlan called on city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal at city nazim’s secretariat on Thursday and had discussed matters of mutual interests.

On the occasion, the city nazim apprised the Turkish convoy about importance of city of Karachi in the wider perspective as regards to South East Asian region.

He said that the city offers countless opportunities for trade and industry especially to the foreign investors while the Turkish businessmen should also benefit from the geo-economic role of the city.

He further said that the City District Government Karachi has already completed infrastructure upliftment in the city so as to promote incentives for foreign investment and the Turkish investors would also be provided with best facilities and support.

He reminded that Pakistan and the republic of Turkey have time-tested strong brotherly relations and suggested that since Istanbul has one of the best rapid bus transport system while they have also excelled in the rescue works particularly in the earthquakes, it could provide valuable cooperation to CDGK in its Rapid Bus Transport System and training program for the rescue workers and in the solid waste management field.

The Turkish ambassador assured city nazim that Turkey would soon arrange for the training of the rescue workers in the city for which a permanent office would also be established in the city so that the training could be arranged on permanent basis.

Let the talented you play a role for stronger Pakistan: Says Syed Mustafa Kamal, the City Nazim

City nazim at KASBIT reception:

38 families have governed the country since past 60 years but they did not even establish a primary school in their jurisdiction while they sent their wards to foreign countries for education

December 27, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Karachi Jan 27: The Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari Institute of Technology (KASBIT) hosted a reception in City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal’s honor on Wednesday to allow KASBIT students share the experience and know-how on administration and good governance in the prevailing political and social situation of Pakistan especially the city of Karachi.

While addressing the students’ assembly inside the KASBIT, the city nazim defined the precincts of the elite ruling classes’ dynasty with reference to gap between the rulers and the citizens.

He added that the core elite class has with full force impeded the way of true democracy and citizens’ sharing in public making measures while they have ruthlessly obstructed outlets for the talented, intelligent and educated youth from the middle class from playing their vital role for stronger, prosperous and politically as well as economically self-reliant Pakistan.

But still, the youth were the future of the country and they should recognize their status and realize their responsibilities toward building the country from all aspects so they should focus on most modern scientific innovations, tools and means for a better country, said city nazim, adding that the future of Pakistan was associated with the youth filled with ambitions and logical aims and objectives, which is just one step away from them.

The only step was to allow the youth hailing from the middle class with appropriate opportunities. The youth from the middle class constitutes around 98 percent of country’s whole population that could build the country in just four years as was done by the youth of the city of Karachi.

City nazim added that 38 families have governed the country since past 60 years but they did not even establish a primary school in their jurisdiction while they sent their wards to foreign countries for education.

“How could Pakistan progress in such conditions”, he asked adding that only those who have suffered with the problems could perceive the pangs of the real problems of society. The youth from the middle class youth could only solve the problems of common man because they could be held accountable to the people, which were impossible as regards to aforementioned 38 ruling families.

City nazim said claimed that his leader and Muttahidda Qaumi Movement Chief Altaf Hussain was the leader who ensured opening of new avenues for the youth, which was manifested in city’s immense development.

The city of Karachi has thus set up a new example of serving the people and addressing their grievances in just four years.

On this occasion a documentary depicting city’s development during last four years was also screened.

Long awaited Banaras flyover would be open for traffic in March

The CDGK under drastic financial deficit has to bear 50 percent of total expenditures while the Sindh government is the shareholder for the remaining 50 percent expenses. However, CDGK and KESC had agreed an amount that would not exceed Rs 20 million.

December 21, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: The ongoing construction work on Banaras Flyover is nearing completion on a fast track basis as 80 percent of the construction work has been completed. The flyover is the only one in the history of the city that has been delayed due to changes in its design for two times, one for the increase in total span of the bridge while the other was to save hundreds of shops, hotels and residential premises.

The overhead heavy transmission lines were also a major impediment, which the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has recently resolved after reaching a modus operandi and expenses’ share with the Karachi Electric Supply Company as the KESC was demanding Rs 100 million to meet the shifting of poles and cables from the venue.

The flyover was stretched for further 1.25-km in length. Henceforth, these changes in the designs and subsequent delay in completion of the flyover has also caused a hefty increase of development expenditures from Rs 370 million to Rs 1.10 billion.

The CDGK under drastic financial deficit has to bear 50 percent of total expenditures while the Sindh government is the counter shareholder for the remaining 50 percent expenses. However, CDGK and KESC had agreed to an amount that would not exceed Rs 20 million.

The delay was also enhanced due to lesser releases of funds by the Sindh government on quarterly schedule of releases and the delay has caused around 2 million people to suffer in different aspects such as traffic gridlocks, narrow muddy passage for constantly heavy traffic round the clock, dust storm and elongation of travel time with jolts and shovels.

In this regard, City nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal visited the site of construction as he has been frequently visiting the construction site of Banaras Flyover caused triggering the pace of ongoing construction work.

On Thursday, he again visited the construction site of the flyover after he had inaugurated the Afza Altaf children park in Orangi Town on Thursday.

While talking to media persons, city nazim claimed that the flyover total cost of construction would come to Rs1.4 billion and it would be open for the traffic by Mar 2010.

He added that the flyover would cater to millions of people while Orangi Town and other areas in the vicinity would get connected to main city routes because the flyover would also cause a vivid decline in traveling problems including passage of time.

He also announced that CDGK would establish an institute of heart diseases in Orangi Town and another bulk water supply line would be installed besides that CDGK has already completed a water project for the Orangi Town for supply of 5-million gallon of water per day.

In reply to a question, city nazim said that the National Highway Authority had initiated the construction of a link road connecting Orangi Town to North Nazimabad via Shahra-e Noor Jehan but they had left the project halfway. This had caused CDGK to spend Rs 40 million to complete the project.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal delivers keys of arson-affected markets to traders

Out of 26 arson-affected markets 9 have been reconstructed and keys of these markets have been delivered to the original traders

December 19, 2009

By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has delivered keys of several markets to the traders after completing necessary repair, reconstruction and renovation was done to these markets.

This was performed during a ceremony held at the arson-affected Bolton Market on Tuesday.

Those who received keys included Muhammad Mumtaz of Zameendar Market, Noor Ahmed Rehan of Farooque Fancy Feroze market, Muhammad Saeed of Hamid market No 1, Habib Hashim of Hamid market No 2, Syed Zahid Ali of B K Trust Market, Imran of Bolton Market (Marvan Plastics), Mansoor of Bolton Market (Fine Plastics) and Suhail of Good luck Plastics and Juma Khan of Light House Used Cloth market Traders Association’s president.

The traders on the occasion addressed the ceremony and a trader Muhammad Hanif presented a resolution on behalf of the traders fraternity in condemnation to certain political and religious parties, which they claimed had tried to manipulate the arson and carnage for their interest and to create unrest in the city on ethnic and religious grounds.
Bolton Market Traders Association (BMTA) Chairman Asif Rasheed while addressing the ceremony lauded Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) and city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal for their contribution for quick rehabilitation of the arson-affected traders within three weeks.

He requested city nazim to play his role regarding immediate lease of their premise in Bolton Market because that traders were in dire need of it.

Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) Managing Director Tabish Gauhar said that his company had installed around 900 electricity tariff meters while Rs 1.20 million have been spent on different operations.

He said that the utility had exempted electricity bill for the month of Dec while bills for Jan to Mar have been deferred till Apr. The traders would be taken into confidence on the issue of deferred bills to see how they could manage to settle the deferred payments.

He said that KESC has in collaboration with Phillips Pakistan arranged for 10,000 energy savers of which the later would give 4,000.

Addressing the ceremony, city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said that out of 26 arson-affected markets 9 have been reconstructed and keys of these markets have been delivered to the original traders.

He said that it was a gigantic task to address but City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has within 20 days completed it with the help of the citizens, different institutions, MQM lawmakers, Association of Builders and developers (ABAD), KESC, Sui Southern Gas Company, contractors of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and CDGK.

He said that those who had tried to politicize the CDGK Fire department should answer why authorities failed to detect a bomb and why they failed to control the rioters that wreaked havoc and set market on fire.

He assured that no matter how much was the total loss but 90 percent of that would be reimbursed to the affected traders.

He said that neither the CDGK nor the provincial or federal governments paid any penny to the affected traders but they were the citizens that have arranged for the financial assistance till date.

Ground breaking ceremony of reconstruction of Quetta Walla Building:

Later, city nazim performed groundbreaking ceremony of reconstruction of Quetta Walla Building and assured traders that the building would be reconstructed according to older plan and the premise would not be squeezed.

It is pertinent to mention that ABAD would reconstruct the said building and according to an ABAD’s representative, it would cost around Rs 100 million.

Inauguration of 12 development projects in Baldia Town:

Meanwhile, city nazim inaugurated 12 different projects including a sports complex in Baldia Town worth Rs 105 million.

While talking to media, city nazim said that the sports stadium would be handed over to Rashid Latif for onward management.

City nazim said that CDGK has developed the sports stadium for the people of Baldia Town, which was considered as largest residential colony of the under-privileged and it could be compared to any other sports stadium in country and abroad.

In reply to a question, city nazim said that CDGK has developed hundreds of parks and sports grounds for people’s recreation. These projects have cost billions of rupees but despite drastic financial deficits, CDGK would not impose any fee on citizens but the citizens would own these projects with their contributions in all respects.

He said that these parks and playgrounds have created thousands of job opportunities for the citizens and sportsman and their organisations.

Challenges could only be coped with use of modern technology, says city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal

CCPO Waseem Ahmed visits CDGK Command and Control Room:

December 27, 2009

By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: The Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Karachi Waseem Ahmed alongwith SSP Dr Amin Yousuf Zai and other police officers visited City District Government Karachi’s (CDGK) Command and Control Room to witness the city’s digital monitoring facility on ninth of Muharram on Sunday.

The CCPO Karachi said that the law enforcement agencies particularly the Police have effectively used CDGK’s command and control system for eyeing on the routes of Muharram procession so as to ensure maximum protection to the citizens.

On the occasion, city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal addressed the media and said that CDGK has facilitated city’s administration with 275 video cameras being installed on different location enroute while further 100 were in pipeline.

Kamal added that the purpose of establishing such a state of the art surveillance system was only for the citizens’ security amid escalating threats of terrorist activities. As yet, the authorities, law enforcement agencies, Capital City Police, elected legislators; CDGK and its officers and nazims have through a collective effort ensured peace and harmony in the city and throughout the routes where the surveillance system was available, inch-by-inch were being monitored constantly.

Kamal while talking to Daily Times said that every step would be taken to ensure complete harmony in the city and none would be allowed to disturb the city because this city is the backbone of country’s economy and people from every district, province and area of the country have lived here.

Kamal urged the citizens should also play their role and come forward to assist the government to ensure peace and so to send a message across the world that the Karachiites were lovers of peace and they hated the terrorists.

Kamal reminded that the present day challenges were of an era of internet technology and in order to cope with these challenges, it was imperative that the use of modern surveillance technology was guaranteed in full letter and spirit.

Kamal said that his party, Muttahidda Qaumi Movement was a liberal one and has a uniform policy for everyone. “The Haq Parasts believe in humanity and the have been catering to the citizens in strict accordance with the teachings of MQM Chief Altaf Hussein.

CDGK Veterinary Department has yet to be devolved after 9 years

“The Veterinary Department has a crucial role to play regarding quality and hygienic edible food such as veal, meat and poultry but it has just one vehicle for a city with huge population, thousands of meat and veal shops. The DO Vet.D is so powerless that he could not impose just one rupee as fine against offenders”

December 27, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Since devolution in 2001, the veterinary department (Vet.D) of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has been ignored while it has key role to play as regards to ensuring quality of certain edible goods.

A well-placed officer told Daily Times that the devolution made in 2001 and protected with the Sindh Local Government Ordinance-2001 has made it mandatory for the Town Municipal Administrations (TMA) to adopt necessary measures for enabling the Vet.D to function in the true spirit of quality-assuring bureaux for the protection of citizens’ rights for quality goods.

The officer further said that the section 45-A (K) of the SLGO-2001 binds the TMAs to make necessary arrangements to curb illegal slaughterhouses and ensure constant quality of meat and veal through flawless monitoring and examination of the product at the time of slaughtering and while on sale at shops. Unfortunately, these measures have yet to be taken.

The entire Vet.D is barren in terms of logistic support as there is just a single van for a city of around 18 million people, more than 400 small, medium and large markets and 25,000 meat and veal shops, around 1,000 shops for poultry meat, two official slaughter House and countless illegal private abattoirs but one poor Vet.D without required manpower, equipments, powers for regulating schemes and ordering the maintenance of quality and hygiene of these edible varieties of food, the officer claimed.

The officer said that the District Officer Vet.D had once banned outcoming of live animals from city’s largest slaughterhouse but to no avail as the stakeholders had posed great law and order threat.

The said DO had sought imposition of section 144 of the Cr PC time and again but it was not favoured due to undisclosed reasons. The Vet.D has another plan to seek these measures take force after tenth of Muharram so as to strictly monitor and curb the menace, Daily Times has reliably learnt.

The officer added that it is the TMAs’ responsibility especially Town Officer Municipal Regulations (TOMR) to see that no single piece of meat and veal was sold at shops without Vet.D’s official stamp. The stamped product is sign of quality while the rest was risky and could be hazardous to citizens’ health. The unstamped product has lesser value in terms of price and is inflicting loss of revenue as well.

The officer regretted as he termed that these TMORs were a burden on CDGK because they had failed to fulfill their official responsibilities, but still they have been offered such lucrative jobs with mentionable pay and perks and extraordinary powers adding that it was a misery that the DO Vet.D was not allowed to impose fine even for Rs one to any offender while these TMAs’ secretaries have been conferred upon these lavish powers, who could impose penalty upto Rs 500.

It has been revealed to Daily Times that the TMAs secretaries and TOMRs have turned a blind eye on these issues of illegal abattoirs for personal benefits.

Shopkeepers also told Daily Times that the members of CDGK price control committee and Sindh government food inspectors had been receiving their shares in terms of best part of product for free and some money once in a week.

In this regard, a veal merchant who sells “pressure walla gosht” (water-injected veal for increasing weight) told Daily Times that Police of the area concerned was paid Bhutta (Extortion money) worth Rs 1, 000 per month per shop.

However, the Vet.D has so far conducted more than 150 raids and confiscated around 35,000 kgs of meat and veal without legal stamping, Daily Times has learned.

City nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal satisfied with CDGK’s vigilance measures for Muharram

December 26, 2009

By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has ensured concrete security measures for Muharram-Ul Haram while Capital City Police (CCP) and Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) have been facilitated with direct access to CDGK’s Command and Control Room for strict vigilance on certain sensitive areas especially from the Nishter Park to Merewether Tower through latest close circuit cameras and latest monitoring technology.

Thus the CDGK has paved ways for flawless vigilance of city’s specified routes so as to ensure maximum protection for the citizens of the city, as the arrangements have been made to cover inch-by-inch of the areas under vigilance.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal stated these views while he spent hours in the CDGK’s Command and Control Room to oversee the efficacy of these measures on Saturday.

Kamal then took to the streets to look at the practicability of assigned tasks, which he declared satisfactory.

During his visit, officer deputed on ascertaining the pons and crons of the arrangements briefed him that the CDGK has in pursuance to Police’s advice established various monitoring camps on the routes of Muharram while city wardens and fire brigade would remain alert at various designated locations.

Kamal on that occasion said that CCP personnel led by a senior police officer and the CPLC officials would monitor city’s situation from CDGK’s Command and Control Room for two days, adding that the city government has already finalized all the arrangements in this regard.

Kamal said that the entire route of Muharram procession commencing from the Nishter Park to Merewether Tower especially M A Jinnah Road was sensitive and important as regards to religious and political events. Henceforth, CDGK has arranged for the monitoring of every inch of the area.

Kamal added that CDGK’s Command and Control System was not devised only to function during Muharram days but it tends to be serving throughout the year and round the clock.

Kamal expressed his hopes as he commented that with the use of CDGK’s Command and Control System, CCP and other law enforcement agencies would get tangible assistance regarding executing their professional responsibilities.

Kamal said that in order to provide dedicated services to the mourners, CDGK has made excellent arrangements for Muharram as the fire brigade, doctors, paramedics, ambulances, water and sewerage jetting machines have been deployed on different locations on the route of procession so that they could react anytime in cases of emergencies.

It is pertinent to mention that the CDGK has deployed CWs, CDGK Ambulance service 1122, fire brigade and KWSB officials at Missile Fuwwara Chowrangi and Preedy Street. The CWs have been assigned to stay alert at Kharadar, Jama Cloth Market, Old Numaish, Ayesha Manzil, Nishter Park, Ancholi, Jamia Sibtain, Abu Turab, DHA Phase-IV and at signal free corridors.

City Nazim inaugurates postgraduate bloc at Sir Syed College

December 22, 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.