KARACHI - Deputy Mayor Karachi Dr Arshad Vohra said on Wednesday that despite being a port city, Karachi had no share in the taxes collected from its citizens.
Briefing the participants of 22nd Mid-Career Management Course of the National Institute of Management Lahore, who visited KMC’s head office, Vohra said, “Municipal problems in the metropolis increased due to the absence of elected representatives for many years. However, only two months after the elected representatives took office, people have begun to feel the change.”
Municipal Commissioner Dr Badar Jameel, Financial Advisor Khalid Mehmood Sheikh, Municipal Services Director Masood Alam and other officers were also present on the occasion.
Referring to the significance of Karachi, the deputy mayor said this corporate and industrial hub of Pakistan provided livelihoods to millions of people who came from every part of the country and settled here in search of better prospects.
He said that solid waste management had been a major issue in Karachi. “Unlike Punjab where separate solid waste management boards were formed for seven cities, only one solid waste management board has been established here, which has to dispose of the garbage of the whole province,” he informed.
He said after the conclusion of Octroi system, KMC had started receiving matching grant which had never been revised. “And still we are getting the same old grant,” he complained.
Vohra further said that no one could imagine progress without taking on board the local people.
“Therefore, the present leadership of Karachi is making it sure to consult and take guidance from people of the city in every sector of public life,” he added.
He said KMC was giving a priority to public service works, such as the fire brigade which, he said, was being developed on modern lines.
“With the induction of two latest fire-fighting vehicles to our fire brigade recently, which we were gifted by Japan and the offer of another one, we hope our fire brigade will do even better in future,” he hoped.
Participants of the course later visited the historical KMC Council Hall.