KARACHI - Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has released Rs1 billion funds to local bodies for development of industrial zones of the metropolis.

Following the initiative, Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar thanked and appreciated the release of one billion rupees funds for infrastructure development works in all four industrial zones of Karachi. In a statement, he called this good omen for citizens of Karachi that the chief minister of Sindh has directed the department of industries to begin the infrastructure development works in all four industrial zones of the city within 20 days.

The mayor said we have been stressing on the need of release of large scale funds for Karachi as this city was neglected in last eight years and citizens were facing lot of problems due to this.

He said huge amount were required for solving the problems in industrial zones of Karachi however, the chief minister Sindh paid attention on this and initiated measures for solving these problems which we fully appreciate.

The mayor said everyone knew this well that Karachi provides major portion of revenue in the national exchequer and about 80 percent of resources for Sindh therefore this city has this right that it gets required funds for solution of its problems.

He expressed hope that the provincial government would pay special attention on Karachi city and provide all such resources which are required here.

Separately, Wasim Akhtar directed the director of graveyards in KMC to assess and review the documents related to the allocation of land to welfare organizations and associations for establishment of graveyards and also compile the record of all graveyards so proper assessment and future plans could be made in this connection.

He said it was essential owing to the complaints of the citizens that full and proper details are made available on the lands allocated for graveyards so that the use of such land could be ascertained.

He also directed to arrange for linking of all KMC graveyard’s record through computerized registration with the central office due to the reason that 152 graveyards in Karachi only 55 are registered and others have no registration, therefore their data must be prepared with full details.

He also directed that bylaws regarding graveyards should be prepared without delay and all union council chairmen be informed that no death certificate should be issued without having KMC challan. He also enquired about the progress on the development of new graveyard which has been planned in Surjani Town and instructed that work on it should be carried speedily.