KARACHI - Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that service to the people of Karachi is above politics and party affiliations.
This he said while talking to Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar who called on him along with Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro here at the CM House on Wednesday. Deputy Mayor Arshad Vohra also attended the meeting. The CM said that there were lots of issues in the city such as dilapidated roads, choked or broken gutter lines, very poor garbage lifting service, resulting in the accumulation of heaps of garbage here and there.
“This I know because I keep visiting the city off and on to inspect the quality and pace of the ongoing development works under the umbrella of Rs10 billion Karachi Package,” he said. Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar said that apart from these issues, there was the problem of poor quality fire tenders, snorkels and parks.
“I have worked out a plan, which is to follow 100 days of cleanliness campaign, in which small repair and maintenance works of roads, drainage and water supply lines would be under taken, if you (CM) extend the helping hand,” he said.
To this the chief minister said that he was always ready to support him. “There is no issue of funds, I would arrange for this city,” he assured the mayor.
The chief minister directed Minister for Local Government Jam Khan Shoro to sit with the mayor and work out a plan to rehabilitate roads, water supply lines, improve drainage system, purchase fire tenders and develop a mechanism to dispose of the remaining garbage before the private firm started lifting it from the DMCs areas. “You just complete your exercise, I would do the maximum for the people of Karachi,” he assured.
It was also decided in the meeting that the parks, which were in a poor condition, would be awarded under the ‘Adopt a Park’ programme so that these could be developed in the interest of residents.
The participants also decided to award maintenance contracts of the snorkels to the concerned companies. “The local maintenance has created serious problems in the snorkels,” said local government minister.
The CM said, “We all have to work together for this city. I would give you maximum resources; technical and others, without any delay.” The meeting also decided to remove encroachments along the roads and bulldoze illegal constructions in different localities for which the Sindh government would form Anti-Encroachment Force to be put under mayor’s control.
Former PM meets CM
Former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani met Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah here at the CM House on Wednesday and discussed with him party’s organisation and other matters of mutual interest. Later while talking to PPP MPAs, Imtiaz Sheikh, Sajid Jokhio, Murtaza Baloch and Chairman District Council Karachi Salman Murad here at the CM House, Murad said that he was taking personal interest in the development of each and every district of the province. “No district would be left undeveloped,” he vowed.
Japanese ambassador meets CM
Ambassador of Japan Takashi Kurai also called on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at CM House and discussed Japan assisted development schemes with him.
The ambassador told the chief minister that the Japanese government was keen to support Sindh in social sectors such as education and health. He also said that his country would also support Sindh government in energy sector, particularly renewable energy.
In the meeting, they agreed that additional chief secretary (Development) Wasim would hold more meetings with the Japanese team.
The chief minister presented Sindhi Ajrak, Sindhi caps and other gifts to the visitors.