KARACHI, Jan 3: Naimatullah Khan, the city Nazim, on Friday distributed grants and sewing machines from the City Nazim Welfare Fund to help promote self-employment among the poor.

Grants worth more than Rs3 million were distributed, including 500 sewing machines, bridal gifts (dowry) for 40 girls and goods for self-employment for 80 youths.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the distribution of these goods was the duty of the city government as it had been donated to us by philanthropists for distribution to the needy .

He said, though open distribution of relief goods and grants caused humiliation to the receivers, it ensured transparency.

He highlighted the important role played by women councillors in the City Council and said some of them had even attended international seminars, and their work during the past 18 months had been exemplary.

Naib Nazim Tariq Hasan spoke about various grants given by philanthropist after appeals for the same by the city government. He said that goods worth Rs2 million were distributed before Ramazan, and relief goods of more than Rs3.5 million were sent to the earthquake-hit areas in the Northern Areas.

He pledged that with the support of the Nazim, the city government would continue to extend a helping hand to the needy.

Those present on the occasion included social worker Jimmy Engineer, elected representatives and officials of the city government.—PPI