KARACHI, Aug 28: The government is responsible for providing cheap and quality residential facilities to the people and there is a need to initiate work on low-cost housing schemes to accommodate the growing population of the metropolis.
This was stated by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Thursday.
Stressing the need for completing the new Malir housing scheme, adding that the scheme’s allottees should be given the possession of their respective plot within the next two months. The scheme had been lying abandoned for the past six to seven years.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the balloting ceremony that was held for the scheme’s 18,000 allottees.
The government’s objective, Dr Ishrat said, was to solve the people’s problems besides providing them better facilities, adding that better coordination among the various government departments was needed in this regard.
Meanwhile, City Nazim Naimatullah Khan maintained that three new schemes would be established in Karachi at Malir, Hawkesbay and Baldia.
Earlier, the Nazim had praised the Governor Sindh for presenting the Karachi’s case in a very convincing manner before President Pervez Musharraf, adding that the city government was enjoying the governor’s support and cooperation.
Referring to the approval of Rs29 billion for Karachi by President Gen Pervez Musharraf, the Nazim said that the people would witness a city transformed once the ongoing projects were completed.
The City Nazim expressed the hope that new Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Local Bodies would cooperate in the larger interest of the city, adding that everyone, irrespective of their political affiliations, should work for the betterment of the city.
Advisor to the chief minister for local government affairs, Waseem Akhtar also spoke on the occasion reflecting the sentiments of the Nazim Karachi.
The Additional Chief Secretary, Local Government, Mohammed Saleem Khan and DCO Mir Hussain Ali were also present on the occasion.
The Sindh governor, while presiding over another meeting to review the water situation in the city, called for exploring all possible means for obtaining water supply for the city instead of depending on river and surface water alone.
Stressing the need to find a lasting and viable solution, Dr Ishratul Ibad said that crisis management in the water supply system in Karachi could not continue for a long time.
He was presiding over a meeting at the Governor’s House here on Thursday.
Focussing on the need for taking steps to complete a survey for finding alternative water resources, the governor said that it was necessary to bring the city out of the crisis situation.
He said that alternative sources like sub-soil water, desalination projects and treated water for poultry farming and gardening should be explored.
The meeting was informed that Rs230 million would be spent on exploring alternative sources of water while Rs1.2 billion had been allocated for improving the existing water supply system.
Officials of the Water Board informed that a survey was being conducted regarding underground water resources, adding that 100 points have been selected for initial drilling for water.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Planning and development Minister Shoaib Bukhari, Advisor for Local Government Waseem Akhtar, Nazim Karachi, Naimatullah Khan, Principal Secretary Akhtar Zamin, Additional Chief Secretary Ghulam Sarwar Khehro, Secretary Finance Malik Israr, DCO Mir Hussain Ali and other officials.—APP
