01 March 2004	Monday	09 Muharram 1425

HYDERABAD, Feb 29: Members of the City Taluka Council have criticized the taluka municipal administration for its failure to make proper arrangements for Muharram.

Speaking at a council session here on Saturday, Zulfikar Baloch said no lighting arrangements had been made by the TMA in his union council. He said the people had made temporary arrangements on their own.

Abdul Waheed Ajmeri, Qamruddin Shaikh and Abdul Hameed supported Mr Baloch's contention, claiming the entire city faced similar problems but the TMA paid no attention towards it.

Responding to the criticizm, taluka municipal officer Asadullah Khan invited the council members to point out places where work was needed to be carried out. Mr Ajmeri said the members should not be given mere assurances and lights should be installed forthwith.

Convener Abdul Qadeer Naghar said letters should be sent to the Regional Transport Authority secretary, excise and taxation officer, vehicle inspector and traffic DSP, asking them to attend the council session on March 4 and explain their positions regarding smoke-emitting vehicles plying in the city.

They were discussing a resolution was tabled by Yaqub Bhatti who said mini taxis without silencers were plying in the city. Vehicle inspector Saeed Ahmad Shah said mini taxis and other vehicles were plying without fitness certificates.

URS ARRANGEMENTS: Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism Shabbir Ahmed Kaim Khani presided over a meeting here on Friday which reviewed arrangements for the coming annual Urs of the great Sufi poet and saint Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.