KARACHI, March 5: City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has called upon the Sindh government to provide increased financial assistance to the city government in the next budget for meeting fire brigade's requirements , including more fire tenders and fire stations.

He stated this while addressing a walk held from the Expo Centre to National Coaching Centre in connection with the International Civil Defence Day. The nazim nullified the notion that the Civil Defence department functions only during war time, saying its importance did not recede even during peace time.

He recalled that in the past, the need for civil defence volunteers was intensely felt during floods and rains hitting Badin and Thatta districts. In Pakistan, he remarked, this department was not active and, therefore, could not effectively function.

Naimatullah Khan contended that under the new system, Civil Defence was supposed to be part of the city government, but it has not so far been devolved. He suggested that the department be devolved to the CDGK immediately so that it could be activated.

He pointed out that the deficiency of the department was being met by Fire Brigade Departmemt. However, for a city of 14 million, there was a need of 130 fire stations whereas there were only 20 fire stations at present.

He maintained that the CDGK could not meet this shortage from its own resources, and requested the provincial government, particularly Minister for Planning Shoaib Siddiqui and Minister for Finance Syed Sardar Ahmed, to allocate adequate funds in the next budget for the purpose. The walk was largely attended by workers of Civil Defence, Fire Brigade, volunteers, NGOs and students of various schools. -APP