KARACHI: Corrupt officials to be rooted out - Nazim
KARACHI, July 14: A delegation of trainee officers from Balochistan, the NWFP and Punjab, headed by the chief instructor, Civil Services Academy, Dr Hafiz Muhammad Ashraf, on a visit to Karachi, met the city nazim, Naimatullah on Wednesday.
Naimat informed the visitors about development plans under way in Karachi. He pointed out that like other big cities of Pakistan, Karachi also faced the problem of transport, however, the city government was dealing with the problem on priority basis.
He said the latest technology was being employed in the construction of 15 major roads in the city, while drains were being laid on both sides of roads. Regarding the transport system, Naimat said that an Urban Transport Scheme had been started and CNG buses were being plied to reduce environmental pollution.
"The CDGK has signed an agreement with China for operating a light rail system, while work on four mass transit corridors was underway," he told. He added that work was being carried out on roundabouts, thoroughfares, flyovers, bus termini, transit bus shelters and related schemes.
While, special projects had been prepared for improving the city's infrastructure, the city nazim told the visitors. Naimat said that Karachi was inhibited by people from all over Pakistan, adding that before he became city nazim, he used to describe Karachi as mini-Pakistan, but now he thinks Karachi was a complete Pakistan, as even a minor incident occurring here affected the whole country.
He said whatever had been done in the city during the last three years was the result of team work. He appreciated the services of DCO Mir Hussain Ali, towns and UC nazims and councillors.
Naimat told the visitors that whether they were in the police, foreign office, income tax or any other government department, they should discharge their responsibilities with honesty, determination and commitment.
He said the city government had raised its budget gradually without levying any new tax, adding that Karachi city council's budget was Pakistan largest, which was approved within two minutes with a thumping majority, creating a record.
DCO Mir Hussain Ali briefed the visitors about mega-projects like the K-III water project, Northern Bypass, Lyari Expressway, saying these would help solve the city's water and traffic problems.
He said the Katchi Abadis Department had not yet been devolved into the city government, due to which problems were being faced in providing facilities to dwellers of the katchi abadis. He said that steps were, however, being taken to solve the problems despite resource constraints.
The city nazim, Naimatullah Khan, on Wednesday distributed scholarship cheques among students of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, North Nazimabad. Speaking on the occasion, he said that education would be universalised in Karachi.
He said education had been made free from classes one to 10, while computers would be provided to two schools in each town. He said Rs12.2 million had been earmarked for providing necessary equipment to science laboratories at 56 secondary schools.
Besides, 93 female students of classes VI to VIII would be given stipends for which Rs90 million had been allocated. They would also be provided free textbooks. He said that female education played an important role in the formation of a model society.
He said the city government had played its role of providing facilities, and it was now up to the female students to pay full attention to their education. He exhorted the teachers to impart quality education to girl students, while considering them as their daughters, and guide them so they might achieve positions in board examinations.
Naimat pointed out that literacy rate in Karachi was the highest in the country, but the city government was still taking concerted steps to further increase it. For this purpose, 31 per cent allocation had made in the budget 2004-05 for education.
Referring to the sale of text books to junk dealers, he said the DCO is probing the matter, assuring that action would be taken against employees and officials involved.
The city nazim, Naimatullah Khan, expressing his hatred for corrupt officials and employees, vowed to take strict measures for eliminating corruption from government departments. "Black sheep still exist in government departments," the nazim said.
He said the CDGK planned to open 10 new colleges in the city, however, regretting that due to ban on fresh appointments, no fresh appointments could be made in 22 colleges. There was a shortage of staff in both education and health departments.
He said students must be made aware about the ideology of Pakistan, an ideology for which hundreds of thousands of people rendered sacrifices. He regretted that even after 56 years, Pakistan could not be made an ideological country.
Naimat said for elimination of corruption, crimes and terrorism, and for establishment of a model society, there was a need for an Islamic system, one based on that established by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Madinatul Munawwara.
The ceremony was also attended by EDO Schools Gul Mohammad Hajano, Advisor to nazim on Education Nasim Siddiqui, Nazim Qazi Sadruddin, Principal Shah Jahan, DO Schools (Female) Fakhar Karim and other officials. - APP/PPI
