05 October 2004	Tuesday	19 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Oct 4: Inefficient disposal of sewage, disorganized transportation system and improper supply of water represent the most important problems facing the city of Karachi.

To resolve these problems, the city government is taking worthwhile steps on a priority basis.

This was stated by the Nazim of Karachi, Naimatullah Khan, on Monday while talking to some officers belonging to the District Management Group (DMG) who are based in Lahore. The delegation of DMG officers is currently on a study-tour of the city.

The city government is in the process of bringing in new and better buses after phasing out the old and inefficient ones under the Urban Transport Scheme, said the Nazim. Similarly, efforts were under way to revive the Karachi Circular Railway and also a tram service.

Answering questions, Mr Khan said under the devolution plan bureaucracy had largely been done away with. However, the old policing system was still in place which needed to be changed.

No criminal activity, he said, could continue without the 'supervision and tacit approval' of the police. Therefore, to improve the law and order situation, changes must be brought about in the system of policing.

The Nazim claimed that he and his team had worked for the betterment of the city regardless of considerations for their political affiliations. "We have always undertaken development work in the true spirit of accountability and transparency and we have always upheld merit," remarked Mr Khan.

He asserted that the city government system was better than any that preceded it. However, powers should be devolved to the lower level equitably. In each of the last three years, the City District Government Karachi had paid out sizable amounts to the Union Council heads from its own budget. "This has not been done in the other parts of the country."

He said the Union Council heads had been given money by the city government so that they could undertake development work in their areas of control. The Nazim said Karachi would get its 'first implementable' master plan either by the beginning of next year or in the middle of it. The city's transport problem, he said, could not be resolved in the absence of a good mass transit plan.

More than 30 per cent of the water supplied to the city was wasted owing to leakage and pilferage. The city government was busy in changing the old water pipes, he said.

The country could make good progress provided it was blessed with good leadership which ensured transparency and merit in its dealings, said Mr Khan. He praised Gen Pervez Musharraf, saying that the president had always helped him in his endeavours.

To help develop the industrial areas, he said, four boards had been constituted. The infrastructure was also being improved under the Karachi Development Package. The Nazim urged the visiting officers to make wise choices in life as "it was unwise to enrich one's family at the expense of the Hereafter".

CLEANLINESS DRIVE: The nazim on Monday announced to launch an integrated city-wide cleanliness campaign in Karachi from October 5 to 16, adds PPI. He announced this in a press conference at Civic Centre. The campaign, to be launched with the coordination of towns and UCs, would be aimed at improving sanitary conditions in the city.

Anti-pye dog drive, spray for insecticides, cleaning of sewerage lines, removal of graffiti have also been made part of the campaign for which the nazim has formed a 28-member committee.