KARACHI, Dec 15: The Adviser to Chief Minister on Local Government, Waseem Akhtar, has said that good-built roads in any city not only guarantees progress and prosperity, but also adds to the city's beauty.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a road constructed under the Taameer-i-Karachi programme in Block 13-D, UC-8, Gulshan-i-Iqbal on Wednesday. Some Rs18.50 million is being spent on the internal and external roads of Block 13-D Gulshan-i-Iqbal and these will be completed in two months.

He directed the concerned officials and staff to ensure prudent utilization of funds so that people are provided maximum facilities. Mr Akhtar said, "Had we been biased, we would not have allowed approval of any scheme for Karachi."

He said that while changing earlier traditions, funds were first released to the opposition representatives. "We just want to serve people above all political considerations," the adviser said, adding that under the new system more funds were being made available and whatever was being released would be utilised in earnest.

He said should there be any case of corruption or wastage of money, the Sindh Local Government Commission would certainly inquire into the same, and whosoever involved would be punished.

The minister also inaugurated a high mask light at Masjid Abrar Chowk, Sehba Akhtar Road. About Rs1.65 million had been spent on three such high mask poles. Speaking on the occasion, MPA Faisal Sabzwari said they would continue to work for the city and the province. All those development schemes, which were ignored in the past, would be implemented.

Earlier, the Nazim of UC-8, Yasin Nagori, apprised the adviser about the area problems and said that development schemes worth over Rs40 million had been carried out in the area.

These included improvement of water and sewerage system, construction and repair of roads etc. He said that supply of potable water had been ensured after 25 years in the area's katchi abadis of Madina, Zia-ul-Huq and Rahmatia colonies. -APP