KARACHI: Concession on leases in old city areas okayed
KARACHI, Jan 13: The City Council Karachi on Thursday approved 40 per cent concession for payment of amount on renewal of lease in old city areas within three months
The council, which met the Naib City Nazim, Tariq Hassan, in the chair adopted a resolution unanimously to facilitate the residents of old city areas. Tariq Hassan, after the approval of the resolution, termed it of much importance as it would give an opportunity to the inhabitants of the old city areas.
However, he made it clear that it should not be considered any exemption, but an amnesty to help area people which would also generate more revenue to the city government.
After quickly disposing of this resolution, members of the council debated much on a resolution, about Aga Khan Education Board and took a strong exception to the establishment of the board, attributing it to damaging the ideological basis of the country.
Shamim Mumtaz Wasi bitterly criticized the setting up of the board and said it was aimed at turning national curriculum on secular and un-Islamic lines. She also disclosed that literature against two-nation theory was distributed in KMC offices a few days back. "What is the motive behind spreading such a material and who distributed it was a matter of concern to all, she added.
She rejected the establishment of the board and demanded of the authorities to refrain from forcing the private boards to get affiliated with the Aga education board.
Abdul Rashid speaking on the issue said establishment of the board was not a matter of worry for any individual, city, province and the country, but for the whole Ummat as changes in curriculum are anti-Islamic.
Jaffarul Hassan said reports of changes in the curriculum are undoubtedly a matter of concern, but there should be an authentic account of the facts. Aga Khan Education board's proposed changes should be produced in the council.
Razzaq Siddique said it would be in the fitness of things to form a committee of the council, which should be mandated to meet the Aga Khan board authorities to get a first-hand information about this issue.However, he questioned the silence of leaders of different groups in the council over the issue. Hafiz Ahmed Ali said any change which would affect the ideological basis of the country would not be accepted at any cost.
The council also adopted a resolution giving approval to all projects and contracts and funds allocated in budgets to facilitate the City Nazim to carry out development projects and authorised him to go with his development plans and sign contracts without any hurdles.
Siddique Rathore, who objected on giving full authority to the City Nazim without any check walked out from the session when he was not permitted to speak.
The resolution also gave approval to all tenders and contracts of UCs given under development funds released to them by city government. It also approved such tenders and contracts by the end of this fiscal year. Likewise, resolution also includes such tenders and contracts of city councillors.
Another resolution, approved unanimously, demanded that no demolition activity in any part of the city be carried without taking into confidence the UC Nazim of the respective areas. -PPI
