21 January 2005	Friday	10 Zilhaj 1425

KARACHI, Jan 20: Acting City Nazim Tariq Hasan said on Thursday that City Nazim Niamatullah Khan was an honest person who awarded all contracts and tenders for the construction of roads, bridges , parks and other development projects in a transparent and lawful manner.

"All development projects initiated by the city government are legal and the process is corruption-free. I offer my full cooperation to any authority willing to initiate a probe into the charges of anomalies on the part of the city government in this regard,'' he told a press conference in his office.

Mr Hasan said the process of accountability should continue but it ought to be on the basis of merit and regardless of any position or status of any person.

About the ongoing development works, he said that the under-construction track of Rashid Minhas Road (from Aladdin Park to Jauhar Morr) was reopened for Eid holidays Thursday keeping in view the hardship being faced by citizens. The closed track of Habib Ibrahim Rehmatullah Road (Karsaz Road) was also being reopened in a few hours, he added.

The under-construction artery from Rizvia Chowk to Nazimabad roundabout has already been reopened. Regarding Jehangir Road, he said the closed track would be reopened completely before Ashura and after that the work for the reconstruction of its other track would be started.

Mr Hasan stated that he would personally visit different localities with media teams during the Eid holidays to ensuring proper cleanliness operation by the concerned workers of the city government.

"I have also directed the concerned DO to enhance vigilance along Hawkesbay Road and increase the number of lifeguards at beaches on the occasion of Eid.''

The city government is working day and night for development of the city and it will expedite the pace of work in order to end the inconvenience being faced by citizens.

In reply to a question, the acting city nazim said he would ask the EDO Water and Sewerage to look into the complaints about sewage and filth inundating roads and streets in certain areas.

TOWN NAZIMS: Town nazims belonging to the Al-Khidmat Group on Thursday welcomed the move by the Sindh Local Government Commission to seek an inquiry by the National Accountability Bureau, Sindh, into the city government's affairs, saying that it would endorse transparency and honesty of the CDGK authorities.

They, however, demanded that the SLGC should also request the NAB for initiating a probe against the former Karachi mayor, ministers and advisers belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement so that a clear picture could emerge and people could be able to know who was actually involved in corruption.

In a statement, the nazims alleged that the city government's successful efforts to transform Karachi into the city of lights, parks, roads and bridges of international standard was causing worry to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement which was now using all legal and illegal tactics to defame the CDGK and city nazim.-PPI