KARACHI, June 12: The Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, has stressed the need for chalking out a system envisaging beautiful housing and other facilities in Karachi and other cities of the province. Various projects in this regard came under consideration at a meeting held at the Governor’s House.

The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister P&D Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari, Industries and Transport Minister Adil Siddiqui, Adviser on Local Government Waseem Akhtar, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, Principal Secretary Brig Akhtar Zamin, Chief Controller KBCA Brig A.S. Nasir and others concerned.

Brig A.S. Nasir briefed the governor about details of the proposed plan.

Governor Ibad issued directives for developing satellite towns outside the city, and said it would help lessen the population burden on Karachi.

However, he directed that these towns should be developed in ways causing no problems to their residents while travelling to the city.

He also advised that residents should get all facilities and employment opportunities closer to their towns.

He said such towns and settlements in other parts of the province should also be developed on these very lines so that doctors, teachers and others could live there happily.

Brig Nasir informed that keeping the governor’s vision in view, a four-point programme was under consideration for Karachi. He said towns, equipped with modern facilities, would be developed on 50 acres in big cities and on 25 acres in smaller towns.

He said a programme for 20-storeyed high-rise buildings would be prepared for the coastal area of Clifton as well where floor area ratio would be allowed at 1:9 instead of 1:5.

For water and sewerage facilities, a consortium of builders would be formed to install desalination, purification and filter plants in each block.

Brig Nasir told the meeting that model towns would be established under Malir and Lyari development projects with focus on provision of high standard infrastructure, industries and investment.

He said the name of MDP would be made synonymous with the textile industry where foreign investors would be able to set up textile units.

The LDP would be prepared for promotion of cottage industries and establishment of modern and beautiful showrooms.

He pointed out that Shahbaz Town on the Northern Bypass was the most important project of this vision, which would comprise four big towns and six small colonies. To be developed on 46 acres, it would be reflective of a modern Pakistan.

It would have an international airport, a diplomatic enclave, lake, national safari park, China Town, Maktoom Town, Mahatir Town, Faisal Town, education complex, five-star hotel, jurist enclave, industrial area, builders heaven and builders delight, TV and communication centre, fruits, vegetables and commodities markets, residential blocks for government employees, national mosque, bus terminals and two graveyards.

He said special arrangements would be made there for housing facilities for low income people.

Ibad expressed hope that a line of action would soon be chalked out for implementation of the ambitious plans.

He observed that with the onset of these projects, a large number of job opportunities would become available.—APP