KARACHI, Aug 2: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has said that use of mosques and seminaries would not be allowed as a political platform and it is improper to use ‘Khutba” for political campaigning.

He was talking to newsmen after the unveiling ceremony of the Garden Road-Manghopir Road corridor here on Tuesday.

The governor said policy of the provincial government regarding foreign students studying in semenaries is the same as that of the federal government.

He reiterated that local bodies elections will be held in a peaceful atmosphere. He said army has not been called to supervise the elections which would be the responsibility of police and rangers. However, army will remain there for backup support, a practice exercised in the past also.

He said the code of conduct of the Election Commission is being enforced.

Referring to development projects, Mr Ibad pointed out that the government is working on long term projects while ADP schemes are also under implementation.

He said the schemes started by the City Government should have been completed by now. However, work on these schemes has now been geared up.

To a question regarding cleanliness in the city, the governor said thousands of tons of garbage had been lifted. The garbage dumps have been cleared and DCO Karachi himself had been monitoring the situation.

“A change is visible now and positive effects of sanitation campaign can be seen”, the governor observed and said this drive would continue and he would personally keep on monitoring its progress.

Earlier, the governor was briefed about details of Garden Road-Manghopir Road corridor via Kandawala Building to Bara Board project.

Advisor on Local Government Waseem Akhtar, Advisor on Information Salahuddin Hyder, DCO Fazlur Rehman and other officials were also present.

The governor was informed that this project of 6.4 km long road, is part of Taameer-i-Karachi programme and is being executed by the City Government at a cost of Rs 198.87 million. The work was started in July and is to be completed by January 2007.

pumping station: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has directed that Jamila Street Pumping Station which was constructed in 1885 be made functional immediately and new pumping machines be installed by August 15.

He issued these directive during a surprise visit to the pumping station on Monday evening.

Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Local Government Waseem Akhtar, CDGK caretaker Fazlur Rehman, MPA Aziz Bantwa, Additional Secretary Aftab Khatri and other officials accompanied the governor.

After visiting the pumping station and issuing necessary instructions to concerned officials, the governor told journalists that this pumping station was built in British era keeping in view the requirements of those days.

Now, he said, population has grown manifold and when pumping station stops functioning, it causes great inconvenience and hardships to people of Saddar, Jamshed and Lyari Towns.

He said when this issue came up before him two to three months back, he had ordered replacement of pumps. These have been imported from Germany and are about to arrive in Pakistan.

Noting that power supply to the pumping station has been disconnected, the governor said he has ordered its operation with the help of generators.

He said funds are no problem. The problem is non-realisation of responsibility on the part of officials. They shift responsibility on each other and people are made to suffer as a result.

The government, he made it clear, is committed to change this culture and no negligence will be tolerated.

Earlier, the governor walked through sewage and inspected the pumping station. He also met the area people.

Clean buildings: Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ibad Khan has directed the Karachi Building Control Authority and other concerned officials of the City Government to ensure steps for proper painting and maintaining cleanliness of exterior of buildings.

He particularly emphasised upon the need for beautification and attractiveness of buildings on main roads, particularly highrises.

He said work is being done in various sectors to bring Karachi at par with the world’s modern cities with a new and better vision.

In this regard, the promotion of civilised traditions are most imperative, he added.

The governor made it clear that bad looking billboards are being removed only to signifying the scenic beauty of the city.

He directed that owners of buildings be contacted and an awareness be created in them for giving a better look to the exterior of buildings.

—APP