KARACHI, Aug 4: The Adviser to chief minister on Local Government, Waseem Akhtar, has said they wanted to provide relief to the people of Karachi and were making strenuous efforts in that direction.
He said this while talking to journalists after laying the foundation stone of five road schemes in North Karachi on Thursday.
Speaking about the said schemes, he said these were ready for take-off but work on them was kept pending during the previous city government.
He described the leadership of the previous city government as incapable and said they had wasted Rs5 billion development funds in three years.
MPA Bilquees Mukhtar, EDO Works and Services Sarfraz Shah, Caretaker North Karachi Town Saeed Akhtar and caretaker North Nazimabad Town were also present on the occasion.
The EDO Works, Sarfraz Shah, and S.E. Mahmood Baluch gave a detailed briefing to the adviser about the road projects that would cost Rs75 million.
Mr Waseem directed that service roads should also be constructed along with these roads and where there are drains, proper outlets should be provided.
Replying to the questions of journalists, the adviser said they are working with the spirit to serve and did not want the development of Karachi sacrificed at the altar of politics or for vested interests.
He pointed out that these were the projects which had suffered from stalemate because of internal differences in the Al-Khidmat group and were declared as impracticable and dead.
“But we have taken up these schemes and their construction will bring a far reaching change in the area’s look,” he said.
WORLD BANK: Departmental reforms would soon be introduced in civil organizations particularly the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB).
This was stated by Adviser on Local Government, Waseem Akhtar, while talking to a World Bank mission for water and sanitation at his office on Thursday.
Led by Ms Katherine, the delegation met the adviser to hold detailed discussions concerning the water board.
The WB’s objective is to enforce reforms in the water board. It was decided to strengthen its working on modern lines.
The delegation expressed concern over the utilization of funds released by the WB for water supply and drainage during the last few years.
It was decided that a uniform policy would be implemented for the KWSB and other civic organizations including the Karachi Cantonment Board and other stakeholders to ensure proper planning for the city.
According to a decision, the KWSB would be transformed into a model organization, free of politics with transparent working, better utilization of funds, efficient recovery of dues, and introduction of process of accountability.
The adviser announced a committee, which would extend all possible cooperation in improving the performance of concerned staff and officials.
Present in the meeting were Additional Secretary for Local Government Ghulam Arif Khan, DCO Karachi Fazalur Rehman, MD KWSB Brig Iftikhar Haider and EDO E&IP Raisuddin Paracha. — APP
