KARACHI, May 18: As many as 12 council members of Lyari Town boycotted the press conference that was addressed by City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, held at the municipal office in Chawkiwara on Thursday, in protest against inadequate seating arrangement.

As soon as the city nazim started briefing newsmen about the multi-million project for Lyari Town, nearly a dozen councillors, led by Yaseen Baloch, left the venue of the press conference, saying they could no more stay there and endure insult. He was followed by some other councillors.

Yaseen Baloch criticized the council’s executive for not making proper seating arrangements for UC councillors, complaining that they were embarrassed. Later, a statement regarding their protest was circulated among the newsmen. It was signed by the 12 councillors.

The city nazim, however, continued with his press conference, though he was interrupted when he remarked that some elements had been creating obstacles in the execution of the uplift work and demanding ‘protection money’. Because of the intimidation, he said, the officials of the city government appeared reluctant to work in Lyari. They fear being manhandled, the nazim said.

The nazim’s remarks also infuriated some people among the audience who stood up and raised slogans against the concerned executive engineer of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board. A women councillor shouted at the KWSB engineer who was present on the occasion, saying that he was responsible for the water crisis prevailing in Lyari Town.

She complained that KWSB official were involved in diverting the water meant for residential areas to certain commercial establishments in the locality. Some other councillors supported her stance. A chaotic situation prevailed until the city nazim left the venue.

Later, the city nazim and town nazim went to the TMO’s office upstairs and the security staff locked the door, denying newsmen access to those inside. However, on the insistence of newsmen, they were allowed to meet the city nazim.