KARACHI: No decision yet to ban rickshaws: governor
KARACHI, June 14: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad said here Wednesday that no final decision had been taken to ban rickshaws in Karachi.
However, the concerned authorities have given suggestions for introducing four-stroke vehicles instead of two-stroke so as to reduce pollution.
He said this suggestion can be implemented only gradually and until the associated people get alternate businesses, “this will not be implemented.”
He was presiding over a meeting at Governor’s House in which, among others, the promotion of fisheries also came under consideration.
The governor stressed on initiating coordinated measures for welfare of fishermen and to develop fishing on modern lines.
The meeting was attended by Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed, Planning Minister Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari, Advisor Fisheries Fakir Jadam Mangrio, MNA Abdul Wasim, Wasim Aftab, Secretary Cooperation and other officials.
Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan issued directives for particularly paying attention on matters concerning fisheries sector and called for adopting a coordinated line of action for further improvement.
Meanwhile, Governor Ibad paid a surprise visit to various parts of Karachi on Tuesday night.
During the visit, he took stock of traffic flow, sanitation, restoration of storm-water drains and other civic matters.
He expressed displeasure over accumulation of sewage at certain places and directed the concerned authorities for its immediate disposal.
Taking notice of traffic jam at Mauripur Road, the Governor asked the IG Police to take punitive action against concerned traffic police personnel.
Meanwhile, the National Transport Ittehad (NTI), expressing concern on decision regarding ban on two-stroke rickshaws, termed it unjust.
The National Transport Ittehad leaders said currently there were 52,000 rickshaws on roads and over 180,000 families were earning their livelihood through this business, saying a large number of people would be rendered jobless as unemployment and inflation is touching peaks due to government's poor policies.
The government should review its decision so that transporters could run their business without any fear” he added.
The National Transport Ittehad leaders said if the government was serious in controlling environmental pollution, transporters were willing to cooperate with it and collaborative efforts by the government and transporters can resolve this issue amicably.
They said another meeting of transporters will be held on June 19 to decide future course of action.—PPI
