KARACHI: City council defers debate on Bajaur tragedy
By Latif Baloch
KARACHI, Oct 31: Opposition in the City Council on Tuesday tabled a resolution on the Bajaur situation for debate but it could not be taken up because the house deferred it. The resolution condemned the bombing of innocent people, including teachers and students in Bajaur and termed it an act of genocide and demanded an inquiry into the tragic incident
The resolution, moved by leader of Al-Khidmat Group, was backed by other opposition groups but could not be debated because some leaders insisted on debate on the dengue fever issue.
Convenor Nasreen Jalil sought the views of the house for initiating debate on either of the two subjects. A majority of the treasury members supported the issue of dengue fever.
Rafiq Ahmed of Al-Khidmat tried to convince the house on the urgency and gravity of the situation in Bajaur, saying rulers had endangered the country because of armed intervention by the foreign forces.
He accused the rulers of serving the interests of imperialist forces and putting the solidarity of the country at risk. It was surprising that no other opposition member backed him.
However, before initiating the debate on dengue fever, Niab Nazim Nasreen Jalil who was convening the session presented a condolence resolution on the death of former president of Pakistan Ghulam Ishaq Khan, eulogizing his services for the nation.
Condolence resolutions on the death of renowned poet and intellectual Zial-ul-Haq Qasmi, hockey star Mohammad Qasim, two former city councillors Mohammad Anwar Jokhio and Mohammad Yaqub Kuchi and mother of city councillor Shugfta Abul Halim were also presented.
The house passed these resolutions unanimously and offered Fateha for departed souls. Fateha also offered for the victims of Bajaur bombing victims.
Later, on the request of the Naib Nazim, EDO Health CDGK Athar Das Sanjnani briefed the house about the measures being taken by the city government to combat the virus.
Mr Sanjani told the house that dengue fever cases were recorded in Karachi in 1994 first time and last year 280 cases had been reported.
He said the city government was fully aware of the situation and it’s health department took emergency measures to combat the situation. Consequently, 54 fumigation machines and insecticides in large quantities were purchased and each town had been provided three machines.The EDO health claimed that fumigation had been carried out with the consultation of town nazims. Considering the rising number of cases this year, he said the city government had adopted a four-pronged policy to prevent the virus.
According to him, fumigation had been carried out in residential areas, schools and offices of every town and a health education programme was also launched to create awareness through media.
In addition, free of cost tests were provided in hospitals and in three private hospitals a 50-per cent cut in tests was being provided to patients.
The 50 per cent amount is paid by the patient and the remaining 50 per cent by the CDGK health department within 24 hours.
The EDO health said the city government was collecting necessary data about the virus so that preventive measures could be taken against the virus.
The speech of the EDO was interrupted repeatedly by the opposition members who accused him of misrepresenting facts. Most of them shouted saying no visible fumigation activity had been witnessed in their areas. However, the treasury members claimed that fumigation was done in their localities.
Mr Rafiq asked the EDO to submit the exact figures, specifying areas where fumigation had been carried out.
He said the EDO should fully prepare a document for presenting it in the house.
Councillors from Lyari and Keamari also complained that fumigation drive had not been conducted in the union council areas represented by them.
The EDO tried to convince the opposition, but the opposition refused to accept the government’s claim. On this, the convenor of the house, Nasreen Jalil, intervened. She told the house that if any member had any complaint, he should identify the area where fumigation had not been carried out in the next session. She adjourned the house for Wednesday.
Earlier, leader of House Asif Siddique, Masood Mehmood, Abdul Jalil, Imran and some other councillors from treasury took part in the debate while the opposition was represented by Saeed Ghani, Rafiq Ahmed, Mehbub-ur-Rehman Sheikh.
