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KARACHI, July 17: A new passport branch office will soon start functioning in Malir Town. It will facilitate the residents of Shah Faisal, Landhi, Gadap and Bin Qasim towns and adjoining areas, besides Malir Town. A piece of land has been provided in the town office for this purpose.
Town Nazim Ansar Ahmed Shaikh signed an agreement with the Director Passports (South) Khair Mohammed and In-charge Immigration and Passports Khalid Zuberi in this regard.
The director passports said all preparations had been made for opening the office and it would start functioning soon, for which the required staff, headed by an assistant director, would be appointed.
Earlier the people of the above-mentioned areas had to go to Saddar or Awami Markaz to obtain passports.
Fumigation drive awaited
Despite announcements of the launching of fumigation and anti-stray dog drives in the city, many areas of Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town have yet to witness these drives.
After the recent rains the fast breeding of flies and mosquitoes has created the threat of the spread of malaria, dengue fever and other diseases, especially in UC 6, 7 and Gulistan-i-Jauhar. But the health department of the city government and the local town administration have failed to take effective steps in this regard.
Stray dogs can be seen roaming the streets, terrifying people, particularly children. Some of these dogs are rabid, and pose a serious threat to the people.
Faryal Najeeb, a resident of Gulistan-i-Jauhar, complained that the streetlights in her locality were out of order, and residents found it hard to go outdoors in the evening due to the darkness and stray dogs.
People living in Mausamiat, Safoora Chowk, Pehlwan Goth, Rabia City and other areas said the town administration did not seem interested in replacing the faulty streetlights and launching fumigation and anti-stray dog drives in their areas.
They demanded of the Sindh governor, chief minister, city nazim, town nazim and other relevant authorities to take notice of the situation and order fumigation and anti-stray dog drives in the areas.
Illegal shops razed in Korangi
The anti-encroachment department of Korangi Town on Tuesday razed three shops — a PCO, LPG cylinders shop and clinic — illegally constructed at the Old KMC Bus Stop, Korangi No 4.
The DTO land, along with staff and heavy machinery, razed the structures, as they were creating hurdles in the construction work of 12,000 Road.
After the demolition, Town Nazim Mohammad Arif Khan visited the area and said action against illegal encroachments would continue till their complete elimination.
The land department staff served notices to encroachers from Vita Chowrangi to Murtaza Chowk, warning them to remove all illegal structures on a voluntary basis within three days; otherwise their articles would be confiscated.
Meanwhile, Site Town Naib Nazim Syed Badshah Khan has directed the relevant officials to continue the operation against encroachments in their respective areas and accept no pressure in this regard.
He said this while presiding over a meeting at his office on Tuesday to review the progress of the operation in UC 1 and 2.
He said the operation should be expedited and all encroachments, including push carts and stalls on government land, should be removed.
—APP/PPI
