November 11, 2008	Tuesday	Ziqa'ad 12, 1429

KARACHI, Nov 10: Opposition members in the City Council on Monday attacked the city government for what they described as an illegal change of the status of a piece of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board land worth billions of rupees.

They said the land in Mehmoodabad was originally meant for the construction of a treatment plant. They alleged that the city government planned to use the land for resettlement purposes.

The issue was raised by Leader of the Opposition in the City Council Saeed Ghani on a point of order when treasury members tabled a resolution for applauding the services of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, who has been declared the second best mayor in the world by a US magazine.

Opening the debate on the resolution, Leader of the House Asif Siddiqui lauded the services of the city nazim, saying that during the latter’s tenure the city had witnessed a lot of development work, “which has now been internationally recognized”.

He further said that the work on a record number of projects had been carried out and implemented on time because of “the untiring efforts of the nazim”.

Mr Siddiqui also maintained that the nazim had solved the 30-year-old water supply problem on the islands of Karachi by laying water lines though the sea. He also submitted that the chronic traffic problem faced by the people in the city had also been resolved to a great extent.

While Mr Siddiqui was making his submissions, opposition leader Saeed Ghani stood up on a point of order and drew the attention of the convener, Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, to his earlier statement regarding the status of a KWSB land meant for a treatment plant which, he alleged, was now being used by the city government for resettlement purposes.

In support of his statement, Mr Ghani put up a letter issued by the CDGK on Oct 31, 2008 to the KWSB managing director informing him about the CDGK’s resettlement plan on the land.

(The contents of the letter and a site map were later issued by the opposition leader to the media).

The letter reads: “The high-ups of the CDGK has decided to construct remaining portion of Preedy Street and to resettle affectees of Preedy Street (Lines Area) in the open area available within treatment plant No II, Mehmoodabad, Karachi.”

The letter addressed to the KWSB MD further states: “Accordingly, a proposed plan has been prepared and a copy of the same is hereby forwarded to you for your kind perusal and arrangement for planning and execution of water supply and sewerage system in the aforesaid area.”

Continuing his submissions, the opposition leader said: “We will not allow the distribution of government land illegally” which, he claimed, was worth Rs4 billion.

The opposition leader’s statement caused uproar in the treasury benches.

Taking the floor on a point of order, Masood Mehmood described the statement of the opposition leader as mere allegation aimed at tarnishing the image of the nazim at a time when his services were being recognised by the world.

He questioned the veracity of the document, saying that it should have been circulated to the members. Mr Mahmood was backed by other treasury members.

There was considerable pandemonium in the house as both sides exchanged hot words. Thereupon, the convener intervened and advised the members to maintain the decorum of the house.

She told the opposition leader to submit documentary evidence to her before she could give her ruling on the issue.

However, Mr Ghani insisted that he be allowed to complete his arguments on the issue, which he said were very important. He alleged that the CDGK’s equipment was being used for ground-levelling work on the site and plotting was being made. But the convener ignored Mr Ghani’s arguments. She ruled that she would not allow the members’ time for further arguments, saying that the house had to debate an important resolution.

Reacting to the convener’s remarks, the opposition leader said: “This means I am not being allowed to speak.”

In protest, the opposition members staged a token walkout, but the proceedings continued. Several treasury members, including Mohammad Arshad Qureshi, Dr Nikhat Shakil and Sulaiman Mujahid Baloch, took part in the debate.

Supporting the resolution, they lauded efforts of the city nazim for the development of the city and accused the opposition of trying to tarnish his image by resorting to negative tactics.

Defending the nazim, treasury members said the services rendered by the nazim were unprecedented in the history of Karachi. They said the fact was now being recognised by the world and the opposition should now admit it and shun negative politics.

Later, the opposition members ended their boycott and took part in the debate. Resuming the debate, Juman Darwan said the opposition had no objection to it if the services of any Pakistani were recognised internationally. However, he added, “We want to make it clear that whatever development work has been carried out, it has been confined to 12 or 13 of the 18 towns.”

He alleged that the city government had totally ignored Gadap, Bin Qasim, Lyari and Keamari towns, adding that “We would have applauded the services of the nazim if he had treated these towns evenly in terms of development”.

Opposition leader Rafiq Ahmed also wanted to express his views on the resolution but he was not allowed by the convener. Instead, she put the resolution to the vote which was adopted by majority.

The resolution congratulated the nazim of the city for being declared as the second best mayor of the world and expressed the hope that he would continue his efforts for the development of the city.

The opposition members protested against the ruling of the convener and boycotted the remaining session.

In the absence of the opposition, the house also adopted the departmental re-organisation plan of Saddar Town for the creation of new posts and upgrade of employees under the SLGO rules. The resolution has already been approved by the town council and it was sent to the City Council for formal approval. The resolution was approved unanimously.

The council also unanimously adopted a resolution replacing words “public-private partnership” with “joint venture” in its Resolution 382 relating to the relevant disposal of land rules.

Through another resolution, the council approved an increase in the monthly stipends of internship for midwives in the CDGK maternity homes.

Mahmoud Haroon’s death condoled

At the outset of the session, through a unanimously adopted resolution, the council condoled the death of Mahmoud A. Haroon, a veteran leader of the Pakistan Movement.

The council also condoled the deaths of JI leader Prof Ghafoor Ahmed’s wife and labour councillor Munir Shahnawaz from Shah Faisal Town.

Later, the convener adjourned the session to Nov 13 at 3pm.