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KARACHI: Taking notice of media reports after mounting criticism of the gaping gutters and potholes in the metropolis, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has ordered local administration to take immediate action in order to improve the state of Karachi roads, his spokesman said Wednesday.
"Is sealing gutters also my job?" an infuriated Shah asked his administration after a group of Karachi citizens took the unconventional approach of painting the chief minister's face near gutters and piles of heap on major roads of the city in a bid to attract his attention.
Sources in the provincial government said the Sindh CM lambasted the secretary of local government as well as Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) officials for the poor state of Karachi roads.
Know more: These Karachiites have a message for Sindh chief minister
The chief minister ordered the local administration to cover all manholes in the city within two days "or face strict action", they said.
He expressed displeasure that despite getting extra funds besides the budget, KMC had not been able to maintain roads.
Shah warned that a Chief Minister's Inspection Team will tour roads in Karachi after two days for inspection, and will submit to a him a report on the action taken by local authorities to level roads.
As part of the Ideas are Bulletproof campaign, a group of Karachi citizens this past week spray-painted the portrait of Sindh CM on major roads of the metropolis, which invoke the ire of thousands everyday due to their derelict condition.
With the chief minister's face drawn next to gaping potholes, ditches and heaps of piles on the side of Karachi's much-travelled University Road, the aim of the project was to attract the authorities attention towards the issues that affect the common man in the city, Alamgir Khan, who led the campaign, earlier told Dawn.com.
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On DawnNews
Comments (112) Closed
Jan 06, 2016 02:40pm
well done Alamgir Khan.
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Jan 06, 2016 02:41pm
I love it & its working. Sometime you have to resort to unconventional tactics to get things done.
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Jan 06, 2016 02:43pm
Good job. I am refering to the campaign, not the CM.
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Jan 06, 2016 02:45pm
No mr cm its citizens's job to cover manholes and administer karachi by themselves.
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Jan 06, 2016 02:45pm
Then what is your job exactly?
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Jan 06, 2016 02:50pm
So what is your Job??? The protest is very meaningful and courage to do WORK. Why u dont visit karachi and see/feel the issue.There is cleaning , discipline and no law from Highway to Port. Living worst like Jungle.
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Jan 06, 2016 02:53pm
What if the administration response by the which you don't, Mr. Shah. Then the work will be done.
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Jan 06, 2016 02:53pm
At least Mr. CM realize that he has some job to do apart from sleeping , Hats Off Alamgir Khan
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Jan 06, 2016 02:54pm
Hope he takes the same action for Shikarpur, and other small cities in Sindh.
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Jan 06, 2016 02:54pm
A good for nothing CM...... I think it should be done everywhere in Karachi or sindh coz this guys doesnt know what hes doing....... keep him awake
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Jan 06, 2016 02:54pm
good job by citizens. PPP and MQM's corruption and poor performance is Sindh is creating misery for all of us.
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Jan 06, 2016 02:56pm
As the captain of the team you got the responsibility to answer on poor performance of your team.
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Jan 06, 2016 02:58pm
Why like this, that the government taking notice after highlighting from the public what the concerned Government departments doing??????? They notice should give to the concerned department, not to take.
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Jan 06, 2016 03:02pm
Go back to slumber CM Shah...this time put a Do Not Disturb sign...
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Jan 06, 2016 03:03pm
Mr. CM even if you are assigned to cover manholes will not be able to do this job as well.
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Jan 06, 2016 03:12pm
If sealing gutters is not his job then whose is it? Isn't he the man on the top?
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Jan 06, 2016 03:14pm
CM just enjoy the protocol , the government luxury at the expense of poor, and sleep well ! . Job ? you don't have time to think of it. You are the King of Sindh. People? Are your slaves. Yes only when election comes wake up to make shore you are elected again!.
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Jan 06, 2016 03:18pm
If the CM was actually 'doing' his job properly, this would have not happened.
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Jan 06, 2016 03:25pm
Bravo Alamgir! The CM and governor are good for nothing men, only holding on to seats they are not qualified for. YES, its their job to rectify the city's miseries and rise to the position they hold!
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Jan 06, 2016 03:26pm
Who is responsible for the worst condition of Roads in Karachi? ? No one is taking responsibility to solve this problem. Number of fatal accidents are increasing day by day.
Almost all the roads in Karachi are ruined. The situation has become serious and causes many accidents and sometimes extensive damage to vehicles. Ministry of road and transportation and KMC are sleeping and not doing anything to improve the poor condition of Roads and enforce the traffic laws. Karachi citizens are paying full vehicle taxes but what are they getting in return? Is it not the right of every citizen to have better roads to drive on?
Frankly speaking there's only one rule and that is "no rules".
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Jan 06, 2016 03:33pm
no he is our cm. respect him people!
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Jan 06, 2016 03:42pm
His job is to defend corruption..
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Jan 06, 2016 03:53pm
Every citizen should join the campaign. Every open manhole and pathole of Karachi should have the image of the CM. It is the best idea to attract the attention of highet authoraties.
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Jan 06, 2016 03:53pm
This should be the only job for this guy!!!
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Jan 06, 2016 03:56pm
so sleepy head just woken up.........
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Jan 06, 2016 04:00pm
WELL DONE MY BROTHER , WE LOVE YOU FOR THIS.
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Jan 06, 2016 04:03pm
I hope somebody takes this initiative in kpk as well.
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Jan 06, 2016 04:03pm
Yes it is!!!!!
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Jan 06, 2016 04:03pm
"Is sealing gutters my job". Mr CM plz tell us what is your job. For the past seven years what have done for this mega city. You did not like ur portrait was painted near open gutters. u r in action to have ur face removed from near gutters and piles of heaps and not really serious to fix the problems.
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Jan 06, 2016 04:14pm
Off course covering manholes is not CM job but getting perks and benefit, protocol and sleeping in meeting is his job!
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Jan 06, 2016 04:18pm
No sealing gutters is not your job....
Ensuring health, spreading education, providing basic facilities, ,building infrastructure, maintaining peace and establishing law & order are also not your jobs....
Than what are you here for?.........!!!
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Jan 06, 2016 04:28pm
Nothing is going to happen. Sindh Govt is used to of paying lipservice
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Jan 06, 2016 04:45pm
Dear CM! everything is your responsibility being head of the province
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Jan 06, 2016 04:46pm
CM asked a question there. He seriously wanted to know whether sealing gutters WAS his job. Bechara!
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Jan 06, 2016 04:53pm
Dear Chief Minister,
Yes, it your responsibility. It your job to go out in the Streets, Roads, Highways, Industrial Areas & Residential Areas to see how well your departments are performing. The potholes, open manholes, debris and garbage on the streets are under municipalities. If the officials of municipalities are not working it your responsibility to remove from their job.
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Jan 06, 2016 04:57pm
Wow well done! Amazing campaign!
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Jan 06, 2016 04:58pm
Yes if you can not manage to o get it done.
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Jan 06, 2016 05:00pm
Well done, Alamgir Khan! I hope this idea catches on.
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Jan 06, 2016 05:20pm
Learn something from shahbaz sharif.
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Jan 06, 2016 05:27pm
So, Apparently he is in charge for around 8 years and don't even know about his JOB ?
Great! this is why Karachi is in such bad shape.
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Jan 06, 2016 05:38pm
Zardari has very aptly put the definition of Democracy when he became the President
The best form of revenge is to exercise democracy in Pakistan, but of course it is slightly different than the traditional democracy i.e. of the "few" people, for the "few" people and by the "few" people. And we all know who these "few" people are....
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Jan 06, 2016 05:42pm
When you think that you deserve to take credit for everything good that happens anywhere in the entire province and that only you should be doing the inaugurations for even a new ward in a hospital built with our money then you are also responsible for everything good that is not happening. Includes covering man holes and garbage dumps etc.
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Jan 06, 2016 05:49pm
Mr. CM, your job is governance and it is this lack of governance that is making things difficult for the common people. If you can just come out of the state where you are spending all of your energies to protect one person and to curtail Rangers' powers then you might be able to do a better job. However, I still have my doubts.
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Jan 06, 2016 05:57pm
CM woken up from his deep slumber...... only to take another one very soon...
Who dared to woke him up.....
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Jan 06, 2016 06:00pm
Yes, of course it is your job, if you can not fix it then leave.
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Jan 06, 2016 06:07pm
If you are CEO of Sindh, anything that risks life of commoners, it is your job to protect.
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Jan 06, 2016 06:26pm
@Atif
MQM's Mustafa Kamal was and is unmatchable. But it was only he and not the whole club of MQM.
What the CM is now doing is also his folly. His Departments, in order to make him happy, will get the manholes closed and the rest of the mess of Karachi will remain unattended. The CM should try to learn lesson from Teheran and make Karachi as attractive as that city.Teheran was maintained so well despite the sanctions they faced from international communities.
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Jan 06, 2016 06:33pm
Rulers are a reflection of our Society.
Similar rulers will be appointed on people as they are.
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Jan 06, 2016 07:10pm
Alas, our leaders have such a short vision, "cover all manholes in the City in two days", . Why can't our leaders prepare and implement a policy and delegate work to keep the city clean every day?
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Jan 06, 2016 07:11pm
Elected members from urban Sind will never be in a position to form their own provincial govt. It will always be based on Waderas of Sind who will get elected from rural areas - how ironic but true.
No matter who wins in cities like Karachi or Hyderabad, it will always be rural Sind who will decide the provincial govt. These Waderas who get elected will never spend a single penny on infrastructure development of urban cities as they DO NOT belong to these cities. They in fact do not invest in their own hometowns either.
Can MQM, PTI or any other party win elections in rural Sind? Not possible in the next 100 years if state of affairs remain the same.
What tragedy has engulfed Sind in the form of Democracy.. Even if you want, you cannot do anything.
We are waiting for the prophesied one to come to the throne who as they say will seal the borders for several days in order to cleanse the Society. It might come in our lifetime otherwise our future generations will witness that era.
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Jan 06, 2016 07:21pm
Thank you MQM! This is the same KMC which is studded with sector & unit incharges of Karachi. For over 20 years both MQM and PPP are politicising almost every single government department they could get hold of. KMC, the former KESC, Police and PIA among few!
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Jan 06, 2016 07:29pm
it's your job to make sure Karachi streets are safe to walk and drive on the sidewalks and streets
May be assign this task to Rangers too.
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Jan 06, 2016 07:30pm
Looking forward to read in Dawn, that the potholes were actually repaired and covered with lids. Cannot take serioiusly any words spoken by CM
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Jan 06, 2016 08:26pm
yes, it is your job as head of province, political & non political.
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Jan 06, 2016 08:28pm
Someone should tell him that it is definitely your job!
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Jan 06, 2016 08:34pm
No qaim ali shah. It is not your job. Your job has got bothing to do with improving the lives of the people of Sindh.
Your kob is looting and plundering Karachi.
I suggest youa buy a house in Peshawar or Lahore. Those cities are decades ahead in terms of development. And getting further ahead by the day.
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Jan 06, 2016 08:44pm
"Is sealing gutters also my job?" an infuriated Shah asked". NO it is not the job or responsibility of a CM, likewise it is also not the responsibility of the then sitting president of Pakistan's responsibility to provide security to individual in Pakistan. Why then Pervaiz Musharraf is accused.
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Jan 06, 2016 08:44pm
Pay attention to your title, you are Chief.. It means everything in the province is your responsibility. That is what makes it a difficult job. If you find it hard let some one else do it, you may not be capable of it.
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Jan 06, 2016 09:06pm
Yes Sir it is ! If not your job certainly your responsibility.
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Jan 06, 2016 09:13pm
Since you are not allowing LG full powers, ofcourse it's now your responsibility to look for better sanitation,sewerage,water availibility. But you say it's not your responsibility,than plz let the people know what are you doing these days. Remember 2 crores population of Karachi supports Alamgir Khan. Salaam to Alamgir Khan.
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Jan 06, 2016 09:14pm
Gutter covers are always stolen and sold by thieves. We should make them of reinforced concrete to reduce the incentive to steal them. The cast iron has a ready market while concrete lid is of not much value.
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Jan 06, 2016 09:17pm
@A Concerned Citizen . We got experienced now we can only say " Democracy is the worst revenge" Plz Plz go away,and leave us alone.
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Jan 06, 2016 09:34pm
this is amazing , the way protesters sprayed on road shows the protest of the civilized nation. Whereas, the positive notion from Mr. Shah shows the respect for the civilized ppl of Pakistan...
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Jan 06, 2016 09:40pm
It's not your job but it's your responsibility to make sure job has been done.
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Jan 06, 2016 09:45pm
Karachi which generates 70% revenue for the whole country and on top a big metropolitan city deserves that these issues should be resolved. The CM of Sindh should learn from the CM of Punjab.
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Jan 06, 2016 09:56pm
@A Concerned Citizen Spot on brother. What a prefect analysis. That's the reason why urban Sindh has every justification for the demand of separate province. Hence a new province can be created titled as Southern Sindh, which will contain most of the urban areas such as Karachi, Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas.
What we need is support from PML-N, PTI, JI and MQM so that demand could be made unanimously.
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Jan 06, 2016 09:58pm
@faryal He may be a good person in his personal capacity. However, his failure to check on corruption and not serving people of urban Sindh has made him see these days and he has now become a subject of ridicule these days.
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Jan 06, 2016 10:02pm
What a brilliant idea.... salute from India....
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Jan 06, 2016 10:03pm
I suspect this campaign may trigger a larger protest if Sindh government kept everything centralized. It's just a matter of time when MQM will start demanding for powerful local bodies.
PPP need to understand the gravity of situation.
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Jan 06, 2016 10:04pm
Mr. CM, job is to run a responsible government. The buck stops at you. You can't shrug away from your responsiblity.
On a second thought...your jobs is to enjoy trips to Dubai, at tax payer's cost.
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Jan 06, 2016 10:14pm
Making CM portraits on the roads will not change any thing. In the modern society Individuals have more responsibility and Government is not only supposed to cover the man holes, it is the local community's duty. Instead of these abusive tactics, I like to see some better advices and practical solution from individual to the government. PTI and its fans have the history of doing mediocre things and boasting about them with out adding any real value in the society or in the mind of the masses.
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Jan 06, 2016 10:41pm
Yes as they can be a danger to the general public while spitting out unclean environment.
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Jan 06, 2016 11:16pm
Making CM portraits on the roads will not change any thing. In the modern society Individuals have more responsibility and Government is not only supposed to cover the main holes, it is the local community's duty. Instead of these abusive tactics, I like to see some better advices and practical solution from individual to the government. PTI and its fans have the history of doing mediocre things and boasting about them with out adding any real value in the society or in the mind of the masses.
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Jan 06, 2016 11:23pm
It is the job of CM to take care of Karachi. What is he being paid to do. He needs to outline his duties. He cannot survive by doping and sleeping all the time.
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Jan 06, 2016 11:39pm
Cover all the manholes in TWO days. Wow. Now we know what it takes to wake up the CM.
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Jan 06, 2016 11:59pm
The CM is not competent. He does not have to Seal Gutters but he has the power and authority to instruct his subordinates for immediate action on all such matters. If he cannot do this then he should immediately resign and hang his head in shame.
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Jan 07, 2016 12:07am
thanks Alamgir khan. you are the man.
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Jan 07, 2016 12:29am
Of course, you just changed the commissioner, must be able to ask them to care for Karachi.
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Jan 07, 2016 12:35am
@salman Dasti What modern society are you talking about? It was prehistoric societies that had no concern for their citizens and considered them slaves whose only purpose was to serve the ruling family. And that is exactly the mentality of the current PPP rulers of Sindh.
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Jan 07, 2016 12:46am
well done Alamgir!!.. remind this man of his job
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Jan 07, 2016 12:56am
Where are those now who were very pessimistic with Alamgir's approach and also few made a hue and cry for his brilliant idea to get the work done. Its been getting done now! Congratulations to Alamgir and victory for Karchitte.
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Jan 07, 2016 01:04am
Yes Sir , atleast do something for the people !
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Jan 07, 2016 01:07am
@Salma Shabbir not anymore I guess now under 24/7 media and social media compaign for corrections! Its not the time of 70s or 80s when masses had no voice.
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Jan 07, 2016 01:14am
We need more of the kind of spirit and dedication of Mr. Alamgir Khan to the cause of Karachi and Pakistan at large. I think his initiative can go a long way. He should go to colleges and offices and dare and invite people to join his movement. Way to go!
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Jan 07, 2016 01:23am
@Democracy is the best revenge What demanding, could not demand for the last 35 years! MQM shall go street wise protest for the betterment of Karachitte if its sincere to serve Karachi...its as simple as this! Unfortunately, MQM likewise PPP has so far completely failed in the development of Karachi...in fact MQM along with PPP has ensured that Karachi to go down for eductioan quality, health, security etc...on daily basis.
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Jan 07, 2016 02:10am
No sir. You don't have a job. You just exist to compound everyone's misery.
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Jan 07, 2016 02:18am
I strongly recommend, citizen of Karachi (Karachiites) must stood up against enormous injustice that has been spelled on them by this utterly corrupt PPP government. Karachi needs water,sanitation,electricity,transport,education (more colleges and universities),housing, job opportunities for the local highly educated youths and above all peace. Bravo Alamgir Khan. Hats off to you !
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Jan 07, 2016 02:27am
Is sealing them your job? No it is not. Is making sure that the people who are supposed to seal them do their job your job? Yes it is!
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Jan 07, 2016 02:40am
If you do this one job I will personally work for your re election. Free of charge.
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Jan 07, 2016 02:50am
only Alamgir Khan was able to judge the true potential of Mr CM.
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Jan 07, 2016 02:56am
Excellent work Mr Alamgir.
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Jan 07, 2016 05:55am
Good Job Karachi Citizens Foundation. See the difference between CM of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif whose pictures are mainly on Billboard right next to the works he is doing and people respect him for that, and compare that to CM of Sindh Qaim Ali Shah's picture next to the gutters, for the respect he getting for ignoring his job. This is the awakening process. Long Live Karachi's Citizens Foundation for waking up. A lot more needs to be done, citizens of a city and Province need to take action, and keep the city vibrant and remind their elected officials that if they slumber and sleep all day, they will have a replacement soon in shape of someone who is willing to work hard for the people who elect them to do their job.
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Jan 07, 2016 06:28am
No sirji, your job is only to leave the gutters as it is and stink the whole town. When will these arrogant good for nothing South Asian politicians be kicked out?
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Jan 07, 2016 06:33am
look back to the build up of pakistan who were the poeples' that were given the job or contract of gutters
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Jan 07, 2016 06:46am
Meanwhile karachiites are busy cursing cm punjab and his schemes...
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Jan 07, 2016 07:00am
The CM, QayamAli Shah is making us believe as if he did not know what is going on around the most productive and populous city of Karachi.
I think the CM neither reads Daily News Papers, nor do his staff members to go through Articles, Columns, Cartoons appearing in many of them, that speak for itself the number of accidents or mishaps taking place everyday, resulting in death and destruction of the helpless people of Karachi City, on account of such open manholes, piles of garbage etc.
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Jan 07, 2016 07:00am
BRAVO-AWESOME-EXCELLENT IDEA--
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Jan 07, 2016 07:41am
Can some one please find out the Karachites pay to Sindh Excise department in taxes for Car Registration and renewal every year.My guess is 2 million cars Multiply by Rs 5000 annually per car.This amount come to Rs 10 billion per annum.Where does this money go as it is supposed to be spend on Road maintenence and making of new roads.Now it is time to check or we need stickers of the CM on each car for repairs of potholes found everywhere in Karachi.
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Jan 07, 2016 08:03am
No sir -- your MAIN job is providing opportunities to people and wipe out corruption and crime.
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Jan 07, 2016 08:39am
ask MQM not CM
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Jan 07, 2016 08:56am
Now it is time for our CM to act honestly or we need stickers of the CM on each car for repairs of potholes found everywhere in Karachi. Sindh Excise Deptt collects more than Rs 10 billion annually from Karachi Car's owners as per fair estimate.
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Jan 07, 2016 09:27am
what else you can do ?
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Jan 07, 2016 09:36am
No CM saheb, it is not your job. It is the only job you can probably do .
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Jan 07, 2016 09:48am
If an audit is carried out by honest auditors or military auditors they will find out that millions and millions may have been gone into pockets of corrupt officials n politicians on account of maintenance of roads, manholes, sanitation and other public utility services. Both the parties ruling Karachi for so long are responsible for the ruin of Karachi and for politicizing and criminalizing the police KMC, KDA, and almost each and every department and organization under their influence, by installing their loyal comrades and jialas into the same. But who cares?
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Jan 07, 2016 10:00am
CM is Zardari's favorite person. Now you can have an idea about his capabilities and character.
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Jan 07, 2016 10:03am
Yes this is your job because you get paid from people taxes. Own your job and the country, don't play with it.
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Jan 07, 2016 10:16am
if any one get chance to see the road from quaidabad to steel mill, you will literally cry on fate of people of mallir karachi
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Jan 07, 2016 01:01pm
Please also start painting Major ruling party leader's pictures too. Those leaders are responsible for their members and administration
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Jan 07, 2016 01:03pm
Please start painting both PPP and MQM leaders this way both will start working
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Jan 07, 2016 05:30pm
@Logger Head but why people forget his all good pans he had done in the past ?
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Jan 08, 2016 09:28am
yes mr chief minister sahib, sealing gutters is also 'your' job!
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Jan 08, 2016 03:05pm
No sir,
Your job is only to ensure that your absentee boss remains HAPPY. Provision of civic amenities is certainly not the job of the government. Maybe the people should ask the ailing Saint Abdus Sattar Eidhi.
Please continue to remain on your HIGH (horse)
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