KARACHI, July 15: The Nazim Karachi, Naimatulllah Khan, has said that Karachi is the country’s biggest city and its economic backbone, but in the past its law and order was disrupted which affected its economic and social development.

However, conditions have started improving after the formation of the city government.

He was speaking to the visiting World Bank team.

The Nazim complained that departments merged into the city government have not been fully devolved and powers have not been defined.

He said that public opinion about World Bank or Asian Development Bank is negative and the common impression is that the developed countries have their own vested interest behind the grant of loans for maintaining their hegemony over the developing states.

Naimatullah Khan said that in the past loans worth billions of rupees were obtained for various development and other projects, but were not utilized for the purposes they were obtained.

He said that at whatever levels the loans are obtained, it should not hurt our identity and also these should be spent on the already defined purposes.

He reiterated that after the establishment of the city government, the devolution process had not been completely carried out under the SLGO and there were doubts and a confusion on various matters.

He emphasised the necessity of administrative and functional linkage and that powers should be devolved to grass-root level.

The City Nazim said it is surprising that those departments which have been devolved, still have a large number of senior officers of the Sindh government.

He said that the police system is ready for a merger into the City Government. He said until this merger is effected, the City Government is not responsible for law and order because of the non-cooperation of the police.

He said the police are not cooperating at the City, Town and UC levels.

He complained that ministers are carrying out transfers and postings of officials as per their whims which is causing problems for the city government.

He said unless their transfer and posting is given under the CDGK authority, it would be difficult to make them work in a right direction.

Naimatullah Khan said that after the general elections, the interference by the elected representatives and the non-determination of their powers is causing certain problems for the City Government.

Earlier, the Study Group praised the leadership of the City Nazim and apprised the meeting about their viewpoint. They said that 70 per cent councillors, Nazims and Naib Nazims are working in a better and positive manner.

They observed that there had not been a better settlement between the provincial and the city governments which is essential while the Provincial Transition Wing had not performed its responsibilities fully which had resulted in a lacunas regarding staff and determination of powers.

They said that after the merger of various departments into the City Government, there was a need for a united government cadre so that all officers enjoyed equal facilities and the system gains strength.

They pointed out that since there are more responsibilities on the DCO Office, therefore, some powers be transferred to the EDOs.

They observed that the police were not cooperating in the discharge of municipal functions. They said there was a need for a coordinated system for redressal of public grievances.

They underlined the need for administrative changes in the water supply and sewerage systems. They said there was a need for mutual coordination and for change in the old structure.

They pointed out that accounts system had not yet been transferred to the city government and some old organizations, like KDA and KMC, were functioning under the old system which was unnecessary.—APP