KARACHI, May 3: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide technical help to the city government for various uplift projects and to help enhance the efficiency of its experts. A delegation of the ADB called on the City Nazim, Niamatullah Khan, in his office on Tuesday in this regard.

Talking to the delegation, Mr Niamat said that keeping in mind the long-term future needs of Karachi, the city government was ready to seek cooperation of international institutions.

He said the supply of potable water, disposal of sewerage, and provision of transport and housing facilities were the basic problems of Karachi, which needed a long-term strategy. He told the delegation that about 25 per cent of the city was occupied by encroachments.

He said that talks were being held with various companies of China and Malaysia to initiate low-cost housing projects in the city to meet the housing needs of citizens.

The city nazim said a project to provide standard civic facilities to the residents of katchi abadies was under review.

Besides, he said that projects of Master Plan, Digital Base Map and GIS were also in progress so that concerned organizations could be made effective in meeting the future requirements of Karachi.

Quoting the estimates of experts, the nazim said the population of the city would touch 25 million in 2020.

On the occasion, the heads of various city government departments briefed the ADB delegation about their projects so that their help could be sought.

The EDO Transport, Dr Tahir Soomro, said that in order to improve transport facilities in the city, a project was planned to widen the scope of the Urban Transport Scheme by using comfortable and large-sized buses.

The EDO Enterprise and Investment, Raeesuddin Piracha, said the city government had chalked out a project to set up a modern park on the pattern of Disney Land at a cost of $100 million.

Besides, a project was also prepared to develop the coastal areas, Mr Piracha said, adding that $300 million would be spent on the development of coasts. A coastal area of 60 kilometres would be improved.

The Director General of Mass Transit, Malik Zaheerul Islam, and EDO Master Plan also briefed the delegation about their respective projects.

Daman-i-Koh: The City Nazim, Niamatullah Khan, has said that a Daman-i-Koh would soon be set up in the North Nazimabad Town on the lines of the Daman-i-Koh in Islamabad.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the city’s 12th model park in Baldia Town on Monday, he said the Daman-i-Koh in North Nazimabad Town would be a great gift for the Karachiites.

He said according to schedule, the city government would set up a model park in every town of Karachi, adding that work on model parks in six remaining towns would be initiated soon.

Mr Niamat said the city government was striving to make Karachi green and a city of lights, adding that parks would not only beautify the surroundings but also provide recreational spots for women and children of nearby areas.

He said time was running fast and uplift works would be carried out at a faster pace during the two remaining months.

Later, the nazim reached the New Saeedabad Baldia Town where he laid the foundation stone of 36-feet wide and one kilometre long road, from the Police Complex to the Northern Bypass. The road, to be completed at a cost of Rs4.704 million in three months, will have footpaths on both sides.

He also laid the foundation stone of the Imam Abu Hanifa Road in Mohajir Camp No 7 1/2 in Baldia town.

Speaking there, the nazim said the city government had given all union councils uplift funds of Rs3.4 million each in the first years, and Rs6.4 million in the second and third years, so that they could initiate development works in their respective areas.

He said the basic aim of the new local government was to solve the problems of people at their doorstep and devolve powers to the grassroots level.

Road renamed: The Guru Mandir Chowrangi and the Jehangir Road have been named after late Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai and late Mufti Jamil Khan respectively.

The City Nazim, Niamatullah Khan, unveiled the plaques of the new names. He then said the message of the Holy Quran and the Uswa-i-Hasna (SAW) were the needs of the hour.

Niamat said that religious madaris and ulema had played a cardinal role in the Pakistan Movement.

The Mohtamam of Jamia Binori, Dr Abdul Razak Sikandar, thanked the city government for naming the places after the ulema.

The Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami Karachi, Dr Mairajul Huda, said Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai and Mufti Jamil Khan would remain alive in their hearts.

Taqiuddin Shamzai, son of late Mufti Shamzai, Town Nazim Jamshed Town Ahmed Kassim Parekh and MPA Nasrullah Shajjee also spoke. — PPI/APP