KARACHI: Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed police on Sunday to remove all barriers and containers placed on the roads leading to Seaview to block entry of revellers who wanted to celebrate New Year on the beach.

The direction was given during his surprise visit to various areas of the city where development work was going on. Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro and other senior officers accompanied him.

The chief minister said that he had given clear instruction to the Karachi administration and the police not to harass the people who wanted to visit Seaview beach to celebrate the beginning of New Year.

“My youngsters are responsible enough and they will not create any problem for others. I am urging them to enjoy themselves peacefully and respectfully,” he said.

“Carrying weapons, one-wheeling and creating problems for others will not be tolerated.”

Talking about the issue of sugar cane pricing, he said: “Mills have started crushing due to our efforts. We are now taking measures for protecting the rights of farmers.”

Mr Shah accused the federal government of creating sugar crisis in Sindh.

“Had they not imposed a ban on export of sugar, its stocks would not have piled up in sugar mills’ warehouses and the mills would have been under pressure to start crushing,” he added.

The chief minister asked the inspector general of police to make necessary arrangements for smooth flow of traffic because work on the Rs12 billion Karachi development package phase II had started on a war footing and it may cause inconvenience to the citizens of the city.

He also inspected under construction Submarine underpass and directed the project director that one side of the underpass which was completed be opened to facilitate commuters.

Mr Shah expressed his displeasure during his visit to the Electronics Market in Saddar, where heaps of trash was thrown on roads by shopkeepers, and directed the Karachi commissioner to speak to their association to stop this unhealthy practice, otherwise take strict action against them.

He also expressed his anguish while passing through Shaheed-i-Millat Road where car showroom owners had parked their vehicles on footpaths and directed the commissioner to remove the encroachment.

Some other places which the chief minister visited were Cantt Railway Station, Garden, Tipu Sultan Road, Khalid Bin Waleed Road, Drigh Road, Rashid Minhas Road, University Road and Safoora Chowrangi.

From Safoora, the chief minister went to Saadi Twon and paid a surprise visit to North East Karachi Filtration Plant of 100MGD.

He found the staff concerned absent from their duties.

“I don’t want unwilling workers. If they are reluctant to perform their duties remove them and keep only efficient and responsible staff on the plant,” he said.

Mr Shah told the media that K-III was constructed in 2007-8 without filtration system and were supplying untreated water to the citizens.

“This is their efficiency and now they are making tall claims about serving this city,” he said.

The chief minister directed the East deputy commissioner to deploy three police guards at the NEK Plant for security and keep inspecting the place.

He was then driven to Sunset Boulevard where he inspected ongoing construction of a bridge at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Gizri Boulevard.

The CM directed the traffic police to provide proper alternative routes for traffic.

On the conclusion of his visit, he took breakfast with journalists, who accompanied him, at Boat Basin.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2018