KARACHI, June 27: The City Council on Monday approved ‘commercial status’ for four major roads of the city, including Khayaban-i-Saadi, Khayaban-i-Roomi, Nishtar Road and Alamgir Road, while a proposal for renaming a few other roads was sent to the commercialization committee after objections by a few members. As many as 10 members opposed the resolution regarding granting commercial status, but the same was approved by the house.

The members also protested over unannounced power breakdowns and non-provision of water to many areas of the city. They slammed the KWSB and the KESC.

They also expressed concern over law and order situation in the city and demanded removal of the Sindh government.

The meeting was held with City Naib Nazim Tariq Hasan in the chair at the City Council Hall, M A Jinnah Road.

A council member Abdul Razaq Siddique said water had become a major issue in the city and it had became difficult for elected nazims, MPAs and MNAs to escape public attacks at their homes.

“None of high officiasl are attending sessions of the city council to hear public grievances,” he said.

Siddique Rathore said power failure problem was equally important as electricity remains suspended in many areas for 10 to 12 hours, multiplying sufferings of the people, especially patients.

“KESC management is arresting consumers on account of delay in clearing their dues and they are subjected to torture at police stations. On the other hand, Rangers are selling water and have occupied various places in the city, while the poor people were not being provided water free of cost within five to 10 hours of a complaint. The City Council should take action on this situation,” he urged.

Ghulam Akbar Lasi suggested that if water board was not part of the city government, then its budget should not be approved by the city council.

“It seems that the city government is helpless before these civic agencies. Citizens want to get their problems resolved and there is no benefit of flyovers, roads and bridges without giving a relief to people,” he argued.

Abdul Razaq Sajid condemned the killing of Mufti Atiqur Rehman and accused the Sindh government of patronizing groups which were involved in creating law and order situation in the city.

“If the federal government decides to hold polls in this situation in Sindh, it will be a wrong decision. Local bodies’ elections be held under a caretaker governor,” he suggested.

Haq Parast member Asif Siddiqui alleged that people ‘begging for power’ were involved in killings and creating law and order situation in the city.

Najmi Alam said the KWSB MD had no administrative control over officers.

“The provincial government is responsible for law and order situation in the city. The home minister should tender resignation over poor law and order situation and recent killings in Karachi. A judicial inquiry be initiated to check killings in the city,” he demanded.

Riaz Tabbasum said water shortage problem would remain unresolved until completion of the K-3 project, which was supposed to supply 100 million gallon extra water to the city.

Muslim Pervez, Mehfooz-ul-Nabi, Saeed Ghani, Shamim Mumtaz Wasi, Nazeer Sajid, Abdul Rasheed Baig, Nasir Dawood Verani, Rehman Gul and Raana Khan advocate also participated in the debate.

Naib Nazim Tariq Hasan gave a 15-minute break for Maghreb prayers, but after prayers the meeting had to be adjourned till Tuesday due to lack of quorum.

There was no debate on a point of the agenda regarding amendments to land utilization laws and approval of devolved social services programme for health department. The council would hold a debate on these points in its meeting on July 4.

—PPI