KARACHI, July 6: The Adviser to Chief Minister on Local Government, Waseem Akhtar, said the former city government had failed to rid the city of problems, nor could it fulfil its responsibilities. However, he said steps had been initiated to tackle the situation during and after the rains and related problems. He was addressing a press conference at Civic Centre on Wednesday. The Caretaker of city government, Fazalur Rehman, was also present.

The adviser said steps had been initiated beforehand to deal with any rain emergency, adding he had discussed the plan with the concerned officials and issued necessary instructions to them.

The emergency plan envisages the establishment of relief and medical camps and complaint centres whereas cleaning of stormwater drains had already started along with anti-malarial sprays.

Mr Akhtar said instructions had been issued to keep the fleets of ambulances ready. Meanwhile illegal and dilapidated signboards would be pulled down.

He said effort would be made to ensure that a minimum number of employees were allowed leave while relief measures would be taken on war footing.

Replying to questions, the Caretaker city government, Fazalur Rehman, said instructions had been issued for carrying out anti-malarial and anti-flies spray in the city.

Earlier, Mr Akhtar chaired a meeting of TMOs and EDOs of all towns. They later were warned that they would be held responsible if complaints were received during rains or people failed to get relief.

He called for preparation of a traffic plan for the coming rainy season.

He said the rain emergency would remain in force for the next two months.

He also made it clear that there would be no act of victimisation against contractors.

A report about fire brigade vehicles was sought by the local government adviser.

He called for the report after his attention was drawn to the disappearance of over two dozen fire engines during the press conference.

The city government Caretaker, Fazalur Rehman, clarified that the city government had 20 vehicles in good condition while one more engine had been brought from Ghotki.

The adviser said that one of fire engine of the city was in Ghotki for the last two years.

To a query as to how the number of fire engines had reduced from 72 to mere 20, the Chief Fire Officer informed that 20 vehicles were auctioned.

Mr Fazal clarified that out of the 50 fire engines imported from Spain, the city government had received 45.

He said order had been issued for repair of 25 fire engines while 20 were in use further informing that 22 new fire engines were being purchased.

Mr Akhtar later paid a visit to the city government’s helpline ‘134’ and met the staff deputed there.—APP