KARACHI, July 11: The Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, on Monday ordered authorities concerned to gear up the pace of work on ongoing uplift schemes by working round the clock to complete them before their stipulated time. Talking to journalists after a brief visit of the ongoing project of Bagh-i-Ibne Qasim and the coastal belt development project, he said the site of Bagh-i-Ibne Qasim was a historical one, which had been neglected in past. He said he had directed the concerned authorities to develop the bagh within three months keeping in view its historical background.

He informed journalists that the project was aimed at saving the historical status of the place and to save it from the land mafia. Besides, it would be an addition to the recreational spots for Karachiites.

Ibad said the government was developing the seaside and coastal belts as recreational sites for citizens.

He said a plan to set up a food street on the beach way was also under consideration, adding that the Karachi Port Trust was also setting up a food street, which he said was an important and major project.

Responding to a query about paucity of funds for projects, he said projects enjoyed top government priority and there would be no paucity of funds for them. He assured that these projects would be opened for the general public after completion.

Regarding ongoing projects initiated by the former city government, he said these would be completed on priority basis, adding that the Adviser on Local Government, Waseem Akhtar, was personally visiting them to see that work on them was expedited.

He expressed satisfaction over the performance of city government Caretaker Fazalur Rehman and EDO Parks and Horticulture.

About his meeting with industrialists of the province on Monday at the Governor’s House, he said he had held a marathon session with them to review implementation of decisions taken in the previous meeting.

He said the industrialists had proposed various suggestions for solution to their problems and for boosting development activities in construction and other sectors.

To a query, he said the government was chalking out a comprehensive plan to develop the coastal belt of Sindh on international standards.

He pointed out that multiple ownership of land by various agencies on the coastal belt was the main hurdle in this regard, but the government had decided to bring all lands in the coastal areas under one umbrella.—PPI