KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has launched a Blue Jacket Movement (BJM) to create awareness in the people by demonstrating cleanliness work practically. This special initiative, launched on Wednesday night at Teen Talwar with the slogan ‘Say no to open littering’, would be worked out in phases starting in district South, to be followed in other districts in the next phase.

The ceremony held to launch the BJM was attended by provincial Information Minister Saeed Ghani, CM Adviser on Environment Murtaza Wahab, Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani, Culture Secretary Parvez Sahar, South DIG Sharjeel Kharal, DC South Saeed Salahuddin and a large number of leading film and TV actors and members of civil society.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the government was an executing agency but the citizens had the responsibility to demonstrate civic sense and keep their homes, compounds, mohallas, vicinity and the city at large clean by disposing of the trash wrapped in paper bags into dustbins and also monitor the sweeping of streets, lifting of trash and garbage work being done by the DMCs and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board. In case of failure of the DMCs concerned and the SSWMB, complaints may be lodged in their offices.

He also spoke about establishing a separate desk in the CM House Complaint Cell where complaints regarding lack of sweeping and lifting of trash would be registered.

600 volunteers, actors and civil society members pledge to support the Blue Jacket Movement

Mr Shah said that Murtaza Wahab had discussed the concept of the BJM with him which he approved and directed him to start it in district South and then it would be taken to other districts of Karachi, Hyderabad and all over Sindh. He said: “Cleanliness is one of the pillars of Islam and being a Muslim society it becomes our utmost responsibility to keep ourselves clean and keep the areas where we live clean and paak.”

Elaborating on the concept of the BJM, he said “We would select areas to make models in terms of cleanliness and beautification. The volunteers of the movement would work in their designated areas.”

The chief minister deplored that his opponents were propagating that the government was not taking ownership of the city, but “We have proved that we have already given ownership to the city of the Father of the Nation by launching development projects, widening its roads, redesigning its drainage system, dewatering the inundated areas and now have involved district administration in the garbage-lifting work,” he said and urged every individual to own this city and fulfil their responsibility by keeping it clean.

600 volunteers registered

Speaking on the occasion, Information Minister Saeed Ghani said that some 600 volunteers had got themselves registered in the BJM. “This shows that people want to work for the betterment of the city, but we have to just guide them, encourage them and have to work with them,” he added.

He said: “This city not only belongs to any individual, political party or group but it belongs to each and every one of us and we have to own it and have to play the role of its owner.”

Commissioner Shallwani, appreciating the initiative, vowed to help make it a success by giving his maximum support to its volunteers.

Earlier, DC South Saeed Salahuddin briefed the chief minister on the aims of the BJM.

Offal lifting

Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, through a comprehensive report, informed the chief minister about lifting of offal from Aug 12 to 14.

The report issued by Local Government Secretary Khalid Hyder said that during the last three days offal had been lifted in all districts of Sindh.

The CM also issued directives to start fumigation all over Sindh so that spread of malaria and other diseases could be stopped. He appreciated all the local bodies, water boards, divisional and district administration, police and other civic agencies for working round the clock during heavy rains in Hyderabad and Karachi divisions. “You could not celebrate Eid with your families and kept serving in the field for which your spirit and dedication is highly appreciated,” Mr Shah said.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2019