KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that in response to his request the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has given him more time to prepare answers to the questions they sent to him on Sept 17.

He said that NAB authorities had given him a questionnaire on Sept 17 and summoned him for Sept 24 (Tuesday).

“I have seen the questionnaire and it has some questions which required to be answered in the light of the Constitution,” he said, adding that he sent a request to NAB seeking more time so that he could answer all the questions properly and once and for all.

Says he will soon reply to all queries of the anti-graft watchdog

He was talking to media in the early hours of Tuesday in Gulshan-i-Iqbal Block-6, where he along with his cabinet members including Syed Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, Murtaza Wahab had gone to witness the progress of his ongoing ‘Clean My Karachi’ drive.

Mr Shah said that he was thankful to the NAB authorities for granting him more time. “I will submit the answers very soon,” he said.

To a question, the CM said that some unscrupulous elements were trying to fail the cleanliness drive.

“I am not doing all this for my credit but trying to serve the people of this city and helping the local government and civic agencies,” he said. “Politicians of defeated mind are stuffing gutters with sandbags, stones, boulders just to choke them and then make hue and cry against the failure of the drive.”

To another question, the chief minister said that sweepers were most important people and we must respect them. “They are cleaning the trash and we must respect them for the service they are doing for us,” he said and announced that he would enhance their remuneration or would give them extra allowance so that they could lead their lives with ease.

26,000 tonnes garbage lifted in three days

The chief minister said that during the three days of ‘Clean My Karachi’ campaign over 26,000 tonnes of garbage had been lifted and transported to the temporary garbage transfer stations (GTS).

He started his visit from district South and went to the areas of Zoo and Ranchhore Line where he monitored cleaning of a residential plot where people were dumping garbage for the past many years.

During his visit to district East, he witnessed garbage lifting from a playground located behind Aero Club in Gulshan-i-Iqbal Block-6.

In reply to a question about the ground, the chief minister said the place was under litigation.

“I have heard that before turning the ground into a garbage dumping point, children used it as a playground,” he said and added that just after lifting the garbage he would restore it as a playground and would also implement the court decision when announced.”

The chief minister also held an open katchery with residents of the area and had a cup of tea with them at a teashop. He urged the residents to be vigilant and not allow anybody to throw trash in the ground.

From district East, the chief minister drove to Korangi Crossing from where debris and garbage was being lifted. The chief minister directed the deputy commissioner of Korangi not to allow builders to dump their debris at Korangi Crossing.

The CM also visited Bilawal Colony and Nusrat Bhutto Colony from where garbage had been taken away to some extent and the areas were giving a clean look. He also visited a nullah passing through both colonies.

He urged the residents who gathered there to maintain their areas properly. “This is your home and you have to keep it clean,” he told them and directed the deputy commissioner to provide them dustbins so that people throw their trash there.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2019