KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar said on Monday that uplift works in parts of the city were delayed for nine months due to late release of funds of the Annual Develo­pment Programme (ADP) by the provincial government.

“The pending work of the ongoing schemes is being carried out now after the release for the first quarter,” he said, adding that people were facing hardships due to present state of financial affairs.

He expressed these views while talking to media on a visit to UC 34, Korangi, to inspect the road construction and other allied works.

The mayor said that no money could be spent on uplift works without obtaining the approval of the elected council of the Karachi Metropolitan Corpo­ration (KMC) under the rules.

Mr Akhtar said the development works in that area were being carried out with a cost of Rs20 million which included the 1.5km-long road construction, two culverts on drain and other works. “The drain will also be cleaned and side walls will be constructed,” he added.

Later, speaking as chief guest at a reception held by the Karachi Press Club in honour of senior reporter Tahir Siddiqui, a Dawn staffer, for winning 2nd Karachi Commissioner Mar­at­hon in the veteran category for the second consecutive time, Mayor Akhtar anno­unced that the municipal administration with the collaboration of the KPC would soon organise a 10-km “walk and jog” for general public to promote sports and recreational activities in the city.

He said that a joint committee of the KMC and KPC would be constituted for holding healthy events to create awareness about the benefits of walking and jogging among the masses.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2020