KARACHI: Newly-appointed Administrator of the city’s municipal administration Laeeq Ahmed and Karachi Commissioner Navid Ahmed Shaikh took charge of their respective offices, replacing Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, who held both positions.

Mr Ahmed, a BS-20 officer, was previously posted as excise, taxation and narcotics secretary. He had also served as administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation in 2016.

After taking charge as administrator, he met officers of the KMC’s different departments. The KMC metropolitan commissioner was also present.

Arrangements for Christmas reviewed

Mr Ahmed said that currently the KMC had to cope with several issues and challenges, asking the officials to concentrate on work so that the people understood that their issues were being resolved. “The departmental heads should perform their responsibilities,” he said.

The administrator said the people wanted resolution of their issues. “Besides concerned works, the officers would be tasked with special assignments and I will be available round the clock for betterment of the city,” he added.

He directed his subordinates to make the dilapidated roads motorable and stop felling of trees. He also passed directives to the KMC’s parks and horticulture department for plantation, saying that the department had adequate resources.

The administrator warned that those officials who showed lethargic attitude would be removed from their positions. “The officers who work at grassroots level are aware of the local issues,” he said and asked the officials to give suggestions for the city’s betterment.

He said the city’s municipal administration was responsible for providing civic facilities to the people. He said that issues would surely be resolved if works were carried out with good intention.

Karachi commissioner

After taking charge of his office, Commissioner Navid Ahmed Shaikh on Monday presided over a meeting to review arrangements for Christmas celebrations.

He directed the officials concerned to provide foolproof security around the churches and carry out a special cleanliness drive on the occasion of the religious festival.

The meeting was attended among others by MPA Anthony Navid, administrator Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi Father Saleh Diego and relevant officials.

It was decided at the meeting that foolproof security arrangements for the provision of civic facilities, including streetlights, would be made.

The commissioner directed the K-Electric to ensure that uninterrupted electricity was supplied to the churches during the festival.

Mr Shaikh directed the deputy commissioners to hold meetings with the officials concerned and representatives of the Christian community to review the arrangements in light of the decisions taken at the meeting.

He also directed all the deputy commissioners to ensure that streetlights were in working condition.

It was also decided that special steps would be taken for the smooth flow of traffic. The deputy commissioners were also asked to keep close liaison with representatives of the Christian community with regard to the facilities to be provided to the churches and the Christian neighbourhoods.

The commissioner directed them to establish complaint centres at their respective offices to redress complaints of immediate nature.

It was also decided at the meeting that Commissioner Office control room number 02199205634 would also serve as a complaint centre.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2020