KARACHI, April 2: Karachi Nazim Mustafa Kamal has said that all under-construction roads in the city will be opened for traffic next week thereby providing commuting facilities to people. He stated this during a visit to development projects on Saturday night. He inspected the pace of progress at the project sites from midnight till Sunday morning.

The nazim visited Kothari Parade and under-construction Beach Park besides various road projects including Garden Road, Nazimabad, Liaquatabad, Gharibabad underpass and New M.A Jinnah Road.

He said that the New M.A. Jinnah Road opposite Islamia College would be opened for traffic next week following which Garden Road and the road to Pak Colony would be opened for traffic.

He said that the objective of inspecting the projects during night hours was to ensure that work on them continues round-the-clock. He said that claims used to be made about round-the-clock work in the past, but in fact it used to remain suspended from 8pm to 9am as a result of which the project used to suffer inordinate delays.

Mr Kamal pointed out that weather conditions in Karachi were such that work during night hours could be carried out fast and in a better manner and, therefore, the work must continue round-the-clock.

He emphasised upon developing a culture of carrying out work during night hours. He said that the officials, contractors and consultants also remained present on the sites because of his night visits, which was a positive change. It would have positive impact on the city and a visible change would be felt very soon, he added.

EDO Works Sarfraz Shah, EDO IT Dr Atardas, senior engineers of water board, contractors, representatives of consultant firms and other concerned officers were present on the occasion. doctors suspended: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal paid a surprise visit to Spencer’s Eye Hospital of city government late Saturday night.

He ordered immediate suspension of three doctors Khalid Mahmood, Hamid Inam and Jabbar for being absent from their duties and issued show cause notices to Medical Superintendent Dr Sultan and EDO Health Dr Khalid Shaikh.

The nazim warned that such people would not be tolerated who showed negligence.

Taking notice of a report about the pathetic condition of Spencer Eye Hospital, the nazim directed that DCO Fazlur Rehman should be included in the committee already set up for the development of hospital and asked it to inquire into the matter and submit a report within a week.

The nazim had earlier received a report that Spencer’s Eye Hospital was once Asia’s best hospital and cornea transplantation in Pakistan had started from this hospital. The report stated that the hospital used to provide glasses and medicines to people free of cost. But, the hospital’s condition worsened with the passage of time. The report stated that no facility was being provided to people at present despite its having a budget of million of rupees. The patients have to purchase medicines from outside while doctors ask them to first buy the glasses.

Mustafa Kamal expressed great displeasure over this situation. He went round all the wards and inquired from patients about their welfare and the facilities provided to them.

—APP