KARACHI, May 12: The City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, on Friday said each union council will be provided Rs9.6 million as discretionary fund in the next fiscal year, while if the UCs submit PC-Is of projects worth Rs960 million, the city government would implement them also.

“The union councils and towns are important and basic tiers of this (local government) system. If they become dynamic, all problems in the city can be solved. We are, therefore, strengthening and empowering the UC and town administrations,” he said.

He was speaking to a joint meeting of UC nazims, naib nazims, councillors and officials of the Jamshed Town at the town council hall. The Jamshed Town Nazim, Arif Ajakia, and Naib Nazim Ziauddin Jamal were also present.

Mr Kamal said there was still a lot to be done, as the situation hadn’t become exemplary in some towns including the Jamshed Town even after six months since the new local government administration assumed charge. He stressed the need for further improvement in these towns.

He said the success of the local government system and solution to the problems of citizens was dependent on the elected representatives of the UCs, as they had direct interaction with people.

He pledged the city government's all-out help to the UCs in strengthening the lowest tier of the local body system, and speedy solution to problems being faced by Karachiites.

The city nazim asked the union council representatives to redress complaints regarding water supply and sewerage and improve sanitary condition in their respective areas.

medical camps: Arrangements have been finalized for holding free medical camps in 10 towns on May 14, where free screening tests for blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol will be done.

The camps are being set up in collaboration with the city government in connection with the World Hypertension Day.

The arrangements were discussed by senior Cardio-Physician Dr Syed Khalid Hussain in a meeting with City Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil at her office on Friday.

Dr Khalid said that Jamshed, Saddar, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulberg, North Nazimabad, New Karachi, Landhi, Korangi, Malir and Shah Faisal towns had been selected for holding the camps. He said that all camps would be held from 10am to 2pm.

Ms Nasreen said that the city government including town administrations would facilitate these camps.

She said that high blood pressure was a cause of different diseases including paralysis, heart troubles, damage to kidneys and eyesight if not cured within time.

She stressed the public to never ignore any disease even if it was an ordinary one and suggested them to immediately contact a registered doctor and follow his instructions.

She also said that camps would be set up on the World Hypertension Day for raising awareness among the masses about blood pressure and other diseases and to motivate them to fight these diseases.—PPI