KARACHI, Sept 17: Nazim Karachi Naimatullah Khan has said that the population increase in Karachi cannot be controlled, and as such, the status of this megalopolis will have to be determined at the federal level.

He was speaking to a group attending the 77th National Management Course, which met him at Civic Centre here on Tuesday.

He recalled that 30 years back, a report had stated that Karachi should be given special consideration when its problems are discussed, as this city has a different position as compared to other big cities.

He said that the population of Karachi is growing at a fast pace, and it is difficult to solve its problems because of resource constraints.

Naimatullah Khan said that when the city government took over the administration on Aug 14, 2001, Karachi was in a ruined condition with broken roads. He said the city government immediately started work on road repairs, and completed work on these roads in one year, on which development work was stopped for the last five years.

During the current year, he said, work was in progress on nine roads and four flyovers, while work on the magno-train for the city has been taken in hand to solve its transport problems.

He said this project, costing $1.2 billion has been started with the cooperation of the private sector. Its feasibility study has started, which will be completed in four months.

The city Nazim said that in view of the improper transport system, the city government has decided to operate CNG buses which have arrived at Karachi Port.

He informed the delegation that the city government received 4500 schools, 92 colleges and 250 hospitals in a dilapidated condition. While some buildings were devoid of electricity, others did not have bathrooms. However, their condition was improved within a year, and now efforts were being made to provide a better environment to students.

In order to meet the water shortage, efforts are being made for the desalination of seawater, and to find alternate sources, while work on a project has been started for treating sewage water and then supplying it to parks and factories.

The Nazim Karachi described the law and order situation as satisfactory, and said that over 600 delegations visited the city during one year.

He said the city government’s efforts were for increased foreign investment in the private sector, for which so far 16 MoUs had been signed.

Naimatullah Khan informed that a MoU is being signed with the World Bank, whereby a study on Solid Waste Management would be carried out.

He pointed out that large scale investment is the only way for the solution of problems, for which efforts are being made. However, the federal government will have to frame investment rules to differentiate between contract and investment rules.—APP