KARACHI, Oct 26: The city government has decided to revive the KTC Drivers Training Institute in SITE area and start training drivers in road safety traffic laws on modern lines, under the Urban Transport Scheme.

This was decided at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the city Nazim Naimatullah Khan in the Transport and Communication Department at the City Complex.

DCO Shafiqur Rehman, EDO transport Dr Tahir Soomro, DIG traffic Saood Mirza and other high officials also attended the meeting.

The EDO transport told the meeting that at present there was no government training institute to impart training to drivers. He said road accidents occurred due to speedy driving and violation of traffic laws by commercial drivers.

He said the Drivers Training Institution in the SITE area was closed down in 1997, and the then management of the Karachi Transport Corporation (KTC) had planned to auction the building and equipment of the training institute. He said at that time he had opposed the auction as secretary transport.

EDO Shafiqur Rehman Paracha suggested that all commercial drivers wear a uniform and put badges on it during duty.

The city Nazim directed the department of transport to submit a detailed report and recommendations to him about reviving the KTC Drivers Training Institute.

DIG traffic Saood Mirza told the meeting that in the city about 4000 private sector driver training institutes were working in the city, and the driving license branch at Clifton issued about 40 to 50 driving licenses daily.

The Nazim constituted a committee comprising the DIG traffic and the EDO transport to review matters regarding private, commercial drivers, registration of all private driving institutes and monitoring of drivers.

He asked the committee to submit its recommendations within a week. The meeting also discussed computerized driving tests on the pattern of England and America. The chief executive officer of services Khayam Hussain and business manager M Ahmed Bukhari gave a presentation on computerized driving tests.

cooperation sought: City Nazim Naimk atullah Khan has sought the cooperation of pharmaceutical companies in Karachi for the provision of medical facilities to the poor and deserving patients in various medical institutions.

Addressing a meeting of representatives of pharmaceutical companies, the Nazim apprised them about the steps taken for the promotion of the medical sector. He said that despite all efforts, the city government with its present resources could not meet the target of provision of medical facilities.

He set up a 10-member committee consisting of noted professors, government officers and elected representatives. The committee will devise a transparent system for purchase of medicines as per the requirement of city hospitals.

The Nazim informed that the city government had allocated 19 per cent of its budget for the health sector, but the private sector and pharmaceuticals must also work for the development of the city.

He said those companies could also cooperate in other development projects of the city, including construction of schools, parks, roundabouts, public toilets and beautification of footpaths.

He said the city government had already launched a greener Karachi campaign with the private sector participation.—APP