Warmly complimenting those responsible for such a supreme effort to build a mass of houses, he said this shows what a determined people can accomplish.

The president said his joy knows no bounds when he sees new colonies spring up up on virgin land. He pointed out that the money which could have been spent on more productive schemes is being spent on housing etc. Nevertheless, there is such a thing as human need which has to be fulfilled, he observed.

The inauguration of the one-room residential area of North Karachi Township was marked with a handing-over ceremony when President Ayub Khan delivered the first quarter to Maulana Abdul Ghafoor, a tin-smith of Lyari area.

The President, later, signed the township’s visitors book with the remark; “I am very happy to declare this colony open.”

The township is still in the process of construction. In its first phase now completed as many as 7,000 houses are ready for occupation with all the attendant community facilities.

Another 4,000 houses, being in an advanced stage of construction, will be completed by the end of next month.—Staff Correspondent

‘Resettlement a big problem’ KARACHI: President Ayub Khan, quoting census figures, said one is surprised to learn that the growth of population in Karachi — 7-1/2 per cent per year — is simply phenomenal, something unheard of.

He added in a lighter vein: “I don’t known how they do it, but there it is.”

Hitting out at the critics who were impatient for resettlement of the displaced persons, President Ayub said: “Anyone who is in a hurry and who gets up and says why this problem can’t be resolved in a day should have his head cured a bit and realise the magnitude of the problem.” —Staff Correspondent