HYDERABAD, Aug 2: The Qasimabad Taluka Nazim, Noor Mohammed Shoro, has held the builders’ mafia and the Hyderabad Development Authority responsible for the destruction of Qasimabad.

Speaking at a news conference in his office here on Thursday, he said that for the development of Qasimabad, a three-year plan had been chalked out in all the four union councils of the Taluka in consultation with the elected representatives.

He said these included the construction of roads, drainage and water supply schemes, schools, provision for basic health facilities, construction of meat and vegetable markets, cattle market, bus and truck terminus, recreational spots, parks, libraries, and Taluka and union council offices.

He said the installation of a 1,000 new telephone connections for Qasimabad Taluka has also been approved.

The Taluka Nazim claimed that these development schemes would be completed with the financial assistance being provided by the Sindh government and resources of the Taluka municipal administration.

He said some schemes would also be completed under the Khushhal Pakistan Programme.

Mr Shoro pointed out that the population of Qasimabad Taluka was more than 300,000 and there were 188,000 eligible voters but only 90,000 voters had been registered.

He said the population far exceeded the present four union councils which was an injustice with the people.

He said it was necessary that in the future schemes of things, the Taluka should be divided into nine union councils and one provincial assembly seat should be reserved for Qasimabad.

He also demanded that the number of Zakat committees should be increased from nine to 25 committees.

He complained that Qasimabad Taluka had not received its due share in properties and assets from the defunct Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and added that the salaries’ share of the employees had also been withheld.

He pointed out that the builders had obtained an NOC from the HDA recently for their housing scheme after paying money as a result of which they did not provide the required facilities to the people.

He said that this haphazard construction of housing schemes was destroying the systematic and organized development.

He said the Nazims of the union councils had decided to approach the courts concerned to get stay orders against the HDA and the builders.

He made it clear that unless the builders obtained an NOC from the union councils concerned, they would not be allowed to raise any construction.