In response to concerns expressed by President KCCI Muhammad Idrees over dilapidated infrastructure, rising streets crimes and other civic issues, Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Iqbal Memon announced formation of a committee comprising KCCI representatives and staff of Commissioner’s office so that both stakeholders could collectively devise strategies for resolving infrastructure and civic issues being faced by business community as well as the Karachiites.
Exchanging views at a meeting during his visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Commissioner advised that the proposed committee should come up with a comprehensive document which must cover all the issues sector-wise and a timeframe of three to four months must also be defined for finalizing this important document which would surely give a direction on how to improve the existing infrastructure.
Deputy Commissioner South Irshad Sodhar, Chairman Businessmen Group Zubair Motiwala (Via Zoom), President KCCI Muhammad Idrees, Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Naqi, Vice President Qazi Zahid Hussain, Chairman Law & Order Subcommittee Asif Chamdia, Chairman Public Sector Utilities Subcommittee Tanveer Barry, Former Presidents Majyd Aziz and Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Managing Committee members along with representatives from various commercial markets attended the meeting.
In response to concerns expressed over cleanliness issue, Commissioner stated that the situation was not so bad as Sindh Solid Waste Management Board was actively engaged in ensuring cleanliness all over the city. “Only one out of seven districts where a Spanish company was engaged faces cleanliness problems as the said company retreated. Garbage lies unattended only on Sundays due to weekly holiday of workforce but this should not be happening and the city must stay clean on Sundays as well because it is a day when people usually come out with their families for recreational activities so they must be provided pleasant environment. We are aware of the cleanliness issues and will soon come up with practical solution.”
Commenting on Zubair Motiwala’s remarks, Commissioner admitted that reduction of water to 240MGD under K-IV project was likely to keep the water scarcity issue unresolved. He assured to discuss this with relevant quarters so that he could better understand the problem and accordingly take it up with higher authorities. “As K-IV project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, it is the right time that we must also raise voice over reduction in water supply otherwise, it will not be taken into consideration after few months”, he added.
He said that although maintaining law and order was not the responsibility of Commissioner’s Officer but a meeting with Heads of Law Enforcing Agencies will be summoned next week to discuss the overall situation and devise an effective plan of action for dealing with the same.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Businessmen Group & Former President KCCI Zubair Motiwala stated that it was highly deplorable that water supply under K-IV project has been reduced from 640MGD to 240MGD which would certainly keep the city deprived of water. “This will not bring an end to the unlawful activities of water mafia and the Karachiites will keep on suffering badly hence, the previously allocated 640MGD for Karachi must be reinstated”, he said, adding that keeping in view the rising demand day-by-day, even 640MGD will be insufficient so 240MGD under K-IV is going to be totally fruitless.
He said that law and order situation has terribly worsened in Karachi where it has been observed that most of the criminal activities were being carried out in connivance with policemen and they do not hesitate in murdering the citizens on slight resistance. “Some Afghan gangs were also active outside restaurants at the highway where short-term kidnapping for petty ransom was taking place. Although one of the gangs has been busted but another gang is still active which is a very serious issue that has to be tackled on top priority”, he added.
Earlier, President KCCI Muhammad Idrees, in his remarks, expressed deep concerns over awful state of Karachi’s infrastructure as the city was constantly being ignored by both the federal and provincial governments since many years regardless of the fact that Karachi, being the financial and industrial hub of Pakistan, contributes more than 68 percent revenue to the national exchequer and 95 percent to provincial kitty.
He said that the infrastructure problems being faced by Karachi were due to meager allocation of just Rs26 billion for municipal services which were too low as compared to other cities in our neighboring country including Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata which receive INR.690 billion, INR.100 billion and INR.100 billion respectively. “To improve the standard of living and the infrastructure of Karachi, the Commissioner’s Office must join hands with KCCI and we have to make collective efforts for the development of Karachi which lacks master plan that has led to unorganized mushroom growth all over the city”, he said, adding that it was really unfortunate that KCCI has not been taken on board in PM’s development package of Rs11,00 billion announced for Karachi.
He mentioned that miseries of business community and the Karachiites worsened further due to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic whose 5th wave was although underway but it was not so intense and fatal as compared to previous spells therefore, the restriction imposed on businesses have to be eased.
President KCCI also mentioned that street crimes have risen sharply nowadays in almost every nook and corner of Karachi where the innocent citizens were fearlessly being looted and even killed by criminals. “Although it is the police department’s responsibility to control street crimes but the Commissioner must also take notice as criminals find it a perfect opportunity to easily loot commuters stuck in traffic jams caused by broken roads hence, it is the Commissioner’s responsibility as well to play a role in dealing with the situation”, he added.
He urged that as Karachiites inhabiting in all seven districts face cleanliness issues and suffer badly due to activities of parking and water tanker mafias, the Commissioner’s Office has to take practical and make sincere efforts to ensure cleanliness all over the city in addition to taking strictest action against parking and water mafias. To promote the positive image of Karachi, President KCCI stressed that Commissioner’s Office must take joint initiatives with KCCI to promote the coastal tourism and sporting activities in the city.
CAPTION:
President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry Muhammad Idrees presenting crest to Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Iqbal Memon during his visit to KCCI. Senior Vice President KCCI Abdul Rehman Naqi, Vice President Qazi Zahid Hussain, Former President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Chairman Law & Order Subcommittee Asif Chamdia, Chairman Public Sector Utilities Subcommittee Tanveer Barry and KCCI Managing Committee Members are also seen in the picture.