KARACHI: 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.
