KARACHI: Mayor of Karachi Waseem Akhter revealed that only RS.10 billion were released for the development of Karachi during four years. He was addressing a luncheon of Korangi Association of Trade & Industry (KATI) here on Wednesday. President of KATI Sheikh Umer Rehan, Chairman & CEO KITE Zubair Chhaya, Senior Vice President Muhammad Ikram Rajput and Vice President Syed Wajid Hussain also addressed the occasion, says a Press release.
According to details Mayor Karachi said that during previous four years only Rs10 billion were released for development of Karachi by provincial government. He clarified that recently CM Sindh announced 2 billion rupees for KMC but it wasn’t a new allocation the government only cleared the due funds allocated for 2018-19 budget of city.
He said that it was repeatedly reported on media that during three-four years provincial government had released Rs.60 billion to KMC, the amount is not correct. “Only 10 billion was for the development and rest of funds were for the expenditure for salaries and pensions of employees” he added.
He mentioned that not a single mega project was listed for Karachi in PSDPS, this is a matter of sheer concern for Karachiites. He said that until Article 140-A of Constitution wouldn’t implemented with letter and spirit administrative issues couldn’t be settled in the city. He noted that Sindh Local Government Act binds provincial government to pay cess on revenue collected form Karachi. “Till the day formulation for these payments were not in place,” he added.
He also criticized the Federal government on its indifferent attitude towards issues of Karachi. He asked PM Khan to come to the city and manage the state of affairs in person if he is willing for the prosperity of Pakistan. He claimed that despite the lack of resources only KMC is managing administration of city. He told that 4 month salaries of KMDC doctors and Risk Allowance were due to unavailability of funds.
He applauded the business community for its courage that despite the adverse condition they are continuing the business and industrial activities. He also said that KMC is managing 14 hospitals with the help of private sector and philanthropists. He also demanded the federal government to release allocated funds for the rehabilitation of fire department of Karachi.
He further mentioned that 60 pc of city was owned by federal government and 30 pc came under Sindh government jurisdiction only to mere part of the city is left for the KMC. He asked the business community to come forward to claim the due share of Karachi and raise their voice on every available forum.
On this occasion President KATI slammed Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) for its bad performance. He told the mayor that in just two months 80 complaint pertaining to water supply and sewerage were forwarded to the MD of KWSB from Korangi Industrial Area but he didn’t bother to respond them. He applauded the CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah for his personal interest in resolving issues faced by industries and demanded to take an extraordinary decision to reform the board.
He further said that privatization is the only solution for the problems pertaining to KWSB or bring a competent person from business community to manage this civic agency. Zubair Chhya mentioned that industries were receiving heavy bills of municipal utility tax bills with hefty arrears, a committee should be formed to resolve the issue and demanded the withdrawal of dues.
Former Presidents of KATI Ehtesham Uddin, Akbar Farooqui, SM Yahya, Sheikh Fazal Jalil, Vice Chairman DMC Korangi Syed Ahmer Ali, Shiekh Basit Akram, and others were also attended the meeting.