Improving finances top priority, says KMC chief

Karachi
After taking charge as administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Commissioner (KMC) on Friday, Roshan Ali Sheikh has immediately put a halt to the payments to contractors. Speaking to The News at his office, Sheikh said the step had been taken to bring about some much needed improvements in the KMC's financial dealings.
He admitted the KMC is facing severe issues in paying salaries and pensions. “It is my top priority to make improvements at the financial end,” Sheikh said, adding that immediate payments would be released for pensioners who had not received their dues for the past three months now.
The administrator said that along with the 42 heatstroke medical camps in various areas of the city, one more had been opened at the Civic Centre. He said it was essential that the KMC did all in its power to ease the citizens' suffering and vowed to personally monitor the heat stroke camps. Sheikh warned of strict action against officers found negligent in addressing public issues. “All officers have to be at work on time. There will be no compromise on this condition,” he stressed. The administrator assured of full cooperation with investigating agencies looking to probe into the actions of allegedly corrupt KMC officers.