CM tours city, says Rs1.9bn issued for maintenance of hospitals, roads and drains

Karachi

The Sindh chief minister has expressed displeasure over the re-emergence of encroachments alongside the Gujjar Nullah and directed the local government minister to chalk out a comprehensive plan to rid the area of encroachers once and for all. 

Speaking to the press on Monday, after paying surprise visits to Sobhraj Hospital, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Gujjar Nullah, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said the purpose of his visit was to witness the condition of the city and its hospitals.

Accompanied by the local government minister, Jam Khan Shoro, secretary health, Ahmed Baksh Narejo and Commissioner Asif Hyder Shah, the chief minister said that with the rapid encroachment alongside the Gujjar Nullah, its width of over 30 feet had now reduced to seven feet.

"How it is now possible to discharge storm water and waste water from the drain,” he said. “Definitely, they would get choked and start gushing out water on to the roads and streets. This is exactly how the cities are inundated.”

The chief minister further added that "this is our city and hence it is our duty to keep it clean, green and make it encroachment-free, but to its misfortune, nobody takes ownership of Karachi, even those who claims to be its sole custodians".

Funds issued

The chief minister claimed that he has released over Rs1.9 billion for up-gradation of the KMC hospitals, repair and maintenance of roads and cleanliness of storm drains.  "I have also issued extra funds for the garbage collection at different locations of the city," he added.” 

Government hospitals

Shah said the local government minister, Jam Khan Shoro, was taking his personal interest to upgrade the Abbasi Shaheed and Sobhraj Hospital and soon both the health facilities would be equipped with necessary gadgets.

"I am quite satisfied that the district administrations of the city: KMC, DMCs and Health department, have collectively made good arrangements by setting up heatstroke care centres," he said, and added, "I am sure this time with a quick rapid response teams on ground, in case of any emergency,  we would be able to protect lives."

K-Electric

The chief minister said that he personally requested the prime minister to direct the water and power ministry, to reduce loadshedding in Karachi and rest of the province. However, he immediately added, "But, unfortunately nothing substantive is done so far and the load-shedding was on the increase ever since temperature has risen," he said.