A meeting was held between Sindh Minister for Local Government Nasir Hussain Shah and town chairmen led by Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Munam Zafar.
Officers from the Local Government Department, Water and Sewerage Board, Solid Waste Management, and other relevant departments were also present at the meeting. On the occasion, the town chairmen presented their complaints to the Minister for Local Government regarding water and sewerage as well as solid waste issues. The Minister directed that all complaints of town and UC chairmen be resolved immediately. During the meeting, it was agreed to ensure coordination and effective liaison among all relevant departments and town and UC chairmen. Minister Nasir Hussain Shah stated that through coordination and mutual cooperation, public complaints can be addressed promptly and better relief can be provided.
The Minister directed the concerned departments to immediately recruit katchra /cleaning staff (Kundi Men). Nasir Shah said that currently there are 1,800 such workers in the department, whereas the requirement is 3,000. He emphasized that consultation with town and UC chairmen must be made during the recruitment process and that hiring should be carried out from the respective local areas. He said that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has directed that immediate measures be taken to resolve public complaints and provide relief. The Minister stressed that water and sewerage issues must be resolved on a priority basis, as sewage water on roads not only causes inconvenience to the public but also damages roads, thereby negatively affecting the city’s image.
He further said that the garbage collection system should be improved across Karachi and the entire province. Garbage dumps around educational institutions should be eliminated, and a clean and healthy environment should be ensured for educational institutions. Strict action will be taken against those who fail to perform their duties. Nasir Shah directed that UC and town administrations be provided with manhole covers immediately and that an effective mechanism be devised to prevent theft. He assured that whatever budget is required for manhole covers will be provided.
He added that Jamaat-e-Islami, the Pakistan Peoples Party, and all other stakeholders must play their role in improving Karachi. No compromise should be made on road construction. A coordinated system should be developed to prevent dumping of garbage into storm-water drains, and the presence of Water Board representatives in the offices of all chairmen should be ensured.
Matters related to cleaning staff (Kundi Men) should be entrusted to UC and town chairmen.