KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Hyder Zaidi has said that the federal government is preparing a comprehensive policy for the development of Karachi and the first phase of cleaning drains has been completed and garbage will be lifted in the second phase of Clean Karachi Movement spearheaded by him.
The federal minister was addressing a meeting with members of Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) here on Friday at ABAD House. Chairman ABAD Muhammad Hassan Bakshi, Senior Vice Chairman Anwar Dawood, Vice Chairman Abdul Kareem Adhia, Chairman Southern Region Ibrahim Habib, PTI MPAs Jawed Siddiqui and Bilal Gaffar were also present on this occasion.
Ali Zaidi said that due to his efforts with the help of Frontier Works Organization (FWO) Karachi witnessed that rain water during second and third spell water was receding fast as almost all drains were cleaned. He lamented that civic sense among the public has been faded as a result of abrogation of Civic Studies from the syllabus of schools.
He said that Rs. 100 million was donated by various entities and individuals for Clean Karachi Movement. This money, he continued, was directly deposited into the bank account of FWO opened for the Clean Karachi purpose.
Earlier, addressing the gathering Chairman ABAD Muhammad Hassan Bakshi demanded of the federal minister to request government for declaring Karachi as the second Capital of Pakistan as this city is generating more than 70 percent revenue. He also requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to held meeting the Federal Cabinet in Karachi and also stay in Karachi for atleast fifteen days to show ownership of the city.
Hassan Bakshi demanded of the federal government to pave way to lift ban on construction of high rise buildings in Karachi, although the ban imposed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in lifted but still builders are not getting approvals for the same.
Senior Vice Chairman ABAD Anwar Dawood said that it is fact that Karachi needs cleanliness but the government should also take stern action to clean garbage of corruption for the betterment of the economy and development of the country. Chairman Southern Region Ibrahim Habib thanked federal minister and PTI MPAs and media for attending the meeting.u