LG representatives not given special funds to tackle coronavirus: mayor

Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar said on Tuesday that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan lawmakers were not provided with funds for uplift work nor the local bodies representatives were given special financial assistance to tackle the coronavirus.
Talking to media after inaugurating fumigation campaign in District Korangi, Akhtar said that local bodies could be empowered only if the federal and provincial governments want to do so, adding that his party endorsed policies of the federal government.
"Allies of the government are issued funds but the MQM-P was not given funds for the uplift work in Karachi," he added. At least 50 staffers equipped with modern machines took part in the fumigation and used latest machines for spraying in narrow streets.
District Korangi Chairman Nayyer Raza, Vice Chairman Ahmer Ali, MQM-P coordination committee member Abu Bakar and officials of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation were also present on the occasion.
The Mayor asked the federal government to utilize elected local government representatives, adding that their work would be seen on ground. "Local bodies representatives should be empowered and they are the ones who are aware of local issues," he added.
He said that DMC Korangi arranged fumigation drive from its own expenses and small streets would also be covered during the campaign. Terming the cleanliness issue serious matter, he said that DMCs don't have resources even to lift the garbage.
Akhtar added that the KMC lacks required machinery to cater need of the city, saying the Sindh government didn't support the local government despite their repeated appeals.
"We have provided precautionary kits to doctors and other paramedical staffs on our own. Commissioner Karachi and different welfare organizations have 100 and 400 precautionary kits respectively to KMC which would be disbursed among doctors and paramedics too," he said.
The Mayor once again highlighted the issue of doctors and paramedics' salaries, asking as to how they would perform their duties if not paid salaries on time. Sindh government should resolve this issue sooner rather than later. Besides doctors and paramedics, he also hailed law-enforcement agencies and media persons and added that their work is commendable.