Sindh Minister for Local Government, Katchi Abadies and Spatial Development Muhammad Hussain Khan has directed all the town municipal administrations (TMOs) of Karachi to further accelerate removal of encroachments especially from stormwater drains in their respective jurisdiction and said that no pressure or recommendation should be entertained in this regard.
While presiding over the meeting of all 18 TMOs at his office here on Friday, the minister further ordered for removal of debris from roads so as to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
He further directed for expediting the cleanliness campaign and said where the cleanliness drive is not possible in daytime, the same should be conducted in night hours using all possible work force. He said separate teams should be formed for cleaning of main roads and inner streets so as to improve overall cleanliness situation of the city.
The minister stressed the need for their maximum capacity. He said encroachments especially on drains could not be ignored as it is in the larger interest of Karachiites to fully utilise these drains in case of rains.
Muhammad Hussain directed the towns to launch special drive against stray-dogs as they were posing a constant threat to specially women and children. He also asked the town municipal administration to involve citizens in their cleanliness initiatives, as no effort could be successful without their active participation in this regard.
He also highlighted the importance of creating awareness about cleanliness amongst citizens and said a subject namely 'Civic Sense' should be introduced from primary level to teach the same to the children at their early age.
Provincial minister said he would conduct surprise visits of various towns to personally monitor and evaluate the cleanliness drive and anti encroachment measures. Negligent and careless officers would be dealt severally, he warned. Hussain asked towns to establish garbage transfer centres so as to store the garbage collected from the town before sending the same to landfill sites.
Special Secretary (Technical) Local Government Laiq Ahmed Khan, TMO Landhi Noman Arshad, TMO Saddar Mukhtar Hussain, TMO Gadap Ashfaq Mallah, TMO Bin Qasim Manzoor Abbasi, TMO Korangi Dr Mukhtar Palejo, TMO Keamari Tariq Ghallo, TMO Gulberg Abdul Latif, TMO Malir Munawar Siyal, TMO New Karachi Mumtaz Memon, TMO Lyari Khursheed Ahmed, TMO Orangi Qamar Shaikh, TMO Site Imran Aslam, TMO Liaqatabad Khalid Riaz, TMO Gulshan Anisul Hassan, TMO Jamshed Masroor Memon, TMO Shah Faisal Barkat Rizvi and TMO Baldia Ghulam Shabir Jatoi attended the meeting.