Sindh Minister for Local Government, Agha Siraj Khan Durrani has given a go-ahead signal to Karachi Market Relief Committee (KMRC) to start the construction of markets which were ransacked during the December 28 rampage last year.
Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), on Wednesday he said, "please do not wait for orders and start construction of the markets. We want to see the affected shopkeepers back in business in the reconstructed shops before Eid".
Durrani assured affected shopkeepers that the government would do its level best to reconstruct the buildings as soon as possible. He also assured that the government would remove all hurdles coming in the way of reconstruction of the buildings. The government will fulfil all requirements of reconstruction, he added
The provincial minister said that the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has always extended a helping hand to the people of Karachi, which is evident from the fact that he announced Rs 3 billion for the rehabilitation of affected shopkeepers within a few days of the incident.
Agha Durrani said that the PPP government is following the agenda of Zulfiqar Bhutto and his daughter Benazir, to serve the nation and improve the living standard of the people. Referring to allotment of land for KCCI building, he advised the KCCI's managing committee to specify a location for the building so that the minister could take up the matter of land allotment with the chief minister.
Later talking to newsmen, he said that the government would soon present the draft law of local government in Sindh Assembly for its consideration He said that the government is preparing the law in consultation with its political alliances - MQM and ANP. He ruled out differences between his party PPP and MQM on the proposed bill and said deliberations are going on relating the bill.
Replying a question, he said that Asif Ali Zardri would be the first President of the country who will give up his authorities soon Earlier speaking on the occasion, the leader of the businessmen Group (BMG), Siraj Kasim Teli said that the first phase of rehabilitation of the fetched shopkeepers has been completed and around 1741 pay orders worth Rs 1.38 billion were distributed among the affected.
Chairman KMRC, Zubair Motiwala said that it is the first such instance in the history of the country where the affected people got relief payments within two to three months. Citing an example, Motiwala said that some affected people of the October 2005 earthquake are still awaiting compensation. He said that an estimated cost of reconstruction of the buildings is Rs 20 crore and the initial contract for the reconstruction has been awarded to two companies.
President KCCI, Abdul Majid Haji Mohammad said that a total of 19 markets were razed to ground during the December 28 incident. He said it is the intention of the KMRC that at least ground plus first floor of the buildings get constructed before Ramadan which is expected to commence in mid August.