CITY GOVERNMENT COMPLETES CONSTRUCTION OF 52 OVERHEAD PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES.

On the directive and policy of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal City District Government Karachi has completed the construction of 52 overhead pedestrian bridges in the city with a cost of Rs.880million. These bridges have been constructed at different points on all three signal free corridors and other busy thoroughfares.

City Government had planned the construction of 116 pedestrian bridges in the current year out of which 52 bridges were completed and in the next phase construction of 30 more overhead pedestrian bridges was going to begin soon for which already Rs.600million has been sanctioned. City Government will initiate third phase of the project after completion of second phase bridges which would involve the construction of further 34 pedestrian bridges in the city to complete all 116 bridges in the current fiscal year. These bridges have been constructed at different places on signal free corridor I, II, III, Sharae Faisal, Manghopir Road, Shahra-e-Pakistan, near IBA and other educational institutions in the city to provide convenience in crossing the road.

Meanwhile Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal has directed EDO Transport and Communication to further expedite work on pedestrian bridges. He said that after the construction of signal free corridors and wide roads in the city the traffic speed has increased and therefore it was required to construct pedestrian bridges for the convenience of citizens in crossing roads. City Government had after consultation with the traffic engineering experts and under the survey of all busy and important places in the city selected 116 places for construction of overhead pedestrian bridges out of which 52 pedestrian bridges have been completed and were in use of public while work on 30 more bridges will also start soon.

Citizens of Karachi have appreciated the construction of overhead pedestrian bridges on busy point in the city. They said that the bridges have provided convenience in crossing roads especially during rush hours while they also added to the beauty of newly constructed corridors in the city.

Free Medical Camp at Usman Memorial Hospital on Sunday

The Usman Memorial Hospital is organizing a free medical camp at Hospital premises Plot # ST-12, Block-1, Hussainabad, Federal "B" Area, on Sunday, 31st January 2010 at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Dr. Abdul Ghaffar Bilo, Professor of Paediatric, Aga Khan University Hospital and Dr. Muhammad Tufail, Medical Director, Patel Hospital will inaugurate medical camp.

KARACHI NAZIM INAUGURATES NEW CNG BUSES AND TERMINAL

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that card system has now been put in place in the CNG bus service after closing down case dealing. The new cards of Rs.50 and 100 denominations are now available at common shops and CNG bus booth. Despite of facing the loss of Rs75million annually in the CNG bus service the City Government has carried on this best and cheap transport service for poors, students as well as labour class. So far 75 buses have been run on different routes in the city while 20 more buses per month will be added in the fleet of CDGK dedicated CNG buses.

He expressed these views after inauguration of a new route of CNG bus namely route-III and the new bus terminal at Gulshan-e-Zia Orangi Town near Northern Bypass on Friday. Large number of people including MNAs MPAs Town Nazim of Orangi and SITE elected representatives and otheres were also present on these occasions.

Nazim Karachi on this occasion said that only a considerable addition in the CNG buses could replace the old transport system in Karachi with the new one. He said that the people demand end of old bus transport culture in Karachi but it could not be done immediately.

He said that four years ago we heard that the federal government had allocated Rs5 billion for CNG bus project in Karachi and the city government had also sent the PC-I for this three years ago but we have not received even a penny in this head nor any progress was made in the mass transit project for the city. Haq Parast leadership has instead of waiting for the action initiated a new model of public transport in Karachi which has never been introduced in the country.

He said that we have introduced a new system of e ticketing for this bus service and henceforth this system will be used for all the new buses in the city. City Nazim said that the bus service was aimed to provide best convenient and affordable transport to citizens of Karachi.

Karachi Fashion Week starts from 31st January

Earthquake jolts Landhi, Korangi

Low intensity earthquake shocks were felt in Landhi and Korangi Thursday morning. According to details, light earthquake was felt at 11:30 am in Landhi and Korangi. Area residents came out of their homes fearing the natural disaster.

According to meteorology department, the intensity of earthquake at the Richter scale was recorded at 2.5. The shocks were of low intensity. These areas have felt such shocks previously and can experience it in future, the department said. (ST)

KASBIT RECEPTION IN HONOR OF KARACHI NAZIM

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that the youth of Pakistan are talented and intelligent but the educated and talented youth from middle class were not given the opportunity to serve the nation in the present political system. The future of Pakistan is associated with educated youth. Providing opportunity to middle class youth representing 98 percent of our population to serve their area or city can lead to progress similar to Karachi in whole Pakistan in just four years.

He expressed these views while addressing the reception given in his honor by Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari Institute of Technology (KASBIT) on Wednesday.

City Nazim said that the country has been governed by 38 families since 60 years who made MPAs and MNAs but they did not even establish a primary school in their jurisdiction while they sent their wards to foreign countries for education. “How can the country make progress in such conditions” adding that only those who have suffered with the problems can understand the real problems of our society. The middle class youth who represents 98 percent of our population can solve the problems of common men because only he could be made answerable to his people.

City Nazim said that Quaid-e-Tehreek Mr. Altaf Hussain is the only leader of the country who has given the opportunity to youth to represent the people. Karachi has set up a new example of serving the people and solution of basic problems in just four years. The middle class youth has given a new model of progress that could be implemented in whole country for rapid development.
He said that development is an ongoing process and it must continue as any temporary halt in the journey of development can put adverse affect on the society.

On this occasion a documentary depicting the development in Karachi during last four years was also screened while the Faculty members Israr Khan and Dr. Muhammad Mehmood appreciated the works of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and called him a national hero.

KBCA Chief meets ABAD delegation

Chief Controller of Karachi Building Control Authority Mr Manzoor Qadir meets a delegation of Assocaition of Builders and Developer headed by ABAD chairman Mr. Farooq uz Zaman at KBCA office. Senior officers of KBCA were also present in the meeting.

4 Jundallah members apprehended for attacks on Ashura procession: CCPO Waseem Ahmed

CCPO Karachi Waseem Ahmad has informed that four members of Jundallah who had been arrested have admitted there involvement in attacks on the Ashura procession in Karachi. The criminals were also allegedly involved in attacks on Core Commander Karachi.
Speaking to a press conference CCPO said that Jundallah was also involved in attacks on Gulistan-i-Johar Police station, Awari Hotel, Core Commander and PACC. The criminals including Murtaza Arif Shakeel, Muhammad Shakib Faroqi Arif Adil, Murad Shah Arif Farhan Mota and Wazir Muhammad Arif Shakir were arrested from Hawks Bay Road, 500 Quarters on Saturday night. The terrorist were tracked down with the help of their Cell-phone Sim and a bomb was also found from their information. The terrorist also admitted that a bomb in Shadman was to be used to target a Aalim.
CCPO also said that fool proof security arrangements were made for Ashura procession

Sindh Government activates sports relief fund

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The Sindh government has activated the Pakistan Sports Foundation Relief Fund (PSFRF) for the specific purpose of providing financial assistance to the athletes facing financial hardships due to physical disabilities or protracted ailment.

Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Secretary Sports, Government of Sindh, has revealed that besides helping the deserving athletes in need, the Regional Committee of the PSFRF was also taking care of the legal heirs of the deceased ones.

“The seven-member Regional Committee of the PSFRF was formed in November 2008 with a revolving grant of Rs 500,000 at our disposal with the objective of helping the deserving sports-persons of repute and to legal heirs of those stalwarts who have died. We have been providing financial assistance in the form of monthly scholarships as well as lump sum grant-in-aid,” he disclosed.

Shoaib Siddiqui himself is a member of the Regional Committee of the PSFRF that also includes former Test cricketer and present chief selector, Iqbal Qasim, besides, Mir Haider Ali Talpur, Shah Riazuddin and Rahat Ali Shah.
“The families of former Pakistan hockey captain, Munawwar-uz-Zaman and former Test cricketer, Taslim Arif, were provided financial grant of Rs 50,000 each. Similarly a payment of Rs 50,000 was made to the family of cricket coach Khushi Mohammad,” Shoaib Siddiqui disclosed.

“Footballers Mahboob Khan and Turab Ali were paid Rs 20,000 each to take care of their illness. Boxer Mahboob Khan and hockey player Khwaja Wasimuddin were also extended financial support to the tune of Rs 20,000 each while judo player Sajjad Hussain Baloch was paid Rs 15,000,” he added.

“The athletes and coaches having been extended monthly assistance of Rs 3,500 each include Lal Mohammad Baloch, Nazar Mohammad, Mohammad Ali Shah, Mohammad Wasim, Mahboob Khan, Noor-ul-Haq, Zaki Anwar, Shabbir Hussain, Abdul Rauf Qureshi, Abdul Rasheed, Shaikh Hasan Mohammad, Abeera Ali Shaikh, Abdul Ghafoor and Ismail Rosho,” Shoaib Siddiqui said.

It’s indeed quite heartening to note that the government has started taking care of the unpriveleged athletes who certainly deserve the monetary support after having spent their life in the sporting arena.

Numerous sporting greats have had to struggle to make their ends meet because only a few of them had the luxury of jobs and that too during the peak of their career. The majority of them couldn’t save for the rainy day and life has remained tough for them generally.

Sports has become an industry worldwide but the same cannot be said about Pakistan with cricket being the sole exception. Under the circumstances the state does have the responsibility of looking after the athletes.

The amount being disbursed by the Pakistan Sports Foundation Relief Fund (PSFRF) at the moment certainly looks peanuts but it’s a mighty big move in the right direction. As they say it’s never too late to do something good.

The government should allocate more funds to this scheme in order to assist greeater number of athletes. This will go a long way in encouraging more youngsters to take to sports.

CITY NAZIM HANDS OVER KEYS OF SHOPS TO OWNERS IN 9 RESTORED BUILDINGS OF M.A JINNAH ROAD

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal handed over keys of restored and renovated shops to owners in 9 of the arson hit buildings including old cloth market at Light House on Tuesday. He also laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction of damaged Quetta Market and said that restoration work at remaining 20 markets would also begin as soon as the buildings are handed over to city government after the assessment of amount of damage. City Nazim said that we already have 20 organizations that would perform the reconstruction of damaged buildings.

He said this while addressing a huge gathering at the handing over of shops in 9 restored markets to their owners. DCO Karachi Javed Hanif Khan, Saddar Town Nazim Muhammed Dilawar, M.D KESC Tabish Gohar and large number of affected traders and people were also present on this occasion.
City Nazim said that from the first day he was sure that we would soon succeed in restoration and rehabilitation of affected commercial center at M.A Jinnah Road. Within 20 days we could be able to do all this under the guidance of Quaid-e-Tehreek Altaf Hussain Bhai who had felt the pain of affected business community. “So far all the rehabilitation work has been done by the people of Karachi on self help basis as not a penny has been received in this head from the provincial or federal government” City Nazim said adding that the government formalities took their time and he expect early payment of announced relief to affected shopkeepers.

He said though bomb blasts occurred all over the country but the people in Karachi by taking part in the whole process of rehabilitation of affectees set up a unique example for such events in Pakistan. He said that this incident has thought us a lot. We have seen people here crying vehemently after they lost their all earnings over night. The critics had tried to put all the responsibility of incident on us by leveling all kinds of charges but we left this matter on Almighty Allah who knows better.

City Nazim said that it was only due to the availability of effective surveillance system the law enforcement agencies today catching the criminals on the basis of their pictures in video footage. We had provided 72 hour long video footage before and after the incident recorded by the City Government’s Command and Control Room to police and all intelligence agencies. City Nazim said that the people of Karachi knew well about their well wishers and enemies as they successfully thwarted the evil designs of anti state forces with their mutual harmony and unity. He also prayed for those martyred in the bomb blast on Ashura saying that the people of Karachi were brave enough to face and help each other in such incidents.

City Nazim said that we have completed the repair and renovation work at 9 out of 20 affected markets. The shop owners of old cloth market at Light House who had themselves performed restoration of their shops have been given Rs.7 Lac as compensation. M.D KESC Tabish Gohar on this occasion announced to wave off 4 months electricity bill of the affected traders and distribution of 10 thousand energy savers in the affectees.

CID arrested 3 wanted men

The Sindh Police Crime Investigation Department (CID) here on Friday claimed to have arrested three suspects, wanted in murder, attempt-to-murder, kidnapping-for-ransom, robberies and other heinous crimes.
According to details, the culprits were identified as Mohammad Rafique alias Chacha, the son of Yasin, Sharif alias Kobra, the son of Hussain and Aftab Siddiqui, the son of Shamsuddin.
According to the CID officials, on a tip-off, the arrests were made after separate encounters took place in Bhittai Colony and Liaquatabad area. The Police also recovered three TT pistols and one motorcycle from their possession.
According to the preliminary investigation, culprits - Aftab and Sharif told the investigators that they along with their other accomplices namely Obaid, Shahjahan, Emran Kala, on a suspicion of being the police informant, kidnapped a person namely Taimur in 2008 from Mochko area and later shot him dead in Sector 9-E.
In the same year, they gunned down a man namely Murid Hussain in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area as he offered resistance during a robbery bid.
The officials further said that the culprits also confessed having involved in over 40 cases of robbery in various parts of the City including Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Abul Hassan Isphani Road, Liaquatabad, Korangi, FB Area and North Karachi.
Cases have been registered against them while further investigation is underway, the officials added. (Nation)

Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases to start OPD service on 24/7 basis

On the directive of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal Health Department of City District Government Karachi has decided to open the OPD at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases on 24 hour basis and without any gap. The department has also decided to implement the directives of City Nazim regarding availability of specialist doctors at each department of ASH and KIHD and stationing a fleet of CDGK ambulance service 1122 at Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases.
Earlier City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal had directed EDO Health Services Dr. Shahab Imam to take immediate measures for provision of better and on time health care services to citizens. He said that the opening of 24 hour OPD at ASH and KIHD would ensure availability of better medical facilities to people while the presence of specialist doctors and ambulance service 1122 would also facilitate the patients in critical moments.

Nazim Karachi said that city government has spent billions of rupees on the provision of better health care services to citizens and therefore they should avail the benefits of measures taken by city government for their convenience.

Is KESC implying all Karachiites are thieves?

By Irfan Aligi

As part of its efforts to curb power theft, the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has come up with a unique way of reminding consumers that stealing electricity results in negative consequences, however, the power utility has ignored the fact that in the process it is humiliating the bill-paying and law abiding consumers.

The KESC has printed a shameful slogan on electricity bills, which goes as: “Hum bijli churatay hain tub hi hamaray bachay iskoolon main garmi say behaal hotay hain” (Since we [KESC’s consumers] steal electricity, our children have to suffer the heat in schools.)For those who pay their bills on time and still endure long hours of load shedding, this is like rubbing salt into the wounds.

Those consumers who are being sent a bill obviously have legal connection, and even if they are stealing power through the kunda (hook) system, then it is the KESC’s inefficiency of not being able to take stern action against power thieves that is to blame.

Humiliating the law-abiding citizens through implying that they are power thieves is a strategy that makes little sense.Instead of hurting the self-esteem of legal consumers, the KESC should take measures to improve flaws in its distribution system and reduce line losses.

Talking to DT, many citizens said they felt offended by the humiliating slogans printed on the KESC bills.They said if the government was unable to address the citizens’ woes, which have been worsened due to the tariff increase; it should at least ask the KESC to remove such language from bills.

FIA arrested ex-chairman of Pakistan Steel Moin Aftab

FIA Crime Circle has rounded up the former chairman Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) Moin Aftab Sheikh from the home of his daughter on four charges of corruption – worth of billions of rupees, here in Defence Housing Authority late on Tuesday night.

According to FIA team, he was hiding in his daughter home in Karachi for fear of detention when the crackdown was launched in view of his arrest warrants issued in four corruption cases being under trial in courts and he sought bail before arrest. He was an absconder from Rawalpindi, sources said.

Asif Zaradari reviews Karachi situation, meets PPP workers from Lyari

There is need to work together to maintain peace in Karachi, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari said while presiding the meeting of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leaders and Mutahida Qaumi movement (MQM) leaders on the situation of the city in Bilawal House on Tuesday.

All the political parties must play its role in maintaining peace in the city. The political parties must not blame each other but help the government to indicate to the criminal elements, President Zardari added.

The democracy should not be blamed in any way. All the problems must be solved with the negotiations, President Zardari added.

The policy of reconciliation is the need of time for all the political parties in the country. All the policies would be made with the consultation of all the political representatives.

President Asif Ali Zardari presided the meeting of the PPP leaders in Bilawal House.

The meeting was joined by Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Qadir Patel, Rafiq Enginner, Qasim Baloch, Najmi Alam and Saeed Ghani.

The leaders of the PPP demanded the President Zardari to order to stop the operation in Lyari. The PPP leaders handed over the list of 14 martyred workers of PPP to President and demanded the families of the victims should be compensated. The PPP leaders also requested President Zardari to establish the party fund to help the families of the victims.

Raza Haroon, MQM leader said that we are grateful to President Zardari that he invited us for the meeting in Bilawal House on the situation of the city.

We have conveyed our reservation to President Zardari and he listened our view point and agreed with us on many points. President Zardari assured us that the action would be taken against the criminal elements in the city. We agreed that the leaders of both parties would settle all the matters collectively, he added.

We have agreed to take action against the criminals.This is not the conflict between the PPP and MQM. We only want that the action must be taken against the criminals, land grabbers and drugs sellers, he added.

This operation would not be against any community or any particular area. This operation would be against all the criminal elements, he added.

Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq, Education Minister Sindh and PPP leader said that the peace committee would be formed which would include PPP and MQM leaders. The both parties have decided that they would follow the root of dialogue to solve all its matters. The both parties would follow the policy of reconciliation. Both parties would collectively work to maintain peace in the city, he added

The both parties would have reached near conciliation on the issue of local government. There would be meeting on the issue of local government on Wednesday, he added.

Meanwhile, target killing continues in the city despite announcement of the government to take stern action against those involved. Two more people were killed in Lines Area.

Body found from Jet Line was identified as Abdul Shakoor. He was shot dead. Another person was killed in Brigade police station limits whereas two people were injured in firing by unidentified people in Lyari. (SAMAA)

MUSTAFA KAMAL APOLOGIES FOR COMMENTS IN LIVE BEEPER

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has apologized to his supporters especially all those who may have felt offended by his comments during a recent interview (live beeper) on a private TV Channel.

In a statement Nazim Karachi said that at the time of receiving the query he was busy in the rehabilitation of affected traders and the concerned anchor had asked such a question on that any human would have got sentimental. However, the post which I hold demands me that I should have more patience and endurance. Therefore I apologize to all my Pakistani brethren and sisters who could have felt offended by my words.

Meanwhile, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has praised the efforts of federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik for bringing improvement in the present condition and maintaining peace in Karachi. He also expressed hope that his efforts would bring about improvement in the law and order condition in Karachi.

CITY GOVT. COMPLETES 40 PERCENT RESTORATION WORK ON DAMAGED BUILDINGS

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that the repair and restoration of arson hit 9 markets of Boulton Market has been 40 percent completed and the commercial activities in these markets would resume within a week. ABAD (Association of Builders & Developers) has also initiated construction of a damaged building comprising 400 shops and ware houses with its own resources. All efforts are being taken to rehabilitate the affected traders in their own shops as soon as possible.

He expressed these views during a visit to Boulton Market and other arson hit markets of the area. He also met with the affected traders and contractors of city government and water board. The traders appreciated the efforts of Nazim Karachi for their early rehabilitation. They said that these extraordinary efforts have assured them of their soon rehabilitation.

Nazim Karachi on this occasion said that without waiting for the government aid, being the City Nazim I have started repair and restoration of damaged and gutted buildings and shops of M.A Jinnah Road and already 40 percent of work has been done while rest of work will also be completed soon. He said that the citizens of Karachi were working on the rehabilitation of arson affected business community on self help basis. I salute all those who have contributed in the relief fund or taking part in the restoration activities.

City Nazim said that at this stage it was not possible to assess the exact loss suffered by the main commercial center of Karachi. However, the affectees had desired to get back their shops in original state and the buildings were made business able. On their request we did not wait for even a day and just started repair work on all those buildings that had been handed over to us by the KBCA. Already 40 percent of this work has been completed. The reconstruction of dangerous and razed buildings has also been started.

Nazim Karachi also appreciated the national spirit of city government contractors who had taken up the repair and restoration of 9 affected buildings. He said that they have responded well to the appeal to do something for their city and country. He said that city government has been doing all this despite of facing acute monetary crisis.

PICG, PBC Conference on the ‘Role of the Non-executive Chairman’

A half day conference on the ‘Role of the Non-executive Chairman’ was held by Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG) in collaboration with Pakistan Business Council (PBC) recently at Karachi Sheraton hotel.

With a brief introduction by Mr. Fuad A. Hashimi (President & CEO, PICG) and Mr. Kamran Y. Mirza (Chief Executive, PBC), the conference was focused on the role of a non-executive chairman, a key issue in the realm of Corporate Governance practice. Mr. Salim Abbas Jilani (Chairman SSGC) chaired the conference and was also one of the moderators. Mr. Munnawar Hamid OBE (Chairman BOC & Silk Bank) was the other moderator.

Mr. Ken Rushton, senior advisor at Nestor Advisors and a member of the Private Sector Advisory Group of the Global Corporate Governance Forum, delivered the key note address on ‘International Best Practices’. It was followed by presentation on ‘Experience with Pakistani State-Owned Enterprises’ by Mr. Zaffar A. Khan (non-executive independent director on the boards of companies like State Bank of Pakistan, Unilever, and Shell Pakistan etc.). The last presentation was on ‘Perspectives from Family-Owned Businesses in Pakistan’ by Mr. Razzak Dawood (Chairman, Descon Engineering & PBC and Rector of LUMS).

A highly interactive discussion forum followed the presentations raising issues on how to further enhance the role of non-executive chairman in the companies. In a nutshell, the objective of the conference was to highlight the current scenario and proposing a set-up where organizations in any segment, specifically those relating to public sector enterprises, must run in a neutral manner under the framework of good governance.

No connection of MQM activists and Urdu speaking people with the Lyari gang wars: Muttahida calls on security agencies to act on Karachi situation

Muttahida Qaumi Movement today said that there was no connection of MQM activists and Urdu speaking people with the Lyari gang war and ongoing incidents of violence in Karachi.

In a statement issued here, the MQM’s Rabita Committee said that a bloody fighting took place between Lyari gangs on Jan 7, resulting in the killing of several people. However, he said that criminal people of Lyari gang wars first kidnapped MQM workers and Urdu speaking people, and then later martyred them on Jan 8.

“The killing of the innocent MQM’s workers has become a routine matter now, it said.

The committee said that despite the fact that MQM has been informing the federal and provincial governments about the gruesome incidents, no positive outcome has surfaced so far.

The coordination committee further said that no action was taken against any murderer.

Therefore, the MQM appeals to the responsible and honest officers of rangers, police and secret agencies that they should come forward to protect the life and property of innocent people.

According to the MQM, it is the legal and constitutional obligation of law enforcement agencies to protect innocent people from getting killed.

Anne W Patterson calls on Governor

US ambassador Anne W Patterson on Wednesday called on Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan at Governor House Karachi and discussed the issues of mutual interest with him. She expressed great sorrow over the Karachi bomb blast incident and arsons of markets, saying that American Business Council has announced the aid of Rs1billion for the rehabilitation of the affected people.
Governor praised the feelings of US envoy for the affected persons of the incident.

CONTRACTORS BEGIN REPAIR WORK OF AFFECTED BUILDINGS

Responding the appeal of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, the contractors of City District Government Karachi and Karachi Water & Sewerage Board started repair and reconstruction work of affected buildings of M.A Jinnah Road on Sunday morning.

The contractors have employed a work force comprising 1500 people with heavy machinery in the rehabilitation work. Services of civil engineers have also been hired to oversee the work. The number of labor will be increased by 1000 from Monday and the affected buildings will be repaired and restored within next 10 days after that these will be handed over to the owners so that they could restart their business as soon as possible.

The contractors are using heavy machinery of City Government and Saddar Town besides 11 cranes, more than 8 dumper loaders, dozens of trucks and other machinery hired by them. Two separate pools of funds have been set up by the contractors of CDGK and KWSB with a sum of Rs10million in each pool as the initial amount; this amount will be used for purchase of construction material, payment of wages to labor and for other necessary expenditures and will be increased as and when it required. City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has expressed satisfaction over the pace of work.

The contractors will perform the reconstruction and repair works on 24 hour basis and will not take any break before the completion of the task. It has also been decided that the repaired and revamped shop will be handed over to the owner soon after completion of work so that they could restart their business there. On Sunday a total of 1000 bags of cement with 500 trucks of “bajri”and other material was arranged while the welders, carpenters and concerned machinery was also dispatched to the site.

Meanwhile the shutters of more than 100 shops of old cloth bazaar of Light House were handed over to the owners while the repair work was also started on Sunday. The shops of this market will also be handed over to the traders after completion of their repair work in next few days.

During a visit of the area on Sunday City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal expressed satisfaction over the rapid pace of work. He said that we will fulfill our promise made to the affected traders that the restoration and rehabilitation work will be completed within week’s time.

This may be noted that City Nazim has formed a monitoring committee comprising of EDO Works & Services Rasheed Mughal, EDO Municipal Services and M.D KWSB Qutubuddin Shaikh for repair and reconstruction of damaged buildings…

CONTRACTORS TAKE ON REPAIR OF DAMAGED BUILDINGS

Registered contractors of CDGK and KWSB have announced to participate in the rehabilitation process of arson hit business community by starting repair and reconstruction work of 22 gutted buildings located in an area from Light House to Boulton Market from Sunday.

In the presence of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, affected traders and media representatives at Boulton Market on Saturday they said that the 285 buildings of Boulton Market will be repaired by contractors of Karachi Water & Sewerage Board while the rehabilitation of remaining affected buildings will be done by contractors of City District Government Karachi.

Earlier City Nazim said that the repair work of affected buildings will be performed not in months but within weeks and all the affectees will be rehabilitated in their original shops so that they could restart their business there. He said that we could not afford any delay in this work. He also appealed to the administration of private schools in Karachi to exempt the fees of the children of affected traders for at least next 6 months, adding that city government will itself pay their fees if they did not do so.

City Nazim said that national flag should be hoisted on all the affected buildings as a symbol of harmony. He said that the incident was anticipated as the enemy was trying to destroy the economic hub of Pakistan but we will not surrender.
Nazim Karachi further said that the affected traders have lost all of their life long earning in the incident and now we have set up our preferences for their rehabilitation. Initially the repair and reconstruction of shops has been taken on and for this purpose I would ask the contractors of CDGK and KWSB to give some sacrifice for their city and country. They have been invited here so that they could themselves see the huge damage and take part in the rehabilitation process. He said that the nation today needs us. The rehabilitation work has been initiated on war footing basis. City Government will also have its share in this process. He said that from now on all attention should be given to the rehabilitation of affected traders.

City Nazim also formed a monitoring committee comprising of EDO Works & Services Rasheed Mughal, EDO Municipal Services and M.D KWSB Qutubuddin Shaik which would also decide the procedure for repair and reconstruction of damaged buildings.

Four to five million Pakistanis are carriers of hepatitis B

An estimated 300 to 350 million people worldwide are carriers of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) – a major hepatitis virus. In Pakistan, four to five million people are suspected HBV carriers. The virus can cause a number of liver diseases, including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer. To raise public awareness, Aga Khan University (AKU), in collaboration with the Pakistan Society for the Study of Liver Diseases (PSSLD) organised a programme on hepatitis viruses.

Close to two million people worldwide die each year from HBV and according to the World Health Organization, the virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV/AIDS. HBV is endemic in parts of Asia, with more children being affected as the virus can be passed from an infected mother to her baby at birth. Dr Khalid Mumtaz, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), said that the high number of HBV carriers in Pakistan places an enormous burden on patients, their families as well as on the government and its resources. Large amounts of money is spent on treatment but given the limited options available, prevention is better than cure. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is through vaccination, and Dr Mumtaz recommended that infants be vaccinated immediately after birth. Providing an update on vaccinations, Dr Wasim Jafri, Consultant Gastroenterologist, AKUH and President, PSSLD, advised that three doses of the HBV vaccine are essential for full protection. Contrary to earlier advice, if a dose is missed the vaccination schedule can be continued without repeating the initial doses.

Another hepatitis virus, hepatitis C, is usually spread through blood from an infected person. Dr Muhammad Salih, Consultant Gastroenterologist, AKUH, said that there is a rising incidence of hepatitis C in Pakistan due to poor awareness, lack of basic health care and below-par blood screening facilities. The multiple use of disposable needles and syringes, substandard transfusion services and poor dental and surgical health care are all issues that need to be highlighted though wider public awareness.

If detected in time, there is an 80 to 90 per cent of curing hepatitis, according to Dr Saeed Hamid, Consultant Gastroenterologist, AKUH and Vice President, PSSLD. He pointed out however, that treatment is expensive. He also said that the disease cannot be cured if liver cirrhosis occurs, so timely diagnosis is essential.

The best measures against hepatitis E, yet another hepatitis virus, are to avoid dirty tap water and to follow good hygiene and sanitation practices, said Dr Rustam Khan, Consultant Gastroenterologist, AKUH. Hepatitis E is primarily spread through water contaminated by sewage. Dr Hasnain Shah, Consultant Gastroenterologist, AKUH said that this infection can be severe and may prove fatal in pregnant women, and advised them to be careful about drinking clean water and eating only well-cooked food during pregnancy.