http://www.dhakarachi.org/DHAKarachi/images/img_news_2a.jpg

http://www.dhakarachi.org/DHAKarachi/images/img_news_2a.jpg

The Galleria ... What appears to be the first proper shopping mall ... built along the lines of the large ones you see in Dubai and the West. Thanks to Pakistanhomepage for these pictures.

http://www.wintersgill.net/IMAGES/3-Lahore-Exterior.tif.JPG

http://www.wintersgill.net/IMAGES/3-Lahore-Interior%20-%20zoom.tif.JPG

http://www.wintersgill.net/IMAGES/3-Lahore-Interior.tif.JPG

http://www.wintersgill.net/IMAGES/1-Lahore.tif.JPG

The rendering arent the greatest but it gives an idea of what it will look like.

Is there a website for this? From what I see, this looks pretty good. I'm glad... we need more of these types of malls... not all these low-rise plazas that keep popping up... most of em are ugly anyway.

Is there a website for this? From what I see, this looks pretty good. I'm glad... we need more of these types of malls... not all these low-rise plazas that keep popping up... most of em are ugly anyway.

dude the thing i dont like about the smaller plazas is the way they are like kinda open from the lower floors with these stairs going in. I dont know they just look really messy and unprofessional from the lower floors. Well lets see how they pan out.

KARACHI, March 25: Work on the installation of two desalination plants, with a production capacity of 25 million gallons each per day, would begin within the next six months.

The plants are to be installed in the city's coastal areas at an estimated cost of $360 million.

An American firm has undertaken the installation of the two plants on a 'build, own and operate' (BOO) basis. One of them is to be established at Korangi Creek and the other at Port Qasim. They would be made operational in 2007 and the water produced at the plants would cost the government Rs120 for 1,000 gallons.

An initial agreement to this effect was scheduled to be signed between the city government/KWSB and the US-based California Enviro-Management, Inc. at a ceremony here on Friday. However, the ceremony could not take place owing to some pre-occupation of the US Consul-General, Douglas C. Rohn. It would now be held in a few days.

While City Nazim Niamatullah Khan was to grace the occasion, the agreement was to be signed by the KWSB MD Brig Iftikhar Haider. On behalf of the US firm, its president, Sami Khan, was to sign the deal.

Highlighting the salient features of the seawater desalination plants, Mr Sami Khan told Dawn that a study pertaining to the installation of the two plants had undertaken on the initiative of the former ambassador to Pakistan, Ms Nancy Powell. He stated that the plants would have their own power generating units of 20 MW each to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to the facilities.

Mr Khan said that the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), which provide interest-free loans for welfare-oriented projects, had extended a loan of $287,000 (80 per cent of the cost of the study) to the California Enviro-Management Inc.

The remaining 20 per cent cost had been borne by the firm itself, he added. The firm is supposed to repay the loan shortly after the commencement of the installation work.

He said that initially, a quantity of 50 mgd desalinated water would be supplied to the KWSB. However, he added, the firm would later on be allowed to sell water directly to households as well as the KWSB-approved commercial and industrial consumers. The water produced at the desalination plants would strictly be of the standards set by the World Health Organisation for potable water.

Both the plants would be retained by the US firm for 25 years after which they would be handed over to the KWSB/ CDGK, he said, adding that the KWSB/CDGK could own the plants any time during the 25-year lease period on payment of the cost to be decided by the firm.

Under the proposed agreement, both the sides have agreed that extraordinary cost vis-a-vis operation and maintenance (O&M), specifically defined through the relevant clauses of the agreement, would be shared equally by the two parties.

Mr Khan, whose firm has also undertaken installation and operating of a desalination plant at Gwadar, appreciated the city nazim and the KWSB MD for their insistence on ensuring the provision of water to consumers at an affordable rate and for agreeing on a minimum of 25-year lease of the plants to the water developer.

Agreement signed for two seawater desalination plants

http://www.geo.tv/news_images/pakistan/29-Mar-05-b0c60be0-5d34-4b6f-9f46-3f4f7adc7ccdwater-plant_lpic.jpg

KARACHI: A preliminary agreement for the installation of two seawater desalination plants of 50 Mgd was with estimated cost of $ 340 million, signed here Monday.
The agreement was signed by City Nazim Karachi Naimatullah Khan and California-Environment Management Inc. USA.

The ceremony was witnessed by US Consul General at Karachi, Douglas C.
Rohn.

City Nazim said the US company can run these plant for 25 years. The project will be completed till 2005.

Dubai builders to invest $1.8bn in housing


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, March 28: Two Dubai based real estate developers are going to invest up to $1.8 billion during next five to six years in the development and housing schemes of the Defence Housing Authority, Islamabad.

Similarly, a Malaysian consultancy firm have taken up different development jobs and is presently building family club at an estimated cost of Rs1.13 billion. US based Pakistani doctors are investing $15 million in a hospital to provide the state of the art medical and surgical facilities in the DHAI.

This was stated by Brigadier (Rtd) Zahid Waheed Butt administrator DHAI at a news briefing held on Monday in a local hotel. The DHAI has put up big stall at the International Trade and Industries Fair at Export Centre.

Giving the name of one of the developments the DHAI administrator said that the other who has already singed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has requested not to disclose the name prematurely.

He said that Al-Ghurair Giga which is one of the biggest real estate developers in the world has entered into an agreement with the authority to develop high rise apartments at a cost of Rs44 billion ($800 million).

He said the Al-Ghurair group would start the construction work on these high rise luxury and semi-luxury apartments from May or June this year and each block would have 20 to 30 floors. The group has taken 40 acres from the DHAI and in many projects there is partnership and some are going to be solely developed by the group.

The other developer who has requested to keep the name undisclosed and has already signed MoU is going to invest $1 billion during next five to six years in the developing housing scheme and commercial areas in different phases of the DHAI. The group is going to acquire 2500 acres of land along the G T Road and develop a huge commercial area as well.

However, he said both the developers have already committed the investment amount and in coming month DHAI will finalize the agreement with the other group who is presently reluctant to disclose the name.

Mr Butt said that the name of G T Road at a portion where the group is going to develop large commercial area at a cost of Rs2.5 billion will be changed to Shah-e-Al-Nahayyan. They will also construct houses and dispose them of to sellers which will need around Rs40 billion.

The DHAI chief said that the Malaysian consultancy firm which is already working on family club having a cost of Rs1.13 billion will also develop utility areas such as schools, mosques, market places and play ground. He said that the company will also enter into mortgage business for housing schemes.

Responding to a question, he said that after becoming an autonomous body on being declared as authority by the government not only the development work will become faster but also its members will get their papers processed at speedy pace.

In the mast Brig ® Zahid Waheed Butt said our members have to deal with two entities that is Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Rawalpindi Development Authority. However, after being declared as authority, he said now the DHAI falls under the preview of CDA and all documents will be processed by them.

He said that on May 10, the authority will invite applications for allotment of plot in its Phase II extension and by the end of the month balloting will be done. Mr Butt said that 12 categories of applicants are eligible for participating in balloting, including senior citizen, retired army officers, government and semi-government officials and professionals, like doctors, lawyers.

He further said that plot which is presently being sold at Rs4 million in the open market will be given through balloting at Rs1 million which will include Rs500,000 cost of land and Rs500,000 for development work which could be paid in six equal instalments.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/03/29/ebr7.htm

Progress Work at Golden Palms Residential State

http://www.actons.net/gp20/images/more%20pix/PICT0053.JPG

http://www.actons.net/gp20/images/more%20pix/PICT0054.JPG

http://www.actons.net/gp20/images/more%20pix/PICT0073.JPG

http://www.actons.net/gp20/images/more%20pix/PICT0075.JPG

http://www.actons.net/gp20/images/more%20pix/PICT0077.JPG

http://www.actons.net/gp20/images/more%20pix/PICT0085.JPG

http://www.actons.net/gp20/images/more%20pix/PICT0088.JPG

http://www.actons.net/gp20/images/more%20pix/PICT0092.JPG

http://www.actons.net/gp20/images/more%20pix/PICT0094.JPG

Looks like their building that on the beach!

Karachi: The plans to open a cultural village in Pakistan are underway. The Governor of Sindh Ishrat ul Ibad is meeting representatives from the Arts Council, the Aiwan-e-Riffat Building and Napa to decide on how to go about making the first cultural street in Pakistan. The News learned that President Musharraf himself directed the governor and minister of Sindh to look into the possibility of turning the M.R. Kiyani road into a cultural street.

The first time the idea was mentioned was at the inauguration of Napa in February, where Napa Chairman, Zia Mohyeddin made special reference to Attiya Fyzee’s Aiwan-e-Riffat Building that she had wanted to turn into a cultural complex and requested that the whole road be converted into ‘Pakistan’s first cultural village’. On that occasion, President Musharraf spoke at length about the importance of art and culture to a civilized society and regretted the way the arts had been phased out by previous governments. He then went on to announce donations and appealed to the corporate sector to support the arts and Pakistan. He said nothing about the possibility of cultural village that is suddenly now cropping up regularly in the news.

At a meeting with the President earlier this month in Islamabad it was a pleasant surprise to see how proactive he was about promoting Pakistani culture through setting up institutes like Napa and strengthening the ones that already exist. When I asked him about Zia Mohyeddin’s request for setting up a cultural village on M.R. Kiyani Road, he said: "I have spoken to the governor and chief minister to look into blocking the street and turning it into an art street. They should put up a cobbled pavement there and allow people to paint and sing out in the open." The President had fond memories of visiting such a street in Boston when he went to visit his son there. "It would be very nice to have such a street where people can go and relax. The street would be a new introduction in Karachi. It would add to the city, be a tourist attraction and most importantly boost the morale of the artists themselves."

President Musharraf has used the muscle, which is his prerogative, to push for a revival of the arts. During his tenure, projects like the Lok Virsa Museum in Islamabad have been implemented. He is also passionate about renovating Pakistan’s heritage sites to glory. Such tremendous interest in what is generally the periphery for the leader of a nation is indeed commendable in a head of state, especially in the ideologically fractured country where the concept of women running a race or holding a mela continues to find opposition from the religious right.

A cultural village would be an oasis in the concrete jungle that is Karachi. This city has its lion’s share of business, but falls far short on the cultural graph. It is this gap that the policies of the current administration will help bridge, if they keep going at a steady pace. The danger is that in Karachi such efforts, more often than not, remain a mirage.

The idea of the ‘cultural village’ has been tossed around before. According to renowned community town planner and Karachi expert, Arif Hasan, the first time he came across the very same idea was as early as 1987 when the students of architecture and planning at the Dawood College had done a thesis that overcame a much bigger on turning the M.R. Kiyani Road and the surrounding areas into a cultural zone. They reckoned that along with Jinnah Courts, the Arts Council, Burns Garden, Hindu Gymkhana (now Napa) YMCA, Press Club and the Victoria Albert Museum that is now the Supreme Court, the area has so many cultural, historical and literary buildings that turning it into a diplomatic enclave would be justified. According to Arif Hasan government officials were often invited to sit on the jury by the college, but they never came. None of the many projects students came up with were ever implemented.

The idea of the cultural village is not a new brain wave. It has been dreamt up before by artists, creators and students but their voices in the past addressed a void. Indeed, there are to date many institutes teaching arts and architecture in Karachi and all over Pakistan that are full of young students brimming over with bright ideas. In an ideal world, the ideas that come from the people like them should be picked up and facilitated by the government. The cultural landscape of a country should not depend upon a head of state’s personal interest in the arts; though it has to be said that in our dire straits, that definitely helps.

http://www.apnakarachi.com/map/mainbuilding/jinnahc.jpg

Cultural walkabout

Plans to set up a cultural village around the Arts Council may introduce order and bring much-needed attention to the arts in the city

By Rubina Jabbar

One may come a cross a number of multi-storey shopping plazas and eateries around town, but hardly a corner reserved for artists, painters, singers, musicians, poets, sculptors and craftspeople, to serve as a meeting spot and entertainment facility in a city of about 15 million people.

However, the proposed project of "Coocha-e-Saqafat" - a cultural village in the area around the Arts Council of Pakistan offers hope for the change in the status quo.

Earlier this month, the Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad approved the project idea and issued directives for developing the area as a cultural village.

The chairman of "Coocha-e-Saqafat" Committee of the Arts Council, Saifur Rehman Grami, who had made the presentation on the proposed project before the Governor firmly believes that the area on and around M. R. Kiyani Road, which lies in the heart of the city, can easily be redesigned as a cultural precinct or "Coocha-e-Saqafat" after minor modifications.

According to Grami, the idea of a "Coocha-e-Saqafat" took shape in 1991 when the former Mayor of Karachi Dr Farooq Sattar had the concrete boundary wall of Burns Garden pulled down and had it replaced with an iron grill.

Evidences like the design or architecture of old buildings and structures and the surroundings suggest that the planners had something close to the idea of a 'cultural village' on their mind when they originally planned this area.

Buildings which lend support to this view include the Supreme Court Building, which was originally the Albert Victoria Museum, Hindu Gymkhana, the National Museum of Pakistan, Burns Garden, Aiwan-e-Riffat (Faizee Rahmain Art Gallery) and the Arts Council of Pakistan.

Across the road from the Arts Council lies the Aligarh Old Boys Association; Hindu Gymkhana which now houses the National Academy of Performing Arts (the pavilion of Hindu Gymkhana, however, has been encroached upon by the police who employ it as a housing facility); Muslim Gymkhana; and then comes Shaheen Complex, which is perhaps the only odd building in this vicinity. However, hardly anything could be done about it.

From the (Shaheen Complex) roundabout, a drive down the I.I. Chundrigarh Road takes one to the offices of 87 newspapers and 26 magazines, while on either sides of Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road one passes through Bagh-e-Jinnah (old Polo Ground), the five star hotels and the historical building of Jinnah Courts which was originally set up as a hostel for the students but presently serves as the Rangers' Headquarters.

The historical importance of the Governor's House running along the Aiwan-e-Sadar Road can hardly be ignored.

Across the road from the Karachi Gymkhana lie two magnificent bungalows which now house the District Coordination Officer (DCO) and the Chief Secretary.

A drive from the Arts Council roundabout down the Maulana Deen Muhammad Wafai Road takes one to the Boy Scouts Association next to the YMCA ground; the Free Mason Lodge which now houses the Sindh Wildlife Department, and adjacent to it stands the prestigious research facility of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA).

A short walk away from the Arts Council Square, one is greeted by the building of the Karachi Press Club.

"It seems as if the planners had something like this on their mind when they originally planned this area", Grami opined adding that all these buildings and facilities lend support to the setting up of a 'Coocha-e-Saqafat.'

However, these buildings and facilities involve different stakeholders. For example, the Federal Government owns the National Museum of Pakistan; Aiwan-e-Riffat falls under the jurisdiction of the City District Government Karachi and the Arts Council is a non-governmental organization (NGO).

These properties will continue to rest with the current owners, however, it has been proposed that the government constitute a powerful high level committee which should involve at least one project of each building of every stake holder to the proposed plan.

Grami made it clear that the project is very much on paper at the moment, and it will be starting with the holding of a Book Bazaar to be followed by an exhibition of paintings by various artists which would also be on display for sale at M.R. Kiyani Road, the main thoroughfare of the village by the end of this month.

A high-powered committee made up of representatives of each stakeholder and headed by the Sindh Government will be constituted to carry out the project.

The stakeholders will also be asked to upgrade their facilities using their own resources or through sponsorship and donations.

This committee will decide a calendar of events at the start of the year. It will also compile a schedule of programs which will include drama, theatre events, musical evenings, mushairas, exhibitions, art works, crafts etc.

The schedule of programs would be made available at airport, railway station and five star hotels so that visitors could decide which program they wished to attend to freshen up in the evening after a day's work.

Activities will be planned in a way that the dates of any two events will not clash. For example, if Muslim Gymkhana was holding a Mushaira, Arts Council or Aiwan-e-Riffat would be staging a drama.

In the evening, the M.R. Kiyani Road and its adjoining streets will be made free of traffic and in other words the area may be declared a pedestrian street from evening to midnight.

About the funds or infrastructure, Grami believes, there is not much money involved. For example, he says what a painter or artist requires is some iron angle and cloth for a roofing against the sun.

However, Grami is of the view that as far as book bazaar is concerned, the bookwalas will have to spend some money on transportation and other things.

It has been, therefore, proposed that they will be invited to set up the first bazaar free of cost. The second time, the government will bear 75 per cent expenses and the third time each party would bear the 50 per cent cost.

"That will be the soft opening. We will start the book bazaar and painting work hopefully by the end of this month," he said.

The proposed project has attracted wide support.

"I am very happy," responds Durraiya Kazi, Chairperson, Visual Studies, University of Karachi. She is of the opinion that this activity will give the city a sort of cultural confidence and provide livelihood to craftspeople as well.

"Ours is perhaps the only society where arts and crafts still remain as parts of our daily lives. People visit Multan for two things: buying handicrafts or for visiting mazaras," Durraiya Kazi pointed out. Craftspeople from the rural area of Sindh desperately keep searching for a place to trade/exhibit their work. A central place is required to showcase our local culture. Crafts bazaars held at the YMCA and the Japanese Consulate attract a large number of visitors. "Where would our craftsmen go when corporate culture is going to take us over?" she asks and adds that they would get lost into the corporate culture unless they were provided with such facility.

Presenting the example of Morocco she said, they have a large area designated outside each city for craftspeople to set up bazaars and market their work to attract tourists. She said Morocco earns 70 per cent of its revenue from the sale of handicrafts.

Nida Ali, a local poetess, presenting the example of Mumbai suggests that such villages be set up by the seaside as well to attract tourists.

"There hardly exist any sites to attract tourists when they visit Karachi. In Mumbai, they have such villages or 'dhabas' set up at the beach showcasing earthenware and other crafts," Nida said.

Tania Nasir, a young interior designer, however, suggests that the Pakistan Chowk area, conspicuous for old buildings, should be declared as part of our national heritage and be included in the proposed project.

Shamim Alam, Executive Director, the Arts Council of Pakistan is of the view that the proposed place will certainly serve as a great learning opportunity and get us familiar with our own culture and its value. Since the city has been struggling with an image problem, it needs such a place for the people to visit with their family and their guests.

" On one hand, the Food Street would be offering the culinary taste of the four provinces. On the other, artists and painters engrossed in their work and different activities would be going on at one place simultaneously. It would certainly provide entertainment and cultural learning to the visitors," Shamim visualises.

According to Shamim, subways and overhead bridges are also the part of the project for the smooth passage of pedestrians.

Shamim dispelled apprehensions regarding snags the project might face in view of the political and ideological differences between the City and the Provincial Governments. Notwithstanding the sea of differences between the Governor and the City Nazim, they agree at one point and that is, the welfare and development of the city, Shamim maintained.

Culture is the way of life of a people. A society speaks out through its culture. It is a by-product of the relations between people. Culture gives expression to the social thought, beliefs and values of human beings. A society which has no culture would be composed of expressionless persons.

Cultural tools, like songs, dances, drama, have been utilised as coping mechanisms to prevent total social disintegration. According to Prof Sahar Ansari, who is also a member of the Arts Council governing body, culture is a combination of all the human activities including literature, religion, entertainment, etc.

"Since the Arts Council is a centre of art, literature music and painting, it is quite apt that a cultural village be situated in its vicinity," said Prof Sahar Ansari.

Zia Mohiyeuddin, the head of the newly-established National Academy of Performing Arts, speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the Arts Council in January this year, also underlined the need for declaring the locality around the Arts Council a cultural precinct. He said, "If this locality is declared a cultural precinct - where rickshaws and other vehicles may not enter - then artistic and cultural activity could take place here unhindered."

He, however, expressed apprehension about the roadside dentists and barbers who might encroach upon the space earmarked for artists.

But who will execute the project, city government or the provincial government?

"Still it's not decided," said Grami who is also the District Officer (DO) Community Development.

Keeping in view the law and order, political instability and the writ of the religious 'right' who adhere to a different ideology when it comes to the definition of art and culture, critics raise questions about the viability of the proposed project.

Do we have a mindset for this when we seem least concerned about our culture heritage like Moen jo daro, one of the oldest civilizations of the world? They questione.

When a major portion of population is living in poverty, there is no point in spending billions of rupees in such endeavours that are destined to flop, some critics claim.

However, those who are sincere with the proposed project need to exercise extreme caution until things materialise and the goal is achieved.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/apr2005-weekly/nos-24-04-2005/images/kol1b1.jpg

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/apr2005-weekly/nos-24-04-2005/images/kol1c1.jpg

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/apr2005-weekly/nos-24-04-2005/images/kol1d1.jpg

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/apr2005-weekly/nos-24-04-2005/images/kol1e1.jpg

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/apr2005-weekly/nos-24-04-2005/images/kol1f1.jpg

Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has inked an agreement with DHA Cogan Limited here for the supply of 17.5 MMCFD (million cubic feet per day) natural gas to DHA.

The agreement envisages supply of gas by SSGC to DHA Cogan Limited for fueling DCL Power Plant and desalination water plant for next thirty years.

This power plant has the capacity of generating 94-Megawatt electricity, while the desalination plant bears the capacity of producing potable water 0.3 million gallons per day.

I have been hearing about this forver.. When is it getting started? Is it going to be connected to the poorer areas of Karachi that need this water? And how much will this be relied on? Will this come any where close to equaling the amount of water that the river provides?

DHA deaslination project will be finished by the end of this year......They would be made operational in 2007 and the water produced at the plants would cost the government Rs120 for 1,000 gallons.
Initially this project is only for Defence housing authority
Two more deaslination plants are also planned one for Karachi and one for Gwadar

http://img34.echo.cx/img34/6667/karachi87qa.jpg

I believe they are going to make in that Plot.


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, June 9: The city government has decided to construct a multi-storied complex to house a model mosque, a hostel on the pattern of a five-star hotel, an auditorium and a parking lot, at two huge plots adjacent to Civic Centre. Foundation-stone of the project which is estimated to cost Rs 880 million is expected to be laid by the City Nazim, Niamatullah Khan, in the current month and it is scheduled to be completed in three years.

All these three projects would be constructed on two plots: ST 2 and 3 (15-A and 15-B) which are nowadays being utilized as a parking lot.

It was decided at a high-level meeting held at the Civic Centre on Tuesday night with the City Nazim, Niamatullah Khan, in the chair. Gulshan Town’s Nazim, Abdul Wahab, city government’s EDO Sarfraz Ali Shah, EDO Manzoor Ahmed, Karachi Mass Transit Cell’s director-general, Malik Zaheeru-ul-Isam, Nazim’s coordinators Ansar Razi and Abdid Ilyas and othe senior officials of the CDGK were present.

The meeting was told that the multi-storied complex will have a model mosque, a five-star hostel for foreign delegates and an auditorium, besides providing parking space for 1,300 cars.

The meeting was told that with a view to providing accommodation to the foreign delegates, construction of a hostel on the pattern of five-star hotel in the vicinity of the Civic Centre has become a necessity.

The proposed model mosque, to be built in the complex, will be accommodating around 6000 faithful at a time while its basement, having a capacity of 3000, will be used as women prayer area.

About the proposed auditorium, it was told that it will have a seating capacity of over 5,000 people. The basement and ground floor of the auditorium will be reserved for car parking purpose where around 1,300 cars could be parked at one time.

The sources said that it will also have a library, a convention centre, a reading room, a Talim-i-Balighan centre, a language centre, a cafeteria and a separate enclosure for women.

Asked if the PC-One of the proposed multi-storied complex has been prepared, the sources in the CDGK said that it was nowadays being given final shape.

Source Dawn Daily English Newspaper Friday, June 10 2005 issue.

I guess most of you havent recognised it. There is already a mosque (or mosque look-a-like) on the right side of the building complex. I can see a white small minaret. So there is gonna be a new mosque built right in front an old mosque.

yah..........but they will build another mosque here in the same area.
In Karachi it is so common

The KBCA has set up a committee to prepare a master plan for high-rise buildings with 20 and more storeys to be allowed or constructed all along the coastal line of Clifton, Chief Controller of Buildings, Brig (Retd) A S Nasir told a news conference on Tuesday.

He said with a view to allowing construction of above 20 storied buildings in the coastal areas of Clifton, floor area ratio which, at present, is 1:5 was being increased to 1:9 and for which a summary had already been moved to the Sindh government and the chief minister’s advisor on local government, Wasim Akhtar, is likely to issue a notification in this regard.

Speaking about the proposed high rise buildings to be allowed in the coastal area of Clifton, Brig Nasir said since the coastal area has no water, its infrastructure is missing and is without adequate services, builders consortium would be required to install desalination and sewage treatment plants and generators in each block.

About his plan four model towns proposed to be established on either side, he said a 46 kilometre long road which will be generally below Northern Bypass (starting from Hub River Road) and in the North up to Northern limits of Sindh/Dadu, and it would be provided with high standard infrastructure, most modern facilities and a number of recreational spots, etc.

Elaborating, he said the proposed towns which have initially been named as China Town, Makhtoum Town, Faisal Town and Mahatir Town will have an international airport, a diplomatic enclave, lake and dam on Hub river, national safari park, service and administration area, civic centre for administration and project office, police headquarters, an educational complex, a five-star hotel, jurist enclave, journalist colony, middle-income group apartments, international trade banking, Expo complex, Olympics and sports complex, industrial area, low-cost workers scheme, TV and Communication Centre, Institute of arts and crafts exhibition hall, central bus stand, bus terminals, fruit and vegetables and grain market and storage, national mosque and graveyards.

He said that around 100,000 families could reside there in the most enviable environment to be provided in the towns.

He said that besides the proposed model towns, the KBCA has also proposed setting up of textile city and cottage industries under Malir and Lyari development projects, saying that the proposed textile city would attract foreign investment.

Referring to the KBCA’s plan of organising a three-day international housing industry exhibition (from July 29 to 31) at Expo Centre, Brig Nasir said that he has requested prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, to inaugurate the same.

NORTHERN BYPASS PROJECT
URC has been advocating for the implementation of Northern bypass project, which provides an exclusive access to heavy vehicles to Karachi port and reduce traffic congestions on city roads.

As the project will open new avenues of the development for the city therefore a master plan should be prepared for the utilization of the land along the bypass.

Shifting of all port related activities such as goodowns, Dan Mandi (Rice Market) Chemical Market, Timber market, and Metal Market from old city area to the proposed bypass.

KARACHI, June 21: The City Nazim, Niamatullah Khan, on Tuesday laid foundation stones for two ambitious development projects, the Hassan Square flyover and a multi-storeyed complex, to be built at estimated costs of Rs700 million and Rs880 million respectively. Unfolding details of both the projects at a ceremony held at the Civic Centre, he said the flyover would be constructed at the intersection of the Sir Shah Suleman and main University roads in two phases.

The initial tenders for its phase-I construction, costing Rs175 million were opened recently and it would be completed in 12 months.

The nazim said that under its phase-I construction, a two-plus-two lane flyover would be built on Sir Shah Suleman Road while another two-plus-two lane flyover would be constructed on the main University Road in the second phase.

The length of the flyover would be 130 metres while its approaches would be spread over 500 metres, he said, adding that the flyover would have two-lane underpasses for two right turnings i.e. from Sir Shah Suleman Road to the University Road.

About the multi-storeyed complex being built adjacent to the Civic Centre, Mr Niamat said, it would house a model mosque, an auditorium, a hostel on the pattern of a five-star hotel for foreign delegates, and a parking lot with space for 1,370 vehicles.

The project would be completed in three years, he said. The model mosque in the complex would accommodate about 6,500 faithful at one time while its basement, with a capacity of 3,000, would be used by women for prayers.

About the proposed auditorium, it was told that it would have a seating capacity of over 5,000 people while its basement and ground floor would be reserved for car parking purpose. Over 1,300 cars would be able to park at one time.

He said the proposed auditorium would also have a library, a convention centre, a reading room, a taleem-i-balighan centre, a language centre, a cafeteria, and a separate lounge, exclusively for women.

this is good,

is this new dubai project.

yup

Does Clifton has height limits? I absolutely hate height limits.

Northern By pass is done, right ? I saw the inuaguration video last year, and someone posted pictures of it too....

A flyover by hasan square is the best thing to do. The traffic jams that you get at hassan square are a pain in the arse.
So the mosque is being built in the plot shown above. Nice.

Why does Karachi NEED another Mosque??? I doubt that many people would pray together in the same plac any ways. Pathans probably go to Pathan run mosques, Mohajirs to Mohajir and everyone else to their own. Anyways, this is still a plus to Karachis Architecture soo...

... a summary had already been moved to the Sindh government and the chief minister’s advisor on local government, Wasim Akhtar, is likely to issue a notification in this regard.



big MQM bastard. the guy deserves to be dumped into a garbage can.

Why does Karachi NEED another Mosque??? I doubt that many people would pray together in the same plac any ways. Pathans probably go to Pathan run mosques, Mohajirs to Mohajir and everyone else to their own. Anyways, this is still a plus to Karachis Architecture soo...

not really. perhaps you should go to a mosque in karachi.

^^ Not really. Thats just the impression that people get now a days. A common mosque is always packed. Pathans or Mohajirs or Punjabis alike come to the same mosques unless the mosques are labelled as "hari pagri" and "kaali pagri". Which are usually small mosques. A big mosque is a requirement of this area to be honest. Because people have to travel really far away for Eid and all. So this should serve them good.

Sind Accountant General office (building designed 180,000 sq ft, project to commence), Karachi, won in design competition

http://www.nha.com.pk/images/ad3.jpg

Accountant General Sind’s head office covering 180,000 sq ft designed in 1988 as part of an advertised in newspapers government competition. We won this project in spite of the fact that this was a government building and NESPAK took part in this. This was to be a low-rise building to provide shade for its lower floors saving air-conditioning cost. That a second roof added on to provide a once in three month covered space for examinations also help reduce air-conditioned costs. This project id funded by the World Bank.

Its quite unusual design.. dunno whether to like it or not.

looks good

its good not bad. but the design looks like one of those water filter towers in my city.hahahaha

Couldn't they make it a normal glass building ? Rather than a water tower ? Mardan is right, it looks like a big water tower, with an oversized top.

Why wasnt it built?

because its too ugly to be built, and they were too concerned about spending any extra money on it so i think it was probably cancelled.

it looks well okay

reminds me off star wars lol

hahah funny, the building is ok. how come it reminds you of star wars

Futuristic Design and the big large top of the building

I like the idea of it being cost and energy saving, and if it is a stable building that will also be impressive. I'm not quite sure it can be though.

There isn't much information online about this!

KARACHI, July 30: The transport department of city government and traffic police have started preparations for developing “Food Street” in Karachi on the pattern of one in Lahore. The inauguration of Food Street at Burns Road is expected on Aug 14 on the occasion of Independence Day.

In order to review traffic arrangements for Food Street and related traffic plan, a meeting was held at CDGK’s transport and communication department. Among others, EDO Transport Dr Tahir Soomro, DIG Traffic Falak Khurshid, District Officer Planning Haider Ali, Secretary RTA Shamim Akhtar, and Road Safety Officer Zafar Ahsan attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that surveys were being conducted regarding traffic movement, parking and business timings. It was pointed out that surveys about locations of traffic accidents had been completed and two such locations had been identified where most accidents occurred while planning was in progress to reduce traffic accidents at 20 hazardous intersections.

In the light of “black spot” study report, steps would be taken to reduce the speed of vehicles at dangerous intersections. The meeting reviewed road safety education plan and it was decided that traffic police and transport department would work jointly for imparting road safety education to road users.

It was decided that a pedestrian bridge would be constructed near Shah Faisal flyover. Besides, a special channel will be constructed to provide access to ambulances from Sharea Faisal to the NICVD so that heart patients are transported without any delay. Earlier, DIG Traffic Falak Khurshid and EDO Transport Dr Tahir Soomro were briefed about Drivers Training Institute project. —APP

Source: Dawn July 31, 2005

Finally those jahils got it going!

And its a good thing they are opening on August 14 because it will bring in a hell of a lot of people!

Tallest fountain will also be inaugrated on Aug 14

that's great, i am really excited.

where is this supposed to be located?
when is the construction supposed to start?

the mall looks crazy

The food street being referred to on this thread is another food street near Burns Rd.
Here, I am reporting on the progress of the PORT GRAND food street to be made on the old Native Jetty bridge. Here are two photos of the site that show that levelling and strengthening work on the bridge is indeed going on as a prerequisite to construction.
I hope this project gets early and quality completion. IA.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2/swerveut/KarachiG0052.jpg


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2/swerveut/KarachiG0072.jpg


In these photos you can also see a Karachi tradition from some areas, where throngs of people gather on the Native Jetty bridge in the evening to feed the fishes that collect there (it is supposed to bring them good luck).

well did it open on 14th august.

I am not sure about the Burns road food street, you might have to dig up DAWN archives for that, but the fountain sure as hell didnt. And I am glad it didnt.

Food street project probably got delayed because of local body elections.

More levelling work near the Jinnah Bridge (is that what the port flyover is called?) for the PORT GRAND food street:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2/swerveut/Thesis21502.jpg

nice

Proposed Commecial Development - On Plot No.G- 6, Clifton, Block 7. - Karachi

The project is a mixed-use commercial development which comprises a world-class Mall on ground-plus-two levels, an Office Complex above podium levels, basement/ podium car parks along with recreational and adjunct facilities.

The project is being planned on a land parcel spanning 7,500 sq.yds in one of the most prominent business districts of the Karachi metropolis. Strategically positioned as a corner plot with two fold entrée, from both a primary as well as a secondary circulation artery, this piece of prime property ideally renders itself to be designed as a high-end mixed-use development, splicing public and semi-public activities in an integrated spatial programme, with dual access points respectively.

The project is being planned employing the most modern architectural themes and finishes, with state-of-the-art building management services, energy conservation techniques and ample car-parking space. The built-up area of the project is around 600,000 sq.ft.

The architectural concept design is being evolved wherein the functional and spatial building composition is zoned according to the primary and secondary access to the site. There are two basements that cater to the parking requirements of the retail mall, whilst three podium parking levels meet the parking provision of the office complex. To create flexibility in occupancy, the rentable office spaces are broken down into four different compositions which can be further bifurcated as per tenancy requirements. The required recreation spaces are woven into the office spaces to become usable semi-covered terraces and extensions in the sky. The retail mall would house internationally renowned chains/ franchises of departmental stores, designer shops and food courts.

Meinhardt Pakistan are responsible for complete project management, architectural & engineering design and construction supervision during execution phase. Currently, the architectural design is being developed with alternate options in order to maximize on the aesthetics, functionality and commercial viability aspects of the project.

Pakboy, it would be good if you can start quoting sources of your information

what is the source

http://www.meinhardtgroup.com/Common/NewsItemDisplay.asp?NewsID=174

Everything from news to project updates can be put in here!

Mass transit project to be ready by 2007


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Jan 30: Sindh Home Minister, Rauf Siddiqui has said that the Karachi Mass Transit Project (KMTP) will be completed by 2007. He said there was a dire need to improve the transportation system in the metropolitan on a priority basis as 40-50 year old buses are still plying on the roads.

Addressing the 20th anniversary of Hinopak Motors Ltd. (HML) on Saturday, he also assured of early resumption of urban transport scheme (UTS). It may be mentioned here that the local bus makers are facing problems due to slowdown in sales and production of buses owing to suspension of UTS. Investors have become reluctant to place orders for new buses with the local assemblers after finding their operations unfeasible due to rising diesel prices and cost of other inputs.

He said the city needs 8,000 buses in the next four to five years to solve the difficulties faced by the commuters.

Addressing the ceremony Consul General of Japan, Shoichi Nakana said that the Japanese government has supported investments in Pakistan over the years and has offered numerous opportunities through its economic aid package.

Chairman HML, Kunwar Idris, said that the local industry had the capacity to meet the growing needs of urban transport and urged the home minister to expedite an effective revival of the UTS with induction of new and environment friendly buses to take advantage of the local capabilities.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HML, K. Maeda said Hinopak holds 60 per cent market share in medium and large trucks and buses.

Director Sales and Marketing, Irfan Shaikh said that the company had launched three new models of buses and it intends to maintain its role as a leading manufacturer of trucks and buses.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/01/31/ebr17.htm

sounds like an empty promise... no details given

can we by any chance bring all the old posts back in here?

KARACHI: Allotment of land according to master plan ordered

KARACHI, Jan 30: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Monday directed the Sindh Board of Revenue and City District Government Karachi (CDGK) officials to only allot land in accordance with master plan, saying there should be no industrial activities in areas allotted for residential, recreational or educational purpose.

He was presiding over a meeting at Governor’s House here to review matters pertaining to low-cost housing schemes and progress in provision of facilities there.

Sindh chief secretary Fazlur Rehman, secretary of local government Ishaq Lashari, Karachi city nazim Mustafa Kamal, Malir Development Project director Amirzada Kohati, member, Land Utilisation Khalid Mehmud Soomro, principal secretary Salim Khan, DCO Karachi Fazlur Rehman and other officials attended the meeting.

Speaking to the meeting, Dr Ishartul Ibad asked officials concerned to chalk out a programme for construction of residential units for people with the co-operation of financial institutions and in this regard asked for pre-qualification of developers and carrying out the programme at minimum cost.

Under the programme, the pre-qualified developers, in cooperation with financial institutions, would build residential units for people on easy conditions.

There would be relaxation on payment for one year after the possession. After one year, the payment would be made on easy instalments for three years and after four years ordinary instalments would start.

The meeting also reviewed various measures being taken for provision of basic amenities to Taeser Town.

The governor stressed the need for saving land allotted for low-cost housing schemes from landgrabbers and making them a mean of business and asked officials concerned to enforce relevant laws in this regard.

Dr Ibad directed the officials to ensure implementation of ban on heavy vehicles’ entry beyond Hawkesbay truck stand. He stressed the need for discouraging industrial and such other activities at residential areas and recreational spots.

—PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2006/01/31/local4.htm

eh :sleepy: makes you wonder why so late?

KARACHI: Bryan Adams performs

KARACHI, Jan 30: The visiting Canadian rock star, Bryan Adams, performed at a concert ‘Rock for a Cause’ here at a local club on Sunday night, held under the banner of Shehzad Roy’s Zindagi Trust for the benefit of the Oct 8 quake victims.

The concert took place amid strict security. People mostly youngsters had arrived well before the appointed hour to get good seats, some as early as 5.30pm.

By the time the concert started at around 9pm, the food stalls had done most of the day’s business. The crowd cheered wildly as Bryan Adams and his band members took to their places on stage.

During a brief pause between performances Adams said that that Shehzad Roy had told him backstage that the Zindagi Trust would be able to build/rebuild some 20 schools with the amount raised from ticket sales.

The concert lasted for well over two hours. At the end of Adams performance a splendid fireworks display lit up the clear night sky.—Faisal Quraishi


http://www.dawn.com/2006/01/31/local14.htm

good one for Karachi! but why such a bland headline?

http://www.dawn.com/2006/01/30/images/local02.jpg

KARACHI, Jan 29: On the day the US issued a travel advisory for its citizens, advising them against travelling to Pakistan, it was heartening to see Canadian rock star Bryan Adams arrive in Karachi for the charity concert, Rock for a Cause, for Shehzad Roy’s Zindagi Trust.

“I have been playing in India for the last 10 years and being here is part of coming back here again,” said the singer known for hits such as Please Forgive Me and Everything I Do, I Do It for You that was also included in the soundtrack of the Hollywood flick, Robin Hood, starring Kevin Costner. Besides this, Adams is also an acclaimed fashion photographer and a philanthropist

Bryan Adams is a fairly popular name in the urban sector and his albums have fared quite well with the local populace. Answering a question about his latest album called Anthology that contains 32 tracks and is contained in two CDs; the singer said that he had been focusing more on touring than coming out with an album. However, he said that he would be starting work on a new album soon.

Talking about the reason for him being here, Adams said that he was intrigued by Zindagi Trust’s ‘I Am Paid to Learn’ programme, focusing on the quake-hit regions of Pakistan and rebuilding and opening new schools there. “It is a noble charity and I am proud to be a part of it,” he added.

During his brief question and answer session with the members of the press, Adams also said that he had just landed in Karachi and his visit would be of two days only. On the last day he will be flying off to Islamabad.

Earlier, speaking to newsmen, singer Shehzad Roy gave details of the charity concert that took place at the Arabian Sea Country Club on Sunday night.

He said that he hoped to raise Rs20 million from ticket sales as Bryan Adams was a very popular name in Pakistan.

Roy welcomed Adams to Karachi, Pakistan on behalf of the people of Pakistan in both English and then in Urdu, saying that it was great to have the Canadian singer here to lend support for a noble cause.

Among those who also spoke on the occasion included David Collins, the Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Samra Muslim of the Zindagi Trust, Ali Mehmood, Ahmed Khizar Khan and Salman Ahmed.



Source: http://www.dawn.com/2006/01/30/local2.htm

KARACHI: 5 marriage lawns on Sharea Faisal razed


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Jan 31: In a major move, the city government on Tuesday retrieved more than 25,000 square yards prized land situated along Sharea Faisal, near Karsaz from the clutches of a contractor who had set up five marriage lawns (Sabzazar) and a restaurant called ‘Mela’.

The demolition operation began in the wee hours of Tuesday on the orders of city Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, and by evening the dismantled structures and debris had been removed.

The marriage lawns and the restaurant were set up on the KWSB land. The board had initially handed over 15,000 square yards to its engineers and officers association in 1989 for launching welfare projects for KWSB employees.

However, the association’s club committee, which became independent after approving its own bye-laws, signed an agreement with a contractor, Malik Javed, in 1992 for two years for running marriage lawns.

The contractor had reportedly promised to construct the KWSB’s Club building and also to give some share from the income of the marriage lawns to the club committee.

However, a spokesman for the city government told Dawn that the contractor had only constructed a building for KWSB Officers’ Club behind the marriage lawns, but failed to undertake any other welfare project as pledged by him, and he minted money from marriage lawns and the Mela restaurant’s flourishing business during the last 13 years.

The contractor had also grabbed around 10,000 square yards more land of the KWSB situated in the periphery of the KWSB’s 9th-Mile offices, the spokesman added.

“Isn’t it an irony that water to the marriage lawns and the Mela restaurant was being provided by the KWSB free of cost and even the electricity charges were being paid by the KWSB,” he remarked, adding the KWSB managing director, Brig Iftikhar Haider, had already set up a committee to conduct a probe into the matter.

As the city nazim expressed his annoyance over misuse of the KWSB land, the KWSB’s Officers’ Club’s office-bearers and its management withdrew their agreement with the contractor recently.

Asked what plans the CDGK or the KWSB had chalked out for utilising the retrieved land, a senior official of the KWSB said the land might be utilized for commercial purpose once the plan is approved by the city nazim, and the income to be generated through the commercial ventures would help increase the KWSB income besides undertaking some welfare projects for KWSB employees.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/01/local6.htm

KARACHI: Pedestrian bridges’ project in doldrums

KARACHI, Jan 31: The proposed construction of seven out of a total of 28 pedestrian bridges remains in the doldrums following the cancellation of an agreement between the city government and one of the four sponsoring entrepreneurs, sources told Online on Tuesday.

The Universal Graphics and Developers (UGD) was to provide financial assistance for the construction of seven pedestrian bridges at different locations in the city, as per an agreement between the former and the city government in January 2005 on built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

Now, three private entrepreneurs will sponsor the construction of 21 pedestrian bridges in the city.

According to sources, the city government will either construct the respective seven bridges itself or get it done by a new private entrepreneur invited through tenders. However, no definite decision has so far been made in this regard, sources added.

When contacted, a city government official said the city government had unilaterally revoked the agreement with the UGD due to slow construction pace of work.

It was also learnt that at the time of agreement, the city government had assured the private entrepreneurs that 20-feet billboards containing advertisements of the respective entrepreneurs would be allowed against the pedestrian bridges. However, the measurement of the billboards was later confined to 10 feet, which created a dispute between the city government and the private entrepreneurs.

Consequently, the dispute was resolved after the private entrepreneurs bowed to the city government’s condition.

Since January 2005, only one pedestrian bridge has been constructed in the city, which was in front of Urdu University on the University Road.

As per agreement, the private entrepreneurs have to construct the respective pedestrian bridges within two years from the date of agreement.

According to an official estimate, each bridge will cost from Rs6 to Rs8 million.—Online


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/01/local18.htm

Its quite stupid to hear this, I mean stuff like Pedestrian Bridges etc. should be constructed by the City Govt. with their own money, instead of asking some party to do so, because in the end if the party withdraws then your done..

KARACHI: No more land for bus terminus, SHC told


By Shujaat Ali Khan

KARACHI, Feb 1: The city district government expressed on Wednesday its inability to allocate 200 acres to bus owners within the municipal limits in addition to plots of land already allotted for three bus terminals.

The city district government said in its comments on a petition moved by the Bus Owners Welfare Association that over 1,400 buses entered and left Karachi on a typical day. Inter-city travel for road transport to and from the city was possible through three points on Superhighway, National Highway and RCD Highway. The RCD Highway caters exclusively to inter-provincial transport while Superhighway serves both inter-city and inter-provincial traffic. The National Highway mostly serves locations in the interior of Sindh.

Besides 100 transport companies, individual owners operate buses on inter-city routes. They have established terminals at Banaras Chowk, Manghopir Road, Saddar, University Road, Karimabad, Rashid Minhas Road, M A Jinnah Road, Lea Market, Cantonment Railway Station, Mauripur Road and Shahrah-i-Pakistan. About 26 different routes using the city’s arterial road network tend to be preferred by the transporters. Most of the terminals have sprung up along the routes during the last few years. This has created serious traffic and environmental problems.

To ease the situation, the city district government submitted through Advocate Manzoor Ahmed that three terminals have been set up at the exit-entry points at Yousuf Goth along the RCD highway, at Razzaqabad on the National Highway and at Deh Bitti Amri at the Superhighway. To allow more terminals, particularly within the municipal limits, would increase congestion, cause traffic hazards and worsen air and noise pollution within the city. A Sindh High Court division bench ordered that a copy of the comments be furnished to the petitioner association and adjourned further hearing.

BILLBOARDS: Justice Gulzar Ahmed, meanwhile, issued the city district government a notice in a suit instituted by M/s Sign Source, an outdoor advertiser, against dismantling of hoardings installed by them for their corporate clients after paying dues and rent.

Advocate Navin Merchant submitted on behalf the plaintiff firm that it had erected the billboards on various sites under a renewable agreement valid till June 2006. The indiscriminate action being taken by the city district government was repugnant to the law and the CDGK’s contractual obligations. The court issued notice to the defendant government and restrained it from dismantling the hoardings in the meantime.

The contractor of the KWSB Officers and Engineers Association club has, meanwhile, moved a contempt application against the nazim and officials of the city district government for demolishing Sabzazar Lawns on Shahrea Faisal despite several stay orders passed by the court from time to time
(seems like the govt broke some rules here!).

Advocate Abul Inam said the latest orders was made as recently as Jan 25. Another application for appointment of a receiver and against interference in the affairs of the KWSB Officers Association and its club was moved on Tuesday. Both the injunction and contempt applications are listed for hearing by Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Thursday.



http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/02/local3.htm

KARACHI: Govt allocates Rs5bn for city transport

KARACHI, Feb 2: The City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, on Thursday said the federal government had allocated Rs5 billion for turning the transport system in Karachi environment friendly.

He said this at a workshop on ‘Public Partnership Based Environment Friendly Public Transport System for Karachi’. The event was jointly organized by the Planning and Development Commission of Pakistan, Sindh and the city government.

The nazim said the allocated amount would be utilized as a private-public sector collaborative effort during the next four years. Under the scheme, 8,000 CNG buses would be introduced in the city with the aim to prevent environmental pollution.

Addressing the event, which was attended by national and international experts, he said new technology had always been resisted because people in the field due to lack of understanding often considered it against their interest.

“Hence, in Karachi too, there are institutions and individuals who have frequently emerged as major hindrances in making public friendly improvement in the traffic system,” he lamented.

The initiative holds that deliberations and discourse with all relevant stakeholders and the city government was necessary to ensure that none of the public transporters including rickshaws, taxis, buses, and coaches (drivers and owners) felt that they were being deprived of their livelihood.

He said he was fully cognizant of the fact that thousands of people were dependent on the transport business and the city government would concentrate in improving their business on pragmatic lines with health safety provision for all.

“The local transporters themselves are extremely critical of the existent transport system in the metropolis,” he said, adding that the city government was committed to removing their grievances with all sincerity.

He said everyone needed to realize that an environment-friendly city with provisions for uninterrupted potable water supply and sound sanitation and pollution free atmosphere were prerequisites for all and required to attract investors.

Malik Zaheerul Islam, Director General, Karachi Mass Transit Cell, city government in his key note address, said the study covered the entire Karachi district encompassing the urban intra-city routes, which operate under the District Road Transport Authority (DRTA) bus route permits.

The goals and objectives included a comprehensive approach to the problems encompassing a sustainable Urban Transport System, which was responsive to passenger demand and commercially viable for the operators, he said.

The primary objectives included reviewing the existing situation and developing the concept of a mass transport system, which could meet passenger needs, while the secondary objectives were aimed at developing structures and mechanisms (including organizational, institutional and system networks) to implement and operate the system.

The DG Karachi Mass Transit Cell also referred to environmental consequences of the scheme in the context of replacing old buses with fleets of environment-friendly ones; promoting the use of CNG fuels; establishing a basis for environmental evaluation and so forth.

Mr Frits Olyslager, the Australian team leader for Environment Friendly Public Transport Project for Karachi, in his detailed presentation said the study undertook a comprehensive review of the existing situation, with particular focus on the regulatory and institutional frameworks that develop an operating and investment climate for buses and the required bus infrastructure and fuelling facilities.

He said issues related to institutional arrangements, specific constraints on the development of mass transit, traffic congestion and road developments coupled with government policies and social impacts were extensively reviewed.

It was on basis of the said review that the expert recommended the need to develop a commercially viable “business model” for the bus system, incorporating route planning and scheduling, promotion of bus rapid transit concepts and feasibility, and provision for route and infrastructure.

The expert said his team had also recommended structural reforms based on logical framework approach defining the strategic relationship between policy, organization, system management and operations.

Equal focus was also on fuel selection and technological advancements with provision for fleet management and passenger information system.

PIPE FACTORY: The city nazim on Thursday announced that the city’s pipe factory would be made fully functional, which would bring in a monthly income of Rs10 million to the city government.

He said this during a visit to the pipe factory early Thursday morning to take stock of the situation.

The nazim was informed during the briefing that Australian machinery, used the world over, was installed at the factory, and the factory with nine plants had the capacity to produce high quality RCC and pre-stressed pipes of six to 84 inches diameter.

Kamal expressing concern over that fact directed the concerned officials to take appropriate measures for making the factory fully functional. “The pipes from other factories should only be purchased in case there is a need for more pipes than that produced here.”—APP / PPI


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/03/local2.htm

KARACHI: 400 illegal billboards removed


By Azizullah Sharif

KARACHI, Feb 1: The city government’s revenue department in its ongoing campaign against unauthorized and mismanaged billboards has, so far, pulled down over 400 billboards in various parts of the city.

The drive began on Saturday evening on the directives of city Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, and is aimed at removing all billboards which have sprung up in every nook and corner of the city in a haphazard manner, distracting vision of drivers and posing a danger to lives of people, besides presenting an ugly look to passers-by.

The other motive of the campaign is to bring transparency in the out-door advertising business by updating and computerising the record of all the billboards as, at present, there is no reliable data concerning total number of billboards installed on roads and pavements, located in the limits of the city government as such things would not only help minimise chances of corruption in the CDGK’s local taxes department, but would also help increase revenue of the department, district officer, Hassan Naqvi told Dawn on Wednesday.

In fact, the drive was launched on Saturday evening and till Tuesday, 400 billboards have been pulled down by using heavy machinery and cranes from various parts of the city which include Nazimabad, Rizvia Society, Hawkwesbay, Shaheed-i-Millat Road, Sharea Faisal, Shahrah-e-Quideen, Clifton’s Do—Talwar area, Korangi’s Expressway, Korangi industrial area, Rashid Minhas Road, parts of Gulshan-i-Iqbal,” a spokesman for the city government said, reiterating that the campaign will continue until all billboards are pulled down in the city.

Insiders told Dawn that as a matter of fact the number of illegal billboards far exceeds the number of those mentioned in the CDGK record.

Admitting that the pace of removing billboards was slow, a senior official of the city government’s revenue department said as a matter of fact the task of pulling down a jumbo-sized heavy billboard was not only time-consuming, but the staff have to be extra cautious while undertaking such operations merely to ensure safety of people, as well as to avoid entangling of electricity and telephone wires with the falling billboards.

Asked whether the advertisers who had earlier assured the city government officials that they would voluntarily remove their billboards to facilitate the CDGK’s on-going campaign, an official said their response towards the drive is poor owing to some ‘uncalled for’ and ‘unrealistic’ apprehensions.

Allaying their fears that the challan money which they had paid for putting up a billboard might be wasted, the official said as a fact the City Nazim, Mustafa Kamal, has repeatedly assured the advertisers that such a fee would be adjusted once they are allowed to put up a new billboard as the aim of the drive was to bring transparency in advertising business by ensuring that the advertisement byelaws approved by the city council are implemented in letter and spirit and to eliminate chances of corruption in CDGK’s department concerned.

Agreeing with this scribe that it is the general practice throughout the world that the jumbo-sized billboards and other heavy signboards are not allowed near busy traffic intersections, central islands and at turning of roads and streets as they not only distract drivers but also block the vision of motorists, he replied: “Of course, we will definitely discourage advertisers not to put up heavy and attractive billboards near major traffic intersections, but for this, we will have to bring some improvement in the existing advertising byelaws.”

Asked whether the CDGK’s local taxes department intends to undertake a fresh survey of billboards in the city as, at present, there is no reliable data, he replied in the affirmative.

Quoting surveys carried out long time back by the out-door advertisers association, officials in the CDGK’s local taxes department said according to such surveys there are only around 3,000 billboards in the city and of them, 60 per cent are installed in the limits of different cantonment boards and 40 per cent in the jurisdiction of the city government.

However, a random visit of the city’s main roads and even link roads would show that the billboards which have sprung up near busy and major traffic intersections, flyovers, central islands and even on pavements, is much higher than the number mentioned in the so-called surveys.

PO&MAA: President of Pakistan Outdoor and Media Advertisers’ Association, Mohsin Durrani, on Wednesday, hailed the City Nazim for launching a campaign against illegal billboards in the city.

“Although initially we were earlier against such a campaign, but after having detailed deliberations with the CDGK’s local government department’s district officer, Hassan Naqvi, we have now come to the conclusion that the City Nazim’s drive against mushroom growth of billboards is a positive move as it will not only give boost to the outdoor advertising industry but will also help in bringing transparency in the local taxes department to facilitate advertisers.”

Referring to his meeting, he said that his association has, however, suggested to the district officer not to carry out such a drive in the entire city, simultaneously, but initially select one town and once the drive yields positive results, it can be extended to other towns.”


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/03/local5.htm

Construction activity picks up in Karachi: Return of workers

By Aamir Shafaat Khan

KARACHI, Feb 2: After a dull spell construction activity is picking up in the city. There was massive exodus of workers after October 8 earthquake, but now the majority of workers have returned from the quake-hit areas.

The construction activity had come to a halt in the city soon after the October 8 tragedy in the northern parts of Pakistan. Sponsors and builders, who had started their projects just before October 8, had to shelve the expensive media publicity of their mega projects due to the buyers’ reluctance to buy property and make advance booking. The builders had not shelved their projects but witnessed phenomenal decline in advance booking of flats, apartments and houses.

Now builders and developers have resumed their print and electronic media campaigns. One can see the newspapers loaded with advertisements of many projects. Many TV channels are also running their advertisements.

The property hunters, shocked by huge casualties in the earthquake, now appear to have recovered from the trauma. The builders have smelled the change and finally decided to re-launch their projects’ campaigns.

Workers and labourers are now visible on the site of various projects. However, it is hard to ascertain the exact number of workers’ who have returned from the upcountry. In fact, there is no firm data on the exact number of workers who left Karachi for Mansehra, Kashmir, Balakot and the NWFP. Some say the figure is around 40,000, while others put it over 150,000.

Chairman Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), Hafeez ur Rahman Butt, said that 80-85 per cent workers had landed back in the city from the quake affected areas. Workers from these areas have expertise in shuttering and billet binding.

“Construction activities have actually been restored from January 2006,” he said adding that since the snowfall has engulfed most of the northern parts -the workers opted to return to Karachi to resume their work. He said no project was shelved because of the tragedy.

The former ABAD chairman, Babar Mirza Chughtai, was of the view that only 30 to 40 per cent workers had returned becaue most of them were waiting for the compensation cheques. “100 per cent workers have yet to arrive from the affected areas,” he added.

In stark contrast to the builders’ claims regarding downward trend in construction activity in the city after October 8, and subsequent recovery in January 2006, a cement-maker said that his business was not affected at all through this period and cement sales have been normal since October, 2005.

The executive director, Lucky Cement Limited, Abdul Razzak Thaplawala said that a slight drop in sales in November and December 2005 was because of holidays of two Eids followed by winter season in which construction activities remained laggard owing to short daylight. There has been a seasonal affect in cement sales all over Pakistan and not because of the earthquake tragedy, he added.

Executive member of Pakistan Sanitary Merchants and Manufacturers Association (PSMMA), M. Amin Lasania, said that 100 per cent workers of sanitary and tiles fitting belonging to the quake-hit areas have yet to arrive in the city.

“I think that 15-20 per cent labour is still short,” he said adding that perhaps many labourers are waiting for the aid in cash and kind from the government.

He said as far as sales of sanitary and tiles are concerned ,it has been normal these days. However, the only problem is the shortage of transporters for taking our goods to destinations in Punjab. Transporters are charging Rs35,000 to Rs40,000 for a 20ft container for taking goods to Punjab as compared to Rs26,000-27,000 before the earthquake. Many transporters have not returned to Karachi as they are engaged in inter-city movement of relief items.

All Pakistan Marble Mining Processors and Exporters Association Chairman Sanaullah Khan said that 90 per cent of the saw operators and heavy machine operators belonging to Mansehra and Shinkiari, who had left Karachi, have arrived just few days ahead of Eid ul Azha.

He said due to the suspension of construction activities, marble sales had dropped by over 50 per cent in Karachi after October 8, and also in other parts of the country. “With the resumption of construction activity - our work has also started,” Sanaullah said.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/03/ebr1.htm

KARACHI: 400 illegal billboards removed


Something similar needs to be done in Lahore... PHA has become way too money-hungry!

Swimming against the tide

By Azfar-ul-Ashfaque

Last week, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal completed his first hundred days in office. He took oath as City Nazim on October 17, 2005, and during the first 100 days, he shared his envisioned policies to the officials of the City District Government, Karachi (CDGK). Obviously, in this short span of time, he tried to develop a rapport on various issues of the metropolis as well as the CDGK and it seems that he was successful.

The completion of his 100 days is marked by the launching of a controversial drive against legal or illegal billboards installed in every nook and corner of the metropolis and demolition of marriage lawns built on the land of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) on Shara-e-Faisal. However, it is also a fact to contend with of fact that the Sindh High Court has issued stay order in favour of owner of the marriage lawns and some of the advertisers, whose billboards were being removed from different city areas. Seems his way is being paved to hell with all good intentions.

Besides, during these 100 days, the citizens of Karachi see no visible improvement in the shoddy transport system while the health and educational facilities remain as they were before took on the reins of office. And yes, the supply of potable water and the sewerage system in most parts of the metropolis also clamours for improvement. Still, people living in different localities used to buy water for drinking purpose but hundreds of thousands of people have no other option except to use contaminated water. Similarly, very often the City Nazim announced that 1000 new buses would be brought into the metropolis but so far the number of such busses is less than 100.

Notwithstanding the fact that the City Nazim announced many uplift programmes, the overall situation of the city has not changed. Certainly, it is impossible for any leader to bring about improvement in a system that is a shambles within a short span of 100 days. One cannot ignore good arrangements taken by the city government during the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. The prompt removal of offals of sacrificial animals was widely appreciated and people are hopeful that the state of cleanliness witnessed during the Eid-ul-Azha days will continue.

A number of development projects are going on in the city, including carpeting and construction of roads. However, at the grassroots level, the situation has not changed. Roads are still in a dilapidated condition and overflow of sewage is commonly seen in many localities of the city. The City Nazim cannot resolve all these problems alone. Yes, there are a number of schemes for which funds are being allocated but people want speedy implementation.

Many believe that the performance of the City Nazim could only improve when all Nazims of the 18 towns and representatives of each and every union council are taken onboard, as success calls for teamwork. It is a common perception that except Mustafa Kamal, all of his team members are completely adrift and doing whatever they want. This impression should be dispelled forthwith.

Instead of getting involved in petty matters, the City Nazim should work on his schemes, including the Mega City project on a priority basis so that the implementation phase could begin at the earliest and people could see good results. A hundred days have gone by and his honeymoon period is now over. One believes that during this period Mustafa Kamal has set his direction. Now comes the time for implementation.

$10m ADB loan for Karachi projects


By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Feb 3: The Asian Development Bank on Friday announced to provide a $10 million loan to Sindh government to meet long-term improvement of Karachi’s infrastructure.

The loan would cover 75 per cent of the project’s total estimated cost of $13.33 million. The loan comes from ADB’s concessional Asian Development Fund and carries a 32-year term, including a grace period of eight years. Interest is to be charged at an annual rate of one per cent during the grace period and then at 1.5 per cent.

The Sindh government would contribute an equivalent of $3.33 million in local currency. The executing agency for the project is the Sindh Finance Department and the plan is due for completion in January 2010.

The loan would help address long-term and holistic development needs of Karachi, contributing to a sustainable improvement in the quality of life of its residents, an ADB announcement said.

Karachi, with a population of more than 12 million people, accounts for 95 per cent of the country’s foreign trade and contributes 30 per cent to Pakistan’s industrial production.

The ADB said despite significant expansion in the city’s economy and population, few investments had been made in the city’s urban infrastructure over the past two decades, resulting in haphazard development, a polluted urban environment, and, for many, a poor quality of life.

“Infrastructure and services that are inadequate and unreliable are adding to business and household costs, harming Karachi’s urban and natural environments, and decreasing the city’s global competitiveness compared with alternative Asian mega cities,” says Gulfer Cezayirli, ADB’s senior urban development specialist.

The loan will provide resources for the City District Government of Karachi, the town municipal administrations, and utilities to improve their city planning, management, and financing, as well as in applying commercial principles in the provision of infrastructure and services.

It will then help prepare projects for expanding and improving the mega city’s infrastructure and services that may be funded by ADB in its lending programme for Karachi over the next four years.

Priority projects to be prepared cover water, sewerage, and drainage; solid waste management; roads and transport; and upgrading of informal settlements.

The project will also establish an innovative financing vehicle for the mega city’s infrastructure and services that will act as a means to channel development funds to the city, a catalyst for reforming the city agencies, and an agent to mobilize funds from nongovernment sources for large-scale capital investment needs.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/04/nat10.htm

KARACHI: The water jet and other gimmicks


By Maheen A. Rashdi

KARACHI: THE debate concerning the Karachi Port Trust’s water jet fountain refuses to settle. There is a barrage of comments in newspapers almost daily by concerned citizens regarding the necessity of constructing this ‘second largest fountain,’ not to mention the reactions voiced in private gatherings.

The arguments discussing the efficacy (or the lack thereof) and the superfluity of this enormous structure, built for a whopping amount of Rs225 million, have brought on reactions by the KPT which has given even more prominence to the irrelevancy of this fountain in a city where crucial development in key areas is crying out for attention.

Whereas it is understood that it is not the KPT’s job to undertake development work in the city, it should also be appreciated that if there is money to throw around on cosmetic monuments, it should be spent where most needed.

And if such a structure is required for the beautification of the city shouldn’t the citizens’ views be taken before the construction of the monument? Since no consensus was attempted and neither senior town planners were consulted, it is only prudent that the KPT now allows people to give their opinion –- after all not all gifts are welcomed by the recipients!

Besides, there are a number of logical reasons for the highly critical response of the public which the port authorities must take time out to consider instead of taking up cudgels in reaction.

The Karachi Port Trust is a semi-government, autonomous body, coming under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Any work undertaken by the Port Trust is mandated through its ‘Ports and Shipping Act’ to be specifically for port activities and port development.

Whereas the money generated by the KPT is not taxpayers’ money as it is earned through its berthing and other activities taking place within the port, it must however be invested back specifically for port development, as per the Act.

When the KPT offered to build the underpass it is assumed that they answered the President’s call for help to private enterprises in revamping Karachi when announcing the Rs29 billion Karachi package. Subsequently, when the underpass was inaugurated with fanfare, the KPT announced it to be a gift for Karachi and its people.

While no consensus was taken even for the construction of the underpass to include comments by representatives of the civil society, the project was at least aimed at improving road networking in the city, hence there was no objection.

Now with the second gift – the second largest water jet fountain – coming less than four months later, critics opine that it is perhaps to divert attention from the shortcomings of ‘the Pass’ which has not addressed the issue of traffic jams in the area which was once the Schon Circle.

Well, why else would a useless contraption be touted about so much in the media as ‘a landmark providing an identity to a nation’, not to mention the legitimacy given to it through the inauguration ceremony by President Musharraf.

How is it ‘identifying’ us as a developed nation when over 35 per cent of the ‘nationals’ lie below the poverty line? One reader put it quite aptly when he wrote in a letter to Dawn, stating, “this attempt at, self-glorification reminds one of the medieval times when kings used to indulge in ostentatious displays!”

The KPT is now stating that it plans to spend Rs4.5 billion on another project which includes deepening of the harbour’s draft among other things. But one would like to advise KPT officials, not to repeat the mistake by hastily taking up anymore projects to divert attention yet another time.

According to senior experts, the dredging project mentioned is not worth the money involved as simply dredging the harbour to increase depth will not allow large ships into the port since the mouth of the port is naturally narrow and if there is no ‘turnaround’ space available, the ships would still be unable to enter.

In fact, most of the projects stated in the Karachi Port Trust report are being critically viewed by retired officers who have years of experience in port operations.

The Karachi Port Trust has also announced a number of other beautification and recreational projects which it intends to make operational in about a year’s time.

These include a food street near the Native Jetty Bridge and its adjoining areas and a 100-storyed tower, which according to a handout will be a ‘commercial cum recreational centre’ integrating into Karachi’s skyline and its main feature is its commercial complex, residential estate and resorts, along with a viewing gallery offering a panoramic view of the skyline.

With Karachi’s environmentalists already lamenting the beach wall built along the coastline which hampers the view of the sea, how the new projects of purely commercial value would go down with the citizens still unclear.

The KPT’s jurisdiction extends from the breakwater tip to a three-mile radius towards the sea which includes part of the land along Sea View and Clifton beach where it is the Port’s duty to ensure that no environmental hazard is taking place.

With such grandiose plans in mind, has the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) approached the city architects and environment experts for consultations? And more importantly has an Environmental Impact Assessment been carried out for such extensive construction near the coastline where normally the beaches are left un-tampered so that their natural beauty remains unhindered and approachable for general public?

Since the fountain has come under such heavy criticism, the KPT should smarten up to the fact that the people of Karachi are a realist, hardworking entity not easily impressed by superficial grandeur.

They toil hard to earn their bread (meagre or large) and to keep a roof over their head. Theirs is a daily battle with broken roads, traffic jams, water shortage and electricity problems.

It would be better that future steps taken for the citizens or any surprise gifts, especially which fall under the ‘largest, tallest and biggest’ capacity, are first whetted by civil experts before being disbursed.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/04/local11.htm

Inshallah the Wapda plan will solve the electricity crisis in Pakistan. Have you ever read the proposal?

not really, please post it in the appropriate thread if you have the article on it.

KARACHI: Atmosphere ideal for investment: Grant

KARACHI, Feb 3: The British High Commissioner in Pakistan, Mark Lyall Grant, observed that the environment of Karachi was conducive to investment, saying British investors are keen in making investments in the city.

He was talking to City Nazim Mustafa Kamal at the nazim’s office here on Friday. British deputy high commissioner in Karachi Hamish Daniel was also present.

Mr Grant said that Britain was making large investments in Pakistan and told the city nazim that the British investors were ready to make more investments particularly in Karachi.

The city nazim told the guest that Karachi was the economic and business centre not only of the country but also of the region, adding that the country’s largest industrial zone was present here and it had vast opportunities for investors. He assured the envoy that the city government would provide every possible facility to the investors on a public-private partnership basis.

The city nazim said that investors were taking keen interest in making investments in the metropolis due to its peaceful environment and a Malaysian company had expressed interest in construction of a flyover from Quaidabad, Landhi to Jinnah Bridge, Tower that would be the Southern Bypass. Similarly, there are opportunities to investments in the circular railway, transport and other sectors, he added.

The nazim told Mr Grant that the city government had banned auction of land and would launch projects on them on basis of public-private partnership that would be a its permanent source of revenue.

He informed that locations had been chosen to build 30 parking plazas and work started with Rs2 billion for infrastructure uplift of the industrial zones.

Meets Ibad: The British high commissioner along with the Deputy High Commissioner, Hamish Daniel, also called on the Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, at the Governor’s House.

During the meeting various matters of significance including education, health and investment came under discussion.

The Sindh governor said that Karachi was the emerging economic hub of the region and the local as well as foreign investors were taking interest in expanding their business in the city as well as in other parts of the province.—PPI/APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/04/local3.htm

Is the KPT fountain private?

Apple Store Coming to Karachi

Good news for all computer lovers!

The Apple Store is finally opening in Karachi. The store is located on Khyban-e-Ittehad, right across KFC and Indulge and it will be open it's doors on Feb 12, 2006.

I don't have a article; I found it at a blog.

KARACHI: Computerization of land records begins


KARACHI, Feb 4: The city government has started computerizing the land records of the defunct Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC).

This is being done on the directives of the City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, said a statement on Saturday.

It was pointed out that for computerizing the KDA’s records, three schemes had been taken up in the first phase. While work for computerizing the records of the KMC has also been started.

The Information Technology Department has started work in this connection, it was said.

The CDGK has also initiated a survey of its property, the statement added.

The nazim directed that a survey of all city government buildings should be carried out and a complete report of this should be presented, while pointing out the purpose a building is being used for so its rightful usage could be ensured.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/05/local11.htm

Good job!

It will help combat the land mafia!

Pakistan : Governor takes stock of Textile city project
February 6, 2006


Governor of Sindh, Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan sought speedier completion of the establishment of Pakistan Textile City, next to Port Qasim, in Karachi, yesterday.

He took stock of the progress at a high level meeting at the Governor House to review its progress.

Dr. Ebad said that the textile city will provide increased employment opportunities to the people and about 80,000 people will get jobs.

For proper implementation of the project, he asked the City Government, Sindh Board of Revenue and Port Qasim besides Textile City Board to coordinated their efforts.

The Governor directed officials to make provisions for 300 acres of land for establishing a Garment City adjacent to the Textile City and 500 acres of land for employees residence.

Federal Minister for Textiles, Mushtaq Cheema, Chairman Port Qasim Authority, Vice Admiral Muhammad Asad Qureshi, Federal Textile Secretary, Masood Alam Rizvi, City Nazim, Mustafa Kamal, Chairman Pakistan Textile City Limited, Deewan Yousuf Farooqui, Directors S.M. Muneer, Abdur Razzaq, Zafar Iqbal and Chief Executive Zaheer Hussain and other officials attended the meeting.

KARACHI: Road repair projects in doldrums

By Azizullah Sharif

KARACHI, Feb 5: Work on a dozen of ongoing development projects, mostly related to road construction, has either come to a grinding halt or progressing at a snail’s pace, causing hardships to motorists and inconvenience to pedestrians.

In addition to such projects, a number of major thoroughfares and service roads are lying in a dilapidated condition.

The uplift plans, most of which were initiated under the Tameer-i-Karachi Programme, but work on them is stopped include reconstruction of New M.A. Jinnah Road (from Islamia College to Jail Chowrangi traffic intersection), Rashid Minhas Road (from Aladin Park to Gulshan Chowrangi), Korangi’s 12000 and 8000 Roads, Shah Faisal bridge to link Shah Faisal Colony with Korangi industrial area, I.I. Chundrigar Road’s beautification plan, bridge linking Mai Kolachi with I.I. Chundrigar Road, widening of Business Recorder Road, Gulshan’s Women Complex, widening of road connecting Gulshan-i-Iqbal’s Block 13-D with Gillani Railway Station’s level crossing, Gharibabad Underpass and Hassan Square Flyover, etc.

The roads and service lanes, which had developed craters and deep potholes since long, include PIB Road (from Tin Hatti traffic intersection to PIB Colony’s main entrance), another major road from central prison’s main gate to Jail Chowrangi, Aisha Aziz Road near Khudadad Colony and a major service road of Gulshan-i-Iqbal from Hassan Square to Ashfaq Memorial Hospital.

Sources in the city government attribute the delay in undertaking such works to the city government’s own poor financial position as well as to non-receipts of funds from different stake-holders who had pledged to finance some vital projects under the Tameer-i-Karachi.

Work on New M.A. Jinnah Road (from Islamia College to Jail traffic intersection) had begun about six months back and since then a heavy volume of vehicular traffic either heading towards M.A. Jinnah Road, Gurumandir or towards Civic Centre, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulistan Jauhar, Malir Cantonment, has no choice but to take the streets of Kashmir Road and as a result of which traffic usually remain choked on the alternative route throughout the day, in general and during peak hours, in particular.

Sources in the city government claimed that although PIA which was financing the New M.A. Jinnah Road project under Tameer-i-Karachi Programme had earlier promised to provide the partial payment for the project in January, it has not been able to do so on one pretext or the other.

About two months back when DCO Karachi Fazalur Rehman was informed that motorists had been experiencing hardships in the wake of continued closure of the main thoroughfare (New M.A. Jinnah Road), he had told this correspondent that though the PIA would be providing funds for the project in January, the city government with a view to avoid delay in its reconstruction would spend money on the project from its own resources and would adjust the same after getting the promised amount from the PIA. However, work on the project is still abandoned causing inconvenience to a large number of motorists.

Another project which was aimed at linking I.I. Chundrigar Road with Mai Kolachi has not yet taken off nor has the work on much-publicized Gharibabad underpass project started yet.

Work on Hassan Square flyover is progressing at a snail’s pace while work on Shah Faisal Bridge, which was initiated to link Shah Faisal Colony with Korangi industrial area, has been abandoned reportedly owing to its high cost amounting to over one billion rupees. Similarly, work on Sohrab Goth Flyover, which was progressing satisfactorily till recently, has also been stopped owing to financial problems faced by city government.

In Gulshan-i-Iqbal, almost the entire service road from Hassan Square to Ashfaq Memorial Hospital has become impassable owing to its dilapidated condition. Area residents held the owners of barbecue houses and fast-food restaurants responsible for causing extensive damage to the service road as they have not only occupied the pavement and footpath to serve their customers, forcing the pedestrians to walk amidst the vehicular traffic, but also throw all sorts of rubbish and leftover food items on the service lane.



http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/06/local13.htm

something to think about: how did the CDGK fall into such a financial crises since the new nazim took over??

KARACHI: Rs1.77bn new projects to be launched this month

KARACHI, Feb 6: The city government is initiating new projects worth Rs1.77 billion during the current month and will ensure expeditious work on these projects which would be launched after Ashura.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal will lay foundation stones of the projects for which tenders have already been invited and final approval accorded. These projects include the repair and improvement of nullahs in Islam Nagar, Orangi (Rs16.7 million), construction and repair of the nullah from Siddique Abad to Gulzar-i-Mohammad Colony, Orangi (Rs62 million) and construction and repair of the nullah in Mianwali Colony (Rs27.5 million).

The other projects are a traffic bridge from Sharea Faisal to Mehmoodabad via Channesar Halt (Rs942.9 million), an underpass at Ibne Seena Road, Nazimabad Chowrangi No-2 (Rs329.5 million), a bridge linking Tipu Sultan Road with Sharea Faisal (Rs 156.4 million), road linking Teen Hatti with Sharea Faisal (Rs 126.7 million), construction of Banaras Chowk-Pirabad section of Manghopir Road (Rs8.8 million), a bridge near the National Stadium (Rs399.5 million) and improvement of municipal waste disposal system (Rs6.5 million).

The city nazim had given his approval to these projects over the past three months. After their approval from the DDWP also, these projects are now ready to be executed.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has said that foreign investors are taking keen interest in making investments in Karachi.

He was talking to the Ambassador of France Regis de Belenet who called on him here on Monday. French Counsel General Pierre Seillan was also present at the meeting.

Mr Kamal told the diplomats that envoys from several developed countries had been in constant touch with the city government viz-a-viz investment. He hoped that Karachi would very soon become a major centre of trade activities in the region.

The city nazim welcomed the French firms which had shown their interest in making investments in the city, and said that talks with two French companies, intending to set up a vehicle factory and a water treatment plant, were under way.

He told the diplomats that the city government was focusing on improving the infrastructure of the city. The roads and sanitary conditions could not be improved until the water and sewerage system was streamlined, he observed, adding that the city government had attached priority to water and sewerage sectors. He said that road-cleaning machinery worth Rs650 million had now been purchased for the first time in the history of Karachi.

Mustafa Kamal told the French visitors that he was striving hard to replace the negative image of the city with a positive one and make Karachi a peaceful and ideal city for foreign investment. The efforts were proving successful, he added.

The city nazim also briefed that French envoy about the uplift schemes, particularly those requiring foreign investment, being executed in the city.

The French ambassador told the nazim that the civil engineering sector was particularly attractive to French firms. He said that a French firm wanted to set up a vehicle plant with a capacity of producing 15,000 vehicles.

He said that many more French companies were interested in make investment in Karachi in different sectors.

—PPI


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/07/local5.htm

KARACHI: Rs120m worth machinery for cleanliness

KARACHI, Feb 8: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has approved the purchase of machinery worth Rs120 million so that the cleanliness system of the city could be improved.

In the first phase, 30 latest machines has be purchased from Germany at a cost of Rs54 million which will be used for cleaning and washing roads, an official statement here on Wednesday said.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad will inaugurate the use of these machines in Gulshan-i-Jinnah on Feb 11.

For the first time in Karachi’s history, such heavy machinery is being imported for municipal purpose. Each machine’s cost is Rs1.8 million. Machinery of Rs65 million is also being purchased to strengthen the solid-waste management in the city. — APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/09/local6.htm

KARACHI: Secret cameras

KARACHI, Feb 11: Wireless cameras have been installed on all entrance and exit routes of the city to curb car lifting and snatching, which was increasing day by day. The cameras would function round the clock and would automatically take close pictures of people travelling in vehicles as well as vehicles’ number plates.—Online
http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/12/local7.htm

KARACHI: Mechanized road sweeping begins

KARACHI, Feb 11: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Saturday inaugurated mechanized sweeping of city roads after a gap of more than five decades and termed it as “conceptual transformation of vision and attitude” towards civic needs.

Speaking at a ceremony held here to mark the inauguration of 30 marathon mechanical sweepers, he said sanitation, traffic and three utilities (water, power and gas) directly affect every segment of society and revival of mechanized sweeping is a laudable step taken by the City District Government Karachi.

He said induction of new innovations, like privatization of solid waste management, and making it a night-time process will, in the long run, facilitate people.

Initially, the machines will operate on 28 major streets and later operations will be extended to other roads.

“This (mechanized sweeping) seems to be small deal but it will only benefit public,” he said and called for positive approach towards new developments rather than aimless criticism.

Ibad said water availability is a crucial issue for Karachi and CDGK’s initiative to ensure completion of K-III project, hopefully by March, along with finalization of distribution network would greatly facilitate citizens.

Acknowledging the multiple problems faced by the metropolis, he assured full support of provincial and federal governments to CDGK in its uplift projects.

He lauded the law-enforcing agencies, CDGK, clerics and people for maintaining peace and harmony during first 10 sacred days of Muharram.

The multi-purpose mechanized sweepers have been imported from Turkey at a cost of Rs1.45 million each and will require tractor with draw-bar to pull the machine for sweeping.

It can sweep a tract of Sharea Faisal up to eight kilometres in just eight hours and provides 60 to 80 times more output than manual sweepers.

City Nazim Karachi Mustafa Kamal said that the City District Government Karachi had contributed for mechanical sweepers from its own kitty, without slashing funds of ongoing schemes. He said that the CDGK and its tiers are moving forward without any discrimination.

“We look forward to support from everyone in our endeavour to develop the city,” he said referring to diplomats and others present on the occasion.

A large number of people, including Local Govt Advisor Waseem Akhtar, Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, political leaders, CDGK officials, town Nazims, Naib Nazims and others also attended the ceremony.—PPI



http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/12/local4.htm

KARACHI: Six-lane motorway soon, says minister

KARACHI, Feb 11: Federal Minister for Communications Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui has said that a six-lane Karachi-Hyderabad motorway project would be launched soon whereas the four-lane Karachi-Peshawar motorway would be completed by 2012.

The minister was talking to newsmen during his visit to Nooriabad-Hyderabad section of the highway to inspect progress of the project on Saturday.

He noted that the work on this project, being executed under the National Highway improvement programme, was in full swing and would be completed in October this year.

Regarding the rehabilitation of the affected families of the Lyari Expressway project, he said the government was giving every affected family an alternative plot and Rs50,000 in compensation. Hopefully, the rehabilitation work would be completed by June 2007, he said in reply to a question.

The minister directed the authorities concerned to take appropriate measures with regard to the safety plan to improve traffic management with a view to prevent causalities on Supper Highway.—Online

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/12/local6.htm

KARACHI: Illegal construction at protected site

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/13/SlideShow/pic08.jpg

By Bhagwandas

KARACHI, Feb 12: Illegal construction activities are being carried out in the N.J.V. High School, which is protected under the Sindh Cultural Heritage Protection Act (SCHPA), it is learnt.

According to sources, the illegal construction work is being under taken under the supervision of the city government’s works and services department and is being implemented by a private constructor.

Nobody including the owner could carryout any construction, repairs, restoration work in a building protected under the SCHPA, which prescribes long prison terms and heavy fines for violators.

A permission/NOC from the Advisory Committee on Cultural Affairs being headed by the Sindh chief secretary is required before carrying out any construction activity in the protected building.

All the flooring in the pre-partition ground plus two-storeyed school building, located on the M.A. Jinnah Road, has been pulled out and is to be replaced with tiles, marble etc.

Some partition walls had been pulled down while some others are to be constructed besides work was also being done on the ceiling of different rooms on different floors. While a large number of doors, windows etc, made of Burma teak had been taken out, and some repair work was being done on these. Some of these doors, window etc are also to be replaced.

Originally the “chuna – jute” plaster was used in the solid sand stone building, which over the years had deteriorated. It has been pulled out and was being replaced with cement concrete plaster.

Responding to Dawn queries on Tuesday Sindh Culture Department’s Additional Secretary Rabia Javery Agha said neither had anybody applied for the permission / NOC to carry out work in the school building nor had any such permission been issued by the department.

Confirming that the school building was protected under the SCHPA she said that it was a historical building and being one of the first government schools in the city it was constructed over 150 years back. The Sindh Assembly also held its sessions in this building for some time after the partition, as the original building of the Sindh Assembly was used by the federal government – as Karachi was the federal capital at that time.

Sources said that the Sindh Culture Department has also written a letter to the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) on the subject of illegal construction in the N.J.V. High School.

The letter informing the KBCA chief controller regarding the illegal construction directs him “you are therefore requested to inspect the site and make arrangements to stop the illegal construction if any.”

Talking to Dawn on Tuesday EDO Works and Services Syed Sarfaraz Ali Shah said that the Sindh Culture Department would be approached to get the necessary permission / certificate, soon.

The sources said that the government departments – Sindh Culture Department, KBCA etc – usually took immediate steps, when such illegal construction activities were carried out by private parties, but were reluctant to take any action when the illegal construction activities were carried out by any government organization.

Citing examples of the illegal construction activities carried out by different government organizations they said that the Pakistan Rangers constructed buildings in their temporary headquarter in Jinnah Courts without permission, shops were constructed by the Sindh High Court, construction was being carried out in the Customs House, a bungalow had been demolished by the army at the Lucky Star in Saddar, an old building was demolished by the cantonment board near the Arts Council, the house of Jehangir Kothari, a philanthropist who had donated the land on which Clifton resort has been developed, has been pulled down by the city government while carrying out the development work for a park recently, but the culture department as well as the KBCA had failed to take any punitive action against the SCHPA violations carried out by these organizations.

The sources said that an impression was being created among the people that only the private people were being targeted while government organizations were being treated as above the law.

They demanded that everybody should be treated as equal and similar action should be taken against all the SCHPA violators, so the credibility of the government could be established.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/13/local3.htm

KARACHI: Tanneries told to install treatment plants

KARACHI, Feb 12: Taking note of the press reports that the discharge of poisonous effluent of factories had caused death of a large number of fish, Sindh Environment Adviser Noman Saigal asked tanneries and other chemical industries to stop forthwith the discharge of poisonous effluent and install treatment plants within 15 days or be prepared to face the action under the law.

He said this during his visit to Ibrahim Hyderi and other areas along the coast on Sunday where huge stocks of dead fish were washed ashore on Thursday last.

Area people told the adviser that poisonous effluents were responsible for air and marine pollution. The effluents after getting mixed up with water supplied to people also resulted in spread of several diseases, he was informed.

They demanded action against the factories discharging the poisonous chemicals as it had posed serious threat to the livelihood of local fishermen.

Noman Saigal directed the officials of Environmental Protection Agency to issue notices with immediate effect to the tanneries and other chemical factories to stop discharging poisonous chemicals forthwith and install treatment plants in 15 days or otherwise their pipelines would be removed besides other legal actions. “In case of violation of the environmental laws, the factories could be sealed off as well,” he warned.

He said that the government would not allow any factory to play with the human lives. He also got samples of water discharged to Ibrahim Hyderi and sent the same to laboratories for testing. —PPI



http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/13/local11.htm

KARACHI: Privatization of solid waste system from 15th: nazim

KARACHI, Feb 12: The City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, on Sunday said that the solid waste management system in Karachi was being privatized from Feb 15 at town levels.

Addressing a meeting of town nazims, naib nazims and TMOs at his office, he said the city government had finalized steps to ink agreements regarding the privatization of solid waste management with private companies.

He added that a strategy regarding the matter would be chalked out later.

He told the meeting that various international companies had contacted the city government regarding the privatization of solid waste management, and only local companies, which had submitted tenders for lifting garbage from Feb 15, would be engaged in the first phase.

Kamal said improving the city’s sanitary conditions was the city government’s first priority, and that it was ready to bear extra expenses in this regard, “but steps for ensuring a 100 per cent lifting of garbage would be ensured”.

He said the city’s roads were being washed after a lapse of 50 years, adding that his administration had imported 28 road washing machines in just three months.

He said after the mechanized road-washing, Karachiites would feel a difference.

He said during the first phase, 28 main roads of the city would be cleansed through these machines.

He said after the setting up of garbage transfer stations, improving landfill sites and raising the number of machinery, the system of solid waste management would be improved.

The meeting decided to initiate a comprehensive drive against encroachments in the city, and towns would be selected in this regard in phases according to surveys conducted by these towns.

The meeting decided that union council administrations would now penalize those builders or landlords, who throw debris or put construction material on the roads.—PPI


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/13/local16.htm

KARACHI: Old KMC building to be opened once a week

KARACHI, Feb 12: The city government has decided to open the historical building of defunct Karachi Municipal Corporation for general public and tourists once a week.

The decision was taken in a meeting presided over by Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil. EDO Community Development Rehana Saif, EDO Works and Services Sarfraz Ali Shah and other officers attended the meeting.

Nasreen Jalil said that the historical KMC building was an important national heritage and it should be preserved in its original shape. She said that the city government would undertake a programme to renovate other such historical buildings. In this regard, she said, Pakistan Heritage Foundation President Yasmeen Lari would organize a training programme for the engineers of city government departments enabling them to carry out preservation of historical buildings.

Later, she visited various sections of the building. —PPI


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/13/local19.htm

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/13/SlideShow/pic09.jpg

KARACHI - February 12, 2006: Final touches being given on Sunday to a park in Gulshan-i-Iqbal’s Block 4A, being built by the city government. -– Dawn

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/14/SlideShow/pic14.jpg

KARACHI - February 13, 2006: Work under way on one of the rainwater drains at Sakhi Hassan.—APP

KARACHI, Feb 19: The I. I. Chundrigar Road will be closed for all public transport vehicles from Monday while a shuttle service is being started from Saddar to Tower via Chundrigar Road.

For the purpose, 10 buses of the Urban Transport Service (UTS) have been arranged, according to a statement issued by the city government on Sunday.

It may be mentioned here that City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, under section-144, has already introduced a new system for a smooth flow of vehicular traffic between M. A. Jinnah Road and Talpur Road roundabout.

The road leading to Talpur Road roundabout from M. A. Jinnah Road and the area from Talpur Road to Fresco Chowk have been declared no-parking zone. The new arrangement is aimed at ensuring a smooth flow of traffic flow with the cooperation of the traffic police and capital city police.

All vehicles coming from M. A. Jinnah Road will take a turn towards Talpur Road to cover rest of the distance. Similarly, traffic coming from the Arts Council and Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road would flow towards M. A. Jinnah Road via Pakistan Chowk and Light House and take a turn towards Talpur Road on return.—APP



Source: http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/20/local9.htm

KARACHI: Driving school to open in April, says minister

KARACHI, Feb 20: Federal Communications Minister Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui said on Monday that a driving training institute was being established with the assistance of the World Bank to create awareness and driving skills among the citizens.

The matter is under discussion with the Sindh government regarding reactivation of the institute, which was closed about 11 years back, he said while presiding over a meeting regarding the establishment of the driving training institute in Karachi.

The institute is planned to be established under the control of the National Highway Authority and Motorway Police for training of drivers for safe driving even in fog, rain and bad weather conditions.

The minister hoped that the driving training institute would be inaugurated in April here at the Old KTC Depot in SITE area.

He said the operational running cost of the institute was estimated at Rs3 million per year. In the first phase, he informed, 400 to 500 drivers would be trained and its capacity would be increased three times within a year.

Replying to a query, the federal minister said that land would be acquired from the Sindh government while the National Highway Authority/Motorway police would bear the operational cost.

He said that the vehicles and training staff would also be provided by the NHA and the Motorway Police.

Mr Siddiqui informed that the National Road Safety Control would be established in Islamabad.

He said that a 10-member executive board and a 7-member managing committee had been constituted for the establishment of the institute and to deal with its allied matters.

The meeting was attended, among others, by IG NH and MP Islamabad, DCO city government, additional secretary communication, Islamabad and others.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/21/local18.htm

KARACHI: First locally assembled computer

KARACHI, Feb 20: The Sindh Adviser on Information Technology, Environment and Alternate Energy, Mohammad Noman Saigol, inaugurated a locally assembled computer system on Monday. The system has been developed by the Ideal Distribution Lines, says an official statement.

Chief executive of IDL Aslam Pirzada said that the computer was more powerful and efficient than P-IV, and this would a unique one.—PPI/APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/21/local22.htm

KARACHI: Rs200 million plan for Chundrigar Road’s uplift

KARACHI, Feb 21: The upgradation and beautification of I I Chundrigar Road will be completed before the end of June next at a cost of Rs 200 million under supervision of a committee, headed by Governor of State Bank of Pakistan Dr Shamshad Akhtar.

However, this road has been closed for public transport for ever for the convenience of businessmen, especially foreigners who visit financial and trade institutions mostly located on and around it.

“I.I. Chundrigar road is our financial district and it should look like that,” said the City Naib Nazima, Mrs Nasreen Jalil, while briefing newsmen at her office here on Tuesday about the beautification plan and re-routing of public transport.

She said Rs 162 million had already been deposited for this purpose by all stockholders — financial institutions operating in this area. While Rs 38 million, the remaining portion of the estimated cost, would be borne by the CDGK.

For transparent utilization of the funds and timely execution of the scheme and ensuring quality of work, a beautification committee had been set up which would be headed by SBP Chief, she said.

She said the beautification of I.I. Chundrigar Road was originally planned some 15 years back.

The City Naib Nazima said the committee was looking into a proposal of waving off Rs 5 fare of the shuttle bus service plying between Saddar and Tower via I I Chundrigar Road and to increase number of these buses.

Nasreen Jalil informed that new water supply lines were being laid under I I Chundrigar road and the Water and Sewerage Board would complete the work in March 2006.

The sewerage system had been shifted from I.I. Chundrigar road to an adjacent street, and that 35 per cent work has so far been completed.

She said power supply and telephone lines would be placed under the footpath which would be widened up to 12 feet.

Highlighting the salient features of the re-routing plan of public transport in the wake of upgradation / beautification of I.I. Chundrigar road, she said contraflow bus lane had been started from Tower to Talpur road (opposite Police Station Mithadar) to reduce the traffic load on M A Jinnah road.

Under the plan, public transport plying from M A Jinnah Road to Tower would now turn on the right from Talpur road and then on the left to Shahrah-i-Liaquat and would complete rest of their journey as usual.

Those public transport vehicles coming from M A.Jinnah road for Keamari, West Wharf , Dockyard , Gulabai etc., would complete their routes as earlier while on their return these would be diverted from Tower to contraflow bus lane on Talpur road and then turn on left to Shahrah-i-Liaquat , and complete their routes as earlier.

The public transport coming to Tower via I.I. Chundrigar Road would now turn from Shaheen Complex to Din Mohammad Wafai Road , then touch Pakistan Chouk and Light House before travelling on M.A. Jinnah road to reach Tower.

Executive District Officer (Transport) Mohammad Athar , who was also present, said 580 buses and coaches permitted for I.I. Chundrigar Road had now been diverted to M A Jinnah road. Thus, according to official figures , 2996 buses and coaches would be plying M A Jinnah road.

To another question, he said a proposal was under consideration to declare all coaches plying in the city as minibuses for their failure to maintain their original status of operations. This would benefit the commuters who would be paying fares fixed for mini-buses.

“These operate on the pattern of mini-buses with same load of passengers, and picking and dropping the passengers in violation of their designated stops,” he said.

The City Naib Nazima, later, visited M A Jinnah road and I I Chundrigar road to take an account of traffic flow under the new plan.—APP



http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/22/local6.htm

KESC told to ensure regular power supply




By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21: Minister for Water and Power Liaqat Ali Jatoi has directed the Karachi Electric Supply Company to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity in the city during the summer season.

Talking to the new KESC management here, the minister directed the company to firm up a power generation plan to meet the growing demand of the city for the next five to 10 years.

An official announcement stated that the minister asked the KESC management to gear up its power generation system and improve the transmission system.

He asked the management to upgrade its system and replace old transformers and long transmission lines.

Electricity demand of Karachi, he said, was increasing by six per cent annually and the new management would have to work hard to meet the challenge.

Mr Jatoi was informed that work on Hubco-KESC interconnection transmission line would be completed by April 30.

KESC Chief Executive Officer Frank Schershmidt briefed the minister on the current power generation and future requirements.

He assured the minister that the management would provide uninterrupted power supply to the people of Karachi during summer.

The meeting discussed various options and plans to enhance smooth power supply to Karachi and adjoining areas.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/22/nat20.htm

can some one post pix of the existing Chundrigarh Road??

KARACHI: DHA awards Rs503m contract

KARACHI, Feb 23: The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has awarded a contract worth Rs503 million for cable transmission line. An announcement to this effect was made in a DHA statement on Thursday.

It said that the contract which pertains to supply, installation, commissioning and testing of 132 KV XLPE cable transmission line, had been awarded to the consortium of LG International Corp and LS Cable Limited Korea.

The cable transmission line with the latest technology of ‘VCV’ will connect the under construction grid stations in DHA Phase VIII to DHA Cogen Power and Desalination Plant for supply of electricity to the residents of Creek City and Phase VIII. A contract signing ceremony was held at the DHA main office here on Thursday.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/24/local17.htm

KARACHI: Govt to mark landfill sites soon, says adviser

KARACHI, Feb 23: The Sindh Adviser on Environment, Alternate Energy and Information Technology, Mohammad Noman Saigal, has emphasized to focus on priorities and go ahead with practical agenda in a systematic way to effectively address environment concerns.

He was speaking at a priority setting consultation and workshop regarding persistent organic pollutants (POPs) here on Thursday.

The programme was organized by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and United Development Programme (UNDP-Pakistan). It was attended by dozens of people representing various private and public sector organizations engaged in protection and up gradation of the environment.

The adviser said that we should start with air and water pollution which had a direct impact on public health. That is why the government has environmental awareness as its priority item, he said.

He said that the POPs should not be taken for granted and the government was doing its best to address the issue.

Mr Saigol said that for the first time in Pakistan’s history a large-scale campaign was launched in the city to test vehicles on roads to determine their status regarding smoke emission. Many vehicles irrespective of social status and influence of their owners were fined.

He said that samples of potable water were also taken at random from the city and other areas of the province for laboratory tests which proved that 30 per cent of water had excess chlorine due to technical reasons. Excessive amount of chlorine creates various health problems, he said.

The adviser said that the Sindh government had initiated monitoring of pesticides to ensure their quality and proper use.

He said that besides involving the civic society in this national task of environmental protection, we should move with clear agenda and create situations wherein international institutions were encouraged to extend professional and financial assistance to us in achieving the objectives.

He stressed the need for precautions regarding environmental risks and health issues like bird flu.

He regretted that there was no officially declared landfill site in the city and informed that the Sindh environment department would soon mark the landfill sites for the municipal solid waste.

Mr Saigol said his ministry had already banned the manufacturing and use of polythene bags in the province and the Sindh governor had also issued an ordinance in this regard.

He also informed that an industrial waste treatment plant worth Rs500 million was near completion and the governor was scheduled to inaugurate the plant in the next couple of months. More treatment plants would be set up in various industrial zones of the province, he added.

There were more than 10,000 industrial units in Sindh which called for strong monitoring system by the government and awareness campaigns to make the industrialists realize their responsibilities towards the society.

Sindh Environment Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Diwan, senior special fellow UNITAR, Dr John Haines, and National Project Manager UNDP-Pakistan, Syed Zaher Ahmed Gillani, SEPA Director Dr Iqbal Saeed, also spoke.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/24/local12.htm

KPT introduces port fountain boat rides

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Scores of people gathered at DC Jetty Keamari yesterday at the opening day of the boat rides started by Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to witness the scintillating beauty of the second tallest fountain of the world.

The atmosphere at DC Jetty Keamari was that of fun and frolic, as children and elders queued for the boat rides from 6 pm onwards all the way till short of midnight.

Visiting families were handed lifejackets for their safety as they made their way to the awaiting colourful boats. The 45-minute round trip to the fountain was thoroughly enjoyed by all, especially children, who displayed their excitement upon viewing the fountain up close. Furthermore, the cool spray of the fountain provided an added attraction.

The 620-ft high fountain gleaming with floodlights was a picturesque view to watch for all who had long cherished the fountain after watching it from the Clifton shoreline.

People lauded the efforts made by KPT for providing the much-needed recreational activity by initiating these boat rides and suggested that KPT must also develop the Clifton beach front for providing more entertainment to the masses.

KARACHI: Digital mapping of utility lines

KARACHI, Feb 24: The Naib Nazim, Nasreen Jalil, has said that for solving problem of water, sewerage and sanitation system, the city government has started digital mapping of utility lines in the city.

Talking to a delegation of notables from the Parsi community, she informed that to locate leakage and other faults in utility lines, the city government had included digital mapping in the city’s master plan.

She assured the delegation that old and faulty utility lines would be replaced soon, said a statement on said Friday.

The city nazim had allocated Rs50 million to all 18 towns for repair and replacement of utility lines, she added.

On the complaint of delegation, she directed Jamshed Town nazim to carry out uplift work regarding water and sewerage and repair of roads in the Awari and Cyrus colonies in Mehmoodabad on emergency basis.—PPI


http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/25/local18.htm

Karachi Building Authority & Cell Phone Towers
By Intikhab Ali

KARACHI, Pakistan: The chief controller of buildings (CCOB) of the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA), Mumtazur Rehman, has taken notice of the installation of cellular phone company antenna towers on residential buildings across the city, Daily Times learnt on Friday.

The KBCA is concerned that some installations have been made without its structural approval. KBCA sources said that while no survey has been conducted on how many such towers have been erected across the city, no-objection certificates for 450 have been issued over about three years. It is the towers without NoCs that the KBCA intends to deal with, sources said.
The chief COB directed a building controller to issue cell phone companies notices to acquire within 15 days the structural approval for any antenna towers they may have installed. He said in his directives that if the companies failed to do so, the KBCA would remove the towers. Action could also be taken against the owners of the relevant buildings.

The KBCA is concerned that if the towers are too big and the structure of the building or its roof cannot support their weight, this could pose dangers for the people who use the buildings.

The cell phone companies pay rent to the residential building owners after installing the towers. This rent can reportedly start at Rs 20,000 a month and go up to Rs 50,000. There are different rates for different areas in the city.
In addition to the rent, the cell phone companies also reportedly allow these building owners concessions on their phone bills.

"Our office wasn't high enough for a tower as it is three stories high," says a businessman who was considering having a tower installed. "They put up signboards also, then why not towers." He said that the cell phone company decided to install the tower on a neighbouring building that was about 10 stories high. "I don't think that the towers are very heavy," he said. "They probably assemble them on the roof." He did admit though that he had a few concerns on whether having such a tower so close by would pose any health hazards. "But as far as I know there is no documented research on this," he added.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5c02%5c25%5cstory_25-2-2006_pg7_54

KARACHI: Free bus service for Chundrigar Road




By Our Reporter

KARACHI, Feb 25: The city government would ply a free-of-cost shuttle bus service from one end of the I.I. Chundrigar Road to another from Feb 27. This was stated by the City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, on Saturday, who added that after re-modelling of the road, a separate lane for public transport would be designated.

He spelt this out while talking to journalists during a visit to the I.I. Chundrigar Road.

He assured the people that the city government would not do anything that would create difficulties for people. Nevertheless, he emphasized that for any development, there would be some difficulties, which people must endure for long-term benefits.

He pointed out that a new traffic system had been introduced in the area and it was improving with the passage of time.

Mr Kamal said that after one and a half month, development work on the I.I. Chundrigar Road would commence at a cost of Rs220 million. Owing to that, the road would be completely closed for traffic, which could last for a year.

He said the diversion of traffic to other routes ahead of that period was aimed at making people used to that.

He claimed that after completion, the road would be ideal for vehicular traffic and pedestrians. He also declared that three parking plazas would be constructed on the I.I. Chundrigar Road.

The city nazim said other roads in the city were dug up without proper planning but the city government had shifted the utility lines on the I.I. Chundrigar Road on one side without disturbing the traffic.

He also visited the spots where problem was being faced by the people.

He listened to the grievance of shopkeepers and businessmen in Bolton Market area and assured them of sympathetic hearing.

Meanwhile, the City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, has said the city government will consider planning for constructing a beautiful recreational place on 50 acres of land in Rerhi Goth, which was freed from encroachments recently, adds APP.

He stated this during a visit to Landhi Town on Friday night. He was accompanied by Landhi Town Nazim Mohammed Ismail Qureshi and TMP Nazir Lakhani. The nazim reviewed the sanitation and cleanliness conditions and sewerage situation.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/26/local2.htm

The plight of I.I. Chundrigar Road

Kolachi takes a look at the renovation plans underway for a road that not just means a lot to Karachi but is the ultimate business and banking hub of the entire nation

By Farooq Baloch

As Karachi remains one of the most dug up cities in the world, it is now the turn of the rather dusty but bustling and busy Wall Street of the metropolis to be thrown in disarray. Yes, after the clearance of Abdullah Shah Ghazi's Mazar, renovation of the Jahangir Kothari Parade and the creation of the KPT underpass, it is I I Chundrigar Road now which is in shambles due to development these days.

The City Government claims it has a number of plans for the renovation of the road and is all bent on giving it a massive and much needed make over. Among the first steps taken by the authorities to make this road less congested and better looking, public transport has been completely banned from entering the road either from the Tower end or from the Shaheen Complex one. Needless to say, where this move will no doubt tremendously help in making this road a little less crowded and polluted, right now it has just come under the full blast of public discontent. The thousands of employees of the hundreds of companies that have their offices in the many little over crowded lanes of Chundrigar are quite annoyed with the move, which involves them going through stressful ways of traveling to and fro from work and back home.



The public perspective

The recent move by the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has put a lot of people in a great deal of trouble as the alternate provided by the government in the form of shuttle service and the interchange route for public transport has so far failed to provide the public what they need.

"I am taking a rickshaw for 50 to 70 rupees daily," says Omais, chief finance officer, Internet Security. "I used to take Muslim Coach and it would cost me 10 rupees only," he adds. Omais, a resident of Askari III tells Kolachi, "I work through out the day and am very tired in the evenings when all I want is to travel comfortably on my way back." Omais is not the only one. The corporate world is a cruel one, the work is strenuous and draining and the last thing a middle manager needs at the end of the day is to fight through tired smelly crowds, crazy traffic, deadly diesel smoke and ear deafening honks. Let alone pay more for it.

In spite of the diversions provided by the traffic police the alternate route has not been able to accommodate the uncountable number of buses as the public transport of I I Chundrigar Road has been shifted to the already distressed M A Jinnah Road. "It has become a nightmare travelling through M A Jinnah Road now," says M Ashraf, Cashier Soneri Bank, adding, "I find it very difficult to handle the traffic congestion on my way back home, however, if this move is for the reformation in the system, I can tolerate it." But there are few as accepting as him.

It isn't just congestion on the roads and traffic jams that are causing problems; some of the bus routes have been changed unannounced since the launch of the exercise thus worsening the traveling experience for commuters. "The 9B Metro bus is the only one that runs from Gulistan–e–Johar to Tower; but now it only goes up to Lucky Star to avoid traffic congestion around Tower and Talpur Road," says one of the affected passengers who used to take this bus. "Most people don't even know about the new route," he laments.

Another source of discontent to the many who use public transport to get to work, is paying five rupees fare for the special shuttles started by the CDGK. This is in addition to the fare they pay for their bus, which sometimes does not even cover its complete round. Muslim Coach is a classic example of that – like all buses it has stopped operating on I I Chundrigar Road. People must now take it from Shaheen Complex and pay the regular 12 rupee fare. But mostly it does not go further than Quaidabad, which is the midway route. This means that the commuters have to pay an additional eight rupees from there to get home. For most people working on I I Chundrigar road, the daily bus fare has doubled along with the time it takes to get home.

Ammara Waseem, assistant manager of operations, Bank Alfalah, had to look for commuting alternatives because of the change, "Since I heard about the closure of public transport on I I Chundrigar road, I had to hire a taxi on contract to take me to work and back charging 120 rupees one way. Ammara, who resides in Defence adds, "I have now discontinued that as it was proving to be very costly for me." She says that the CDGK should carry on with renovation and beautification of the road but they should provide the affected citizens with a good alternative first.

In the place of public buses on I I Chundrigar, one can now see private vans operating as buses making most of the situation even though they have no route permit issued by the CDGK. Junaid Khan who travels through one such van doesn't care if they are legal or not as, "It charges 15 rupees from Tower to Malir and I am pretty comfortable with it." Like Junaid, most people avoid walking to the alternate route provided by the CDGK as not only has it become more expensive and time consuming but also to avoid the unbearable traffic jams on the overburdened M A Jinnah Road.



The government's perspective

"We have not permitted any other buses or vans except the shuttle service that has a fare of five rupees and it is operating from Tower to Lucky Star," says Athar Hussain, Executive District Officer, Transport and Communication, City District Government Karachi (CDGK) when asked about the "private" public transport that has come up on I I Chundrigar.

When questioned about the congestion on M A Jinnah Road and other problems faced by the public as a result of the new policies, he told Kolachi about new buses the government plans to introduce to Karachi's roads, "We are importing CNG buses which will certainly help in improving the situation." New environmentally buses will indeed be a welcome change for Karachiites but one can't help but wonder about the ones that were introduced some time back but eventually disappeared.

In any case the government is doing what it can for Karachiites, even the shuttle service is about to be free of charge soon. "We held a number of high level meetings to discuss the problems and our proposal was to make this shuttle free of cost and it will be fare free as soon as we get the formalities completed." He added. "Initially we operated ten buses for the shuttle service and now we have added two more and this quantity will be increased further," the EDO said. He also mentioned the Karachi Mass Transit Project saying, "Once the mass transit is launched there will be a big improvement and we are currently working on the M A Jinnah Corridor for the mass transit program."

In spite of the difficulties faced by the public, the government is bent on carrying on with their decision of closing public transport on I I Chundrigar Road. This time round the authorities are pretty serious about making I I Chundrigar an international standard road. "It was President Musharraf's own interest to introduce a package about the reformation in the infrastructure of the city and launch the Tameer–e–Karachi Program." Sources said, adding, "The beautification of I I Chundrigar Road is one of the projects under the said program."

The project is to be carried out at a cost of 200 million rupees under supervision of a committee that has been established under the supervision of Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr Shamshad Akhtar. According to sources more than 150 million rupees has already been deposited by the financial institutions operating in this area. Rest of the estimated cost will be borne by the CDGK.

City Naib Nazima Nasreen Jalil informed a local news paper that new water supply lines were being laid under I I Chundrigar road besides this, power supply and telephone lines would be placed under the footpath which would be widened up to 12 feet.

"All the major public sector organisations and trusts of the city including State Bank, KPT, Chamber of Commerce, National Highway Authority, DHA and others were using the city's water and sewage lines, electricity and roads so the government decided that they should all in turn contribute to the beautification program of I I Chundrigar Road," said Zafar Ahsan, Additional District Officer (ADO), Transport and Communication department CDGK adding, "under the program buildings will be painted, water and sewage lines will be replaced with new ones for which the work has already begun." The ADO said for the first time they are laying lines of water flow along the road like it is done in Mumbai and Islamabad.

When asked who decides the plans for such projects he answered, "First meetings are called in which the problems are discussed and then the traffic engineers and planners of the CDGK start working according to the solutions discussed in the meetings."



Kolachi lets these writers who also work on I I Chundrigar to share their perspectives about the ongoing development work



God save me!

As if it wasn't hard enough before, reaching work in buses and coaches, literally hanging on to one's dear life, for them to now dig up I I Chundrigar road as well. God save me and my fellows who work on Chundrigar because now the situation has reached such a point where it's impossible even to walk on the pavements (unless you are wearing hiking boots). So what do we do now? The public transport coming, for example, from Gulshan, drops you off at the Shaheen Complex and then what? As the "promised" shuttle service on I I Chundrigar remains a mystery, you simply walk on the main road, staring death (read traffic) in the face and mumbling all the prayers you know under your breath. In the process a fine layer of dhool mitti covers you from head to foot and when you reach the sanctuary of your office and plop safely behind your cubby, it feels like a mini miracle!

Bless the "walking culture" that the city government is trying to promote but I would rather live to see another day than die walking in–the–line–of–duty! Plus for women like me, it's no fun struggling your way through the traffic and the blinding dust and fumes when on top of everything else you also have to face dirty harassing glares, snarling comments of passing by motor bikers or offers for a 'lift' from cars rolling by.

We are told that millions of rupees are in the pipeline for turning our good old Chundrigar into Karachi's Wall Street. I just hope they don't mess up and churn out something bland. Too much concrete and iron and too little aesthetic sense would make this road a real disappointment!

– Fatima Zehra

Women will walk!

Things are finally looking up for good 'ol Chundrigar Road. The road will no longer welcome the irrational, lunatic bus drivers and truckwallahs of the world, who would rather run you over than let you get ahead.

I I Chundrigar Road is Karachi's business center. People from all backgrounds came here everyday, either looking for jobs or to their already found positions in the business center. But the one thing equally painful to all is the constant honks, screeches, crazy driving.

The truckwallahs appear as if out of no where and always feel the need of overtaking any car, bike or bus that they see.The same attitude is adopted by the buswallahs who almost always have over crowded their wagons and without looking left, right or center, they just drive on. To cross the road with these vehicles around is a fearful experience for all pedestrians. As it is, traffic at I I Chudrigar Road, an already congested road, is a nightmare. The entire road is filled up with cars, bikes and rickshaws. And with the zig–zag driving of the buses, one feels they have survived and not been driven over only because of a miracle.

So, yes, even though, I I Chudrigar Road is being dug up and the dust blows and lack of further parking spots is a disadvantage, one must be patient because without the noisy, polluting buses and trucks, life at I I Chundrigar Road will change for the better. Imagine, women will finally be seen walking on a Karachi road. Just to see that day, all objections are overruled!

– Maheen Sabeeh

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/feb2006-weekly/nos-26-02-2006/kol.htm#1

complaint

How Clifton Road lost its glory!

A personal account about how the development process that gave Karachi the KPT underpasss took away the essence of what we knew and loved as Clifton Road. How can it regain its lost culture?

By Ahmer Ashraf

Photos by Athar Khan

My first recollection of Clifton Road dates back to more than a decade ago. It is no doubt one of the most hustling, bustling roads in Karachi, a road that attracts the whole city, the stretch that is famous for shopping and eating out. But since, the development process went underway at Clifton Road; this place has lost its charm and has become a nuisance for travellers, shoppers and residents.

Little did anyone know what horror is in store for this road after the construction of the Underpass. In the name of development, the map of this road has changed. And this new map is a nightmare to all those who have grown up in and around this area. What was one of the most popular roundabouts in Karachi has turned into a dazed picture where construction seems to go on forever. Visitors expect the road to be in a better shape after the construction of the underpass – but this has not been the case.

The road, which ran between two landmarks, Do Talwar and Teen Talwar, is the most frequently visited shopping strip or was till the Underpass was built here. Park Towers or Forum were there before the Underpass, and remain the only two big malls in Karachi. But even after these malls opened doors to Karachiites, Clifton Road continued to be shopper's paradise and could give them both a run for their money any given day. As the development process continues at the site, people are finding it very difficult to come and shop. Sadly, it's not a shopper's favourite place anymore, thanks to the development work and the Underpass.

The nuisance seems to be the slow development work of the connecting side roads. The main purpose of building this underpass was to cut the flow of heavy traffic as stated by the KPT officials. For about one year or "210 days of the development of the underpass," as the KPT PRO puts it – the citizens have been in turmoil. "You have to go through some trouble – this happens with every development project," mentions the KPT official. But did the citizens benefit from it? This is one question, which cannot be answered as of now. As the development process is still underway, the service roads are being built and the debris being cleared out. Even then, the roads, which connect the shopping area on the left side of the road (Delawalla, Shoe stores, Damascus, Dominos and Ideas) are in a bad shape. One doesn't feel like driving around that area.

Damascus is at the top when it comes to hang out spots in Karachi. In the big ground, which serves as a parking space in the daytime and a hang out joint in the night, Karachiites love to spend their evenings smoking shisha and relaxing. Damascus introduced a novel concept, to relish shisha outdoors – which has become our most loved activity in the evenings. And if roads continue to be the same way, visitors would not drop by as frequently as they used to. The work has to take some speed. The turn from where the Underpass ends here is a horrible one. The cars are going in one direction and it's difficult for them to take a U–turn into the service lane and visit this area unless you drive down to the Do Talwar roundabout and then take a U–turn in the service lane. Not just that, the dug up inside lanes connecting the back part of Damascus are still impossible to navigate.

This service lane further goes down to Zamzama – the only high street in the city. On the way, there was the once famous Mid East hospital building – which has been raised to the ground giving way to a shopping mall. It ends on the Plaza Shopping Mall which is right at the corner of the Do Talwar roundabout. From here, the traffic has doubled with cars coming from the Underpass, those turning from the roundabout and those one coming from the service lane – it all bottle necks the road to Zamzama. On the opposite side, the service lane connecting Boat Basin is in an equally bad shape – there was two–way traffic allowed here. This opened up on Mottas, Laraib and the start of Boat Basin market. Although, the parallel road to the underpass is functional now, there continues to be difficulty for commuters on the service lane.

This is the Do Talwar side of the story – on the other end there is Teen Talwar and at that corner, there are Gulf and Cliff shopping malls – the most frequently visited shopping malls on that stretch. On the far end of this stretch is Agha's, one of the best supermarkets in town. Agha's started a valet service for their customers as people would not find parking. Although, a large parking space is now allocated for visitors around this area, it continues to be jam–packed. Most customers turn back after seeing the clog of traffic and cramped parking space. If you go a little further, the traffic coming from the Teen Talwar signal is allowed in through a turn towards this shopping area. And this is one–way, so you can only drive towards Agha's and taking a U–turn towards Gulf is a nightmare.

Gulf is worse now, although, it has been a choked place, forever but the shoppers had the liberty to park and drive around and enjoy their shopping. Now with the service road being one–way, one misses how shopping was used to be. It's highly inconvenient for people to drive in one direction. Those coming from the ICAP road and those who wish to turn in from the Teen Talwar signal can't visit Gulf unless they park on the main road where, obviously, parking is not allowed. Instead they have to drive down to Agha's and turn back to Gulf. Why would people want to drive another mile to come to Gulf? Adjacent to it is the only fashion school in Karachi – AIFD.

The shopping arena at Clifton Road has suffered a great deal and with the view of a citizen and a shopper, things have just gone worse. Miss the way one could cross the road and sit at Damascus on a long summer evening and enjoy the shisha whilst the traffic buzzed around the road. Miss the way one could walk on the stretch and cross over to the other side whenever one wanted to. And it is not just the Clifton road but also the Boat Basin area, which has been affected. With the free flow of traffic on the road and the development of service roads to segregate the food area, a lot of visitors would face problems unless the development is completed. All these roads will be completed within a month according to officials.

The officials claim that heavy traffic has been avoided from the Schon Circle signal – trawlers and sixteen wheelers don't have to stop at the signal anymore – instead they have a free flow on the way to Mai Kolachi. The objective of building this underpass was to reduce the port traffic – according to KPT. The Underpass has its own problems, sometimes one end is half–blocked for construction work which is a nuisance for drivers. Then the walls of the Underpass are not so exciting. The bland cemented walls are serving as a drawing board for graffiti. Some 'gangsters' as they are known have spray painted the walls with their slogans. Not just that but political parties are also using the walls for their expression. An Islamic political party has conveniently painted their slogan in response to the recent protests against the caricatures. Some colourful tiles are being put up at one sidewall of the Underpass which reminds one of a washrooms.

Clifton Road still has the potential to be developed as a shopping stretch on both sides of the road only if the process speeds up. Attention needs to be given to developing it as a shopper's stretch, only if the authorities are interested in it. Shopping areas need to be developed and customers need to be facilitated so shopping and dining become a pleasant experience. For now, the visitors are suffering and they cannot make out whether the development process is for the better or worse. It has to be proven once the construction process is completed. The Nando's billboard puts it aptly, "Why didn't the chicken use the Underpass? Because it was highly overrated!" After the development of the Underpass and the free traffic flow, all the authorities need to look into now is the convenience of people and to beautify the road to gain its old glory. That can only be done if the same kind of investment as the Underpass gets into the development of roads and shopping places.

The GM Planning and Development, KPT, Brigadier Zaidi says, "These are just small things in life. They don't matter as much as traffic volumes and the need to control them." I say regaining the feel of the place so many have hung out at so often may seem like "a small thing in life", but it's these small things that make or break city culture. This is precisely what the authorities need to realise and make the necessary arrangements to recultivate the lost culture of the historical Clifton Road.

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/feb2006-weekly/nos-26-02-2006/kol.htm#2

KARACHI: Project for signal-free SITE-airport road link


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Feb 28: With a view to making a signal-free road from SITE to Quaid-i-Azam International Airport, the city government has decided to initiate half a dozen major development works, simultaneously from first week of March, the city Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said on Tuesday.

These vital projects include flyovers at University Road-Sir Shah Suleman Road traffic intersection (Hasan Square), Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi Road-Stadium Road intersection, near Time Medicos; and Ibrahim Rahimtoola Road-Sharea Faisal traffic intersection (Karsaz) and underpasses at Gharibabad, Nazimabad petrol pump and Liaquatabad No 10.

All these six plans would ensure signal-free movement of traffic from SITE to Quaid-i-Azam International Airport’, the city nazim said.

At a joint a joint meeting of the CDGK and KWSB engineers, contractors and representatives of consulting firms, the nazim stated that work on all the six components of the project must begin in the first week of March and accomplish simultaneously within their stipulated period. The CDGK’s district coordination officer, Fazal-ur-Rehman and the KWSB managing director, Brig Iftikhar Haider were also present.

He said since funds for the project had been provided and the issue pertaining to shifting of utility pipelines had been resolved, contractors and consultants would have no excuse for delaying the project.

Exhorting the CDGK’s consulting firms and contractors to further improve their performance, Mr Kamal said that consulting firms are required to have a check on contractors and give proper advice to officials of the CDGK’s department concerned.

The Nazim urged the contractors and consultants to carry out work on all the six components of the project round-the-clock so that the project is completed expeditiously because if work on any of the six development works is delayed, the entire project would suffer and the citizens will face hardship.

He said he would honour his commitment concerning payments to contractors, but at the same time said he would expect from both the contractors and the consultants to accomplish projects within their stipulated period.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/01/local13.htm

KARACHI: Installation of streetlights ordered


KARACHI, March 1: DCO Karachi Fazlur Rehman has directed the city government’s department of solid-waste management to take steps for the installation of streetlights and weigh bridges at the two landfill sites in the city within two-three weeks.

He also called for the outsourcing of landfill operations to private contractors so that the problems arising out of the privatization of the garbage lifting work could be avoided.

At his meeting with TMOs and contractors in his office, the DCO reviewed the steps taken so far since privatization of garbage lifting work in the city from February 15, and asked the officers to improve the sanitary conditions in their respective areas further.

Pointed out that he himself visits various towns along with the city nazim, he impressed upon the Town Municipal Officers to routinely visit their respective areas and ensure removal of garbage and clearing of garbage dumps.

He told them that they had to keep clean not only the main roads, but tertiary roads and streets also.—APP



http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/02/local15.htm

KARACHI: Accord for elevated expressway signed: Jinnah Bridge to Quaidabad


By Azizullah Sharif

KARACHI, March 1: A 24-kilometre long elevated signal-free expressway – from Jinnah Bridge-Native Jetty to Quaidabad – will be constructed in three years at an estimated cost of US $225 million.

The city government’s gigantic project to be known as a signal-free corridor will pass through the M T Khan Road, Club Road and Sharea Faisal.

The project on its completion will not only reduce travelling time by 40 per cent but would also bring an end to the hardships, which motorists usually face on Sharea Faisal and its adjacent arteries in the wake of VIP movements.

The 24-km long and 25-metre wide expressway will have three lanes on either side with six interchanges to be provided at the Quaidabad, Star Gate, Shahrah-i-Quaideen, Hotel Metropole, Habib Ibrahim Rahomtoola Road (Karsaz) and Jinnah Bridge (Native Jetty).

An agreement to this effect was signed on Wednesday between the city government and a Malaysian firm – IJM Corporation Berhad – which was assigned the task of implementing the project in two phases.

The Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, attended the ceremony as a witness to the agreement. Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, town nazims and senior city government officials were also present.

The City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, signed the agreement on behalf of the city government while the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian firm, Dato Jr Goh Chye, was the signatory on his firm’s behalf.

Speaking on the occasion, Kamal said the city government had invited expression of interest/proposals in mid-January from international construction companies/consortiums for construction of an elevated expressway on annuity/concept basis.

After a thorough evaluation, the city government issued expression of intention (EOI) on Feb 17 this year to the said Malaysian company for implementation of the project in two phases, he said.

He said it was heartening to note that the firm, which had been assigned the task of implementing the project, would finance the entire project. In return, it would be entitled to collect toll tax from vehicles and persons using the expressway.

Highlighting the salient features of the project, he said the expressway would serve as the Southern bypass, as it fells on the National Highway, as well as on the way to the airport.

Terming Karachi ‘a viable market in the region’, the nazim said the expressway would help boost the country’s economy, besides giving relief to motorists from traffic jams, which often occurred due to movement of dignitaries on Sharea Faisal.

He said the city with a population of 14 million and spread over an area of 1,800 sq-km had a long network of main roads/arteries, sub-roads, etc, and with the growing population, the number of vehicles was also increasing day by day.

He said Sharea Faisal was one of the major arteries of the city, carrying a heavy volume of traffic due to its inter-connections at various points.

Besides, a large number of commuters proceeding to and from the Quaid-i-Azam International Airport also use the road. The traffic volume on its various intersections range from 121,641 to 258,005 vehicles during 16 hours in a day while during peak hours, most of the intersections reach the saturation level.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/02/local1.htm

Industrial production in Karachi plunges


By Aamir Shafaat Khan

KARACHI, March 3: Industrial production on Friday nosedived to 10-30 per cent in the city’s big industrial estates, while in some other industrial areas it remained at 50 per cent because of strike called by political and religious parties against the blasphemous cartoons.

All the leading wholesale, retail and raw material markets remained completely shut through out the day, causing difficulties for the industrial units for selling their finished goods as well as procuring raw material.

Industrialists said that even the export shipments to foreign destinations could not be executed in the absence of transportation.

They said they could not manage to hold up the workers on overtime for Friday owing to uncertain city situation.

Attendance of workers remained thin in the industrial units due to absence of public transport which could not be fully resumed till the evening, thus causing huge losses to the stakeholders.

Many industries had already decided to observe Friday as the holiday by calling up the workers on Sunday to cover up Friday’s loss.

The real sufferers of the strike were daily workers in the industrial units. Daily wagers, who sit on the sidelines of the main roads, also lost their earnings due to complete shutdown.

Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) chairman Gulzar Firoz said that only 25 per cent workers could turn up to their work, which means there was hardly any production and it can be considered as a complete shutdown of industrial activity in the area. More than 100,000 workers are employed in over 2,000 units in KATI area, of which 30-40 per cent are export-oriented units.

“The losses in terms of taxes and duties and other charges come to Rs250 million a day which is contributed by the KATI units to the national kitty,” he said.

Even exporters suffered losses for not meeting timely shipments due to non- availability of trawlers and containers. Many export commitments had been lost while scores of letters of credits (LCs) could not be opened.

“Has the strike made any impact on the EU or the EU is compensating for the economic and property loss caused by the strike and protests,” he asked.

“It is time to be more practical rather than sentimental as the country’s economy suffers badly instead of making any impact on the western countries,” Gulzar said in a pensive mood.

The industries also condemn the blasphemous caricatures and even foreign buyers also condemn it but it is not going to make any impact on the EU, he said, adding that it is time to protest peacefully and take up the matter with OIC and the UN rather than resorting to frequent strikes and protest that lead to destruction of property and hurt the industrial and trading activities.

“Even we cannot afford to boycott the European products at this moment as in case the Europe retaliates, there will be a massive closure of industries here as well as job loss of million of people,” he observed.

Site Association of Industry (SAI) chairman Ameen Bandukda said that 95 per cent of industries were closed which means almost 100 per cent production lost in the industrial estate on Friday.

Only those export-oriented industries had managed to hold up workers on over time which worked seven days a week, he said. The Site area has over 3,000 small to largescale industries in which 600,000 workers are employed, he added.

“This is not fair in making a regular feature of calling strikes. Friday’s strike should be assumed as the last strike,” he said, adding that the Site area contributes 40-50 per cent out of total Karachi’s revenue to the exchequer.

Executive Member of F.B. Area Association of Trade and Industry Idris Gigi said that less than 50 per cent of production was registered in the industrial units and the attendance of workers was recorded at 40-50 per cent.

North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry chairman Dawood Usman Jhakoora said that only 50 per cent of workers could turn up, hence production also remained at 50 per cent.

“The strike is considered as a serious injury to the industrial activity,” Jhakoora said, adding that “there should be some other way to record protests as strike causes daily production and revenue losses.”



http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/04/ebr1.htm


So in the end, the strikers just pounded the axe in Pakistan's own foot again.

KARACHI: Work on three underpasses begins today

KARACHI, March 3: The City District Government Karachi is undertaking work on construction of under-passes at Petrol Pump Nazimabad, Liaquatabad No-10 and Gharibabad from March 4.

In view of importance and advantages of these projects, the City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, visited the sites for the second time during the last 48 hours in connection with their launch and removal of impediments in their way.

DCO Karachi Fazlur Rehman, EDO Works and Services Sarfraz Ali Shah, MD Water Board Brig Iftekhar Hyder, chief engineers of City Government and Water Board and senior officials of city’s three noted consulting firms were also present.

The designs of the three projects were considered in their presence and given approval.

For approval of designs, a meeting was held at Gharibabad site office which continued from mid-night till 2 am during which the consultants and engineers submitted their opinions regarding these projects.

Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal described these projects very important for the city and said after their completion, the traffic problems would reduce besides adding to the city’s beauty.

In view of difficulties which might be faced by people, it has been decided that these projects would be completed within four months.

Both Liaquatabad and Nazimabad underpasses are big projects. The foundation stone of Gharibabad project was laid in a haste without any comprehensive planning.

Syed Mustafa Kamal, after taking over as City Nazim, ordered immediate implementation of the project.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/04/local13.htm


Four months?? Sounds like an impossible goal again. The Schon Circle underpass took wayyy more than the six months it was due to be completed in. But I hope the city authorities learnt some lessons from it.

i want to do this project as my thesis can someone give me more details abt it

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/04/SlideShow/pic12.jpg

KARACHI - March 3, 2006: A new waterline is being laid on I.I. Chundirgar Road to supply water to Lyari.—Dawn

As far as I know, Mr. Niamatullah is not a nazim anymore and there seems to be no mosque that has been started as yet.

Also, instead of wasting money on more monuments like that, the city govt would be better advised to do something more concrete about other problems that deserve more immediate attention. Such as a technologically and economically viable light rail for the mass transit corridor I, and other problems that are more pressing issues in Karachi.
There are already lots of good mosques in all localities of Karachi. There is no shortage of big mosques either.

Revamping the old railway system

http://www.dawn.com/weekly/review/images/review10.jpg


By Zofeen Ebrahim

The economy and population of Karachi are expanding rapidly, but few investments have been made in the city’s urban infrastructure, resulting in a grossly polluted urban environment and chaotic public transport that has significantly reduced the quality of life

Transport authorities in Karachi are planning to revive a discarded railway system, rather than building more concrete flyovers and underpasses, to ease congestion that has reduced traffic to a permanent crawl.

“These stop-gap arrangements and reactive planning would turn Karachi into another Bangkok,’’ says Arif Hasan, an urban specialist. “Such quick-fixes only add to the congestion as these temporary solutions just move traffic smoothly till the next intersection where it gets clogged.’’

Right now, progress on the roads of Karachi calls for skill in negotiating a clear path through an assortment of vehicles while also taking heed of yawning excavations for constructing new flyovers, underpasses and elevated transit-ways that no one is sure will ease the congestion.

Karachi is home to more than 12 million people and serves as the commercial hub and gateway of Pakistan — accounting for 95 per cent of Pakistan’s foreign trade and contributing to 30 per cent of the country’s industrial production.

But as the economy and population of Karachi expanded rapidly, few investments were made in the city’s urban infrastructure, resulting in a grossly polluted urban environment and chaotic public transport that has significantly reduced the quality of life.

Engineers and planners are at a crossroad. While a public-private partnership based on a modern, environment-friendly, mass rapid transit system beckons, reviving the neglected, Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) built over 40 years ago, looks equally attractive.

A 30km arc, the KCR is a single-lane track begun by Pakistan Railways in 1964, and in its heyday catered up to six million commuters daily. But since 1999, it has lain barren because it was toting up huge financial losses.

An attempt to restart it in 2000 failed for lack of patronage but then its managers discovered why — the system did touch the workplaces of the commuting population but went nowhere near the ever-expanding slums where most of the city’s working class lives. But planners are now looking at the possibility of integrating the railways into a system that involves high capacity buses.

To urban specialist Arif Hasan’s mind, the KCR still represents the basis for a “cheap and logical’’ way out of Karachi’s traffic woes. What needs to be done is to “use the existing tracks and set up a light mass rapid transit system” around it that would connect working places and residential areas, he says.

According to Hasan, the success or failure of reviving the KCR would depend on how well it can be married into a strong network of bus routes that allows the commuter to switch easily from rail to road and vice versa.

It is thus important that while new life is breathed into the KCR, bus termini, both inter and intra-city, need to be developed as also depots where the buses can be parked and maintained. In the absence of both the termini and depots, roads are used for parking and repairing buses, adding to the congestion and chaos.

Plans for revitalisation of the KCR have been doing the rounds for years now with one indecision lurching after another. There is talk of replacing it with an electric monorail and the technically advanced Maglev (magnetic levitation) technology — all of them prohibitively expensive.

“There is no public consultation (on finding a viable solution) and most importantly, people at the helm are more interested in grandiose and high-profile projects like flyovers and expressways,’’ says Hasan.

But discussions are now veering round to using the KCR corridors as a bus way, quite like the bus rapid transit (BRT) systems running successfully in Latin American cities with similar problems — like Bogota and Curitiba.

“This is the only way forward provided there is the necessary political will,’’ says Arif Parvaiz an independent urban consultant. City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said public consultation was needed before the BRT-KCR plan could be implemented and that there would be the interests of private transporters — who had taken over the public transport since its collapse in 1997 — to be considered.

“New technology always meets with resistance. We need to educate and assure the transporters that the new system would be beneficial for them. At the same time we want educated people to invest in this industry,’’ Kamal said.

Proponents of the BRT say that the KCR corridors should exclude cars and be devoted to moving people rather than their vehicles — especially since one BRT can move as many passengers as can 125 cars.

In such a system, buses will be assured an exclusive track that is serviced by the railways with a common ticketing system that would make for huge savings on investments needed to build separate shelters. Frits Olyslager, an Australian expert here for a workshop organised recently by the city’s Mass Transit Cell, said it would be possible to get a BRT system up and running in just 18 short months, compared to the five years it can take to build an elevated railway.

“In the instant society that we live in, where we hate waiting, this is an ideal choice as it is reliable, convenient and efficient, with the bus corridor operating metro style and offering a ‘faster than car’ option,’’ Olyslager said.

So far, the new plans have the green light from the federal government which has pledged Rs5billion ($83million) from the central budget to induct 8,000 environment-friendly buses, over a period of five years, into Karachi. –– Dawn/IPS Service


http://www.dawn.com/weekly/review/review10.htm

That place needs a 5 star (or any other star) hotel. It's right next to the Expo Centre and nearer to the airport. It's also right next to the National stadium where international games are held and many people come from overseas....also it's near to the Agha Khan University Hospital and to the Liaquat National Hospital..where lot of people come for treatment from far and wide and this hotel could provide a place to stay for their attendants.
A huge amount of money can be raised by selling that plot to the highest bidder for making a hotel.

^^ good proposition!

Its an excellent location and place for a five star hotel!

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/904/shafqathousedawn0fu.jpg


Building faces demolition threat - KBCA directed to ensure Shafquat House protection

By Bhagwandas


KARACHI, March 5: The Sindh government has directed the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) to ensure that Shafquat House, a building protected under the Sindh Cultural Heritage Protection Act (SCHPA), was not damaged, demolished or destroyed by anybody, it is learnt.
According to the sources, the Sindh Culture Department (SCD) has written a letter to the KBCA chief controller on the subject: “illegal demolition of cultural heritage building (Shafquat House), Plot No: 11/A, Mohammad bin Qasim Road, Karachi.” The letter says: “it has come to the notice of this department through press that landlord of the above building has removed the floors, doors of two flats. Since the building is notified under the Sindh Cultural Heritage (Protection) Act, 1994, this is in violation of law.

Copies of the letter have also been sent to the Sindh chief sec retary, who heads the advisory committee on the Cultural Affairs; Saddar Town Police officer; and Esmail Hussain Navadia, owner, resident of Flat No: 23, 3rd floor, Shafquat House, Mohammad Bin Qasim Road (Burns Road), Karachi.

According to sources, roof or many rooms, separating walls had been pulled down, window and door pans and grills of the galleries have been taken out and many galleries have also been damaged in the pre-partition beautifully constructed building located near the DJ Science College and the Old Campus of the NED University of Science and Technology.

The sources said that over 600 architecturally beautiful or historically important buildings, majority of these owned by the private owners, in the city have been protected by the SCHPA. As all these buildings have been constructed over half a century back when the city was a comparatively much smaller town that today’s metropolis, all of these are now located at prime locations in the centre of the city.

The sources said owing to their centralized location value of such buildings has sky-rocketed and majority of the owners would like to reconstruct high rise buildings on these plots. But as there is a ban on demolition of these old buildings, these should be preserved. Private owners usually either neglect these buildings, while some others demolish these buildings systematically – either during night or during holidays, and one day these buildings ultimately collapse.

The sources said that new constriction, repairs, restoration work is also carried out in the government-owned buildings protected under the SCHPA, but while the SCD and the KBCA take immediate steps against private owners, they rarely take steps against the government organizations involved in violation of rules.

Source: Dawn epaper. www.dawn.com

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/197/lyariexpwydawn2eu.jpg

KARACHI: Consultants to supervise projects: nazim

KARACHI, March 5: The city government has acquired the services of expert consultants for supervising its ongoing uplift projects, the City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, said on Saturday evening.

Addressing a meeting of consultants at the Civic Centre, he said various projects worth millions of rupees had been initiated in the city.

He said the quality of uplift work can be achieved if professional consultants supervised the projects, adding that these consultants would represent the city government and work in a better way. He asked the consultants to make exemplary plans for Karachi.

He said that in case of any difficulty, they (consultants) could directly contact him or the DCO.

He said the advice of consultants would also be required for the Geo Information System (GIS) Survey to be conducted soon with the help of the Sui Southern Gas Company.

The consultants in the meeting demanded the city nazim to also appoint a general consultant so they could contact him in connection with ongoing uplift works. The nazim said he would think over their demand.

The DCO, Fazalur Rehman, EDO Works and Services Sarfraz Ali Shah and other officials were also present.

Meanwhile, the city nazim also addressed a meeting of TMOs at the Civic Centre on Saturday evening.

He said after the privatization of the garbage-lifting system, improvement in sanitary conditions was also needed to be seen so that positive results of privatization could be obtained.

He said all hurdles in this regard should be removed, and stern action including dismissal from service be taken against the absenting employees.

He said citizens wanted an improvement in the sanitary conditions while the same was the city government’s priority.

He asked the TMOs to ensure foolproof arrangements regarding the improvement of sanitary conditions, adding that improvement should also be visible to the citizens.

He said to ensure that private contractors shifted garbage from garbage dumps to the landfill sites in a manner that there was spillover on the roads.

He said all the work should be done in a coordinated manner under constant monitoring.

Kamal asked the Solid Waste Management Department of the city government to ensure the monitoring of mechanized road-sweeping work in the night using the teams of engineers already set up for the purpose.

He said these special teams would also monitor the lifting of garbage by private contractors.

Meanwhile, the city nazim would lay the foundation stone of Ibn-i-Seena Road in Liaquatabad No 10 on Monday.—PPI


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/06/local6.htm

KARACHI: Road works in Gulshan start

KARACHI, March 5: The Nazim of Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town, Wasay Jalil, on Sunday inaugurated repair and reconstruction work of roads in UC-10 of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Block-11.

Work including reconstruction, carpeting and broadening of 9,345 feet and a total of 0.224269 million sq-ft of roads at a cost of Rs10.14164 million would be completed in four months.

Town Naib Nazim Shoaib Akhtar, TMO Matanat Ali Khan, UC-10 nazim and naib nazim, TO infrastructure, and the DTO B&R were present.

Jalil said the main roads and streets in the area were being broadened to 24 to 30 feet. The same uplift work would also be carried out phase-wise in other localities of the town, he added.

He said the town administration was making efforts for providing basic facilities to all localities and making Gulshan-i-Iqbal a model town.

Meanwhile, water supply to various localities in UC-7 of the town has also been resumed. Mujahid Colony, Katchi Para No 2, Majid Para and Mochi Para in UC-7 had been facing water shortage for about 40 years.—PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/06/local17.htm

Work on projects to suffer as Sindh govt stops funds

KARACHI, March 6: Work on a number of projects of the city government has either come to a halt or is likely to be delayed owing to stoppage of Rs 1.2 billion funds by the Sindh government.
The projects, which are expected to be affected include signal-free road (from SITE industrial area to Quaid-i-Azam International Airport) and an underpass which is to be constructed on Ibne Sina Road at Liaqiuatabad No-10.
The City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, was scheduled to lay the foundation of Liaquatabad No-10 underpass on Monday, but he had to postpone it at the eleventh hour when the Sindh government informed the city government that funds for the project worth Rs 35 million are not available with it.
Sources in the city government said the foundation-stone ceremony of the underpass had been shelved owing to some unavoidable circumstance. The plan of constructing underpass at Liaquatabad No-10 was not only a part of Tameer-i-Karachi Programme (TKP), but it had already been approved by the Provincial Working Development Party (PWDP).
Among the other mega projects which might be affected is the CDGK’s plan of making a number of roads signal-free, from SITE industrial area to airport.
Under the plan, two more underpasses are to be built at Nazimabad petrol pump flyover and Liaquatabad No-10 flyover, three flyovers – each at University Road-Sir Shah Suleman Road traffic intersection (Hassan Square), Pir Sibghtullah Shah Rashdi RoadStadium Road intersection, near Time Medicos and Sharea Faisal Habib Ibrahim Rahimtoola Road traffic intersection (Karsaz).
Meanwhile, motorists passing through an alternative route made on Ibne Sina Road (from Gharibabad to Liaquatabad No 10) to facilitate work on both the underpasses to be constructed at Gharibabad and Liaquatabad No 10 are facing hardships as road is quite bumpy and uneven at several places.
In the absence of proper street-lights on alternative route, motorists are exposed to accidents as one cannot rule out the possibility of hitting the elevated concrete manholes which exist in the middle of the alternative route.
Moreover, as no proper safety measures have been provided at the route, especially from where diversion had been made on its either side, motorists, specially motorcyclists, are often seen applying breaks after reaching quite close to barricades put up for the closure of the main Ibne Sina Road.
ONE-WINDOW OPERATION: On the directive of City Nazim Mustafa Kamal, the city government has finalized all arrangements to launch one-window operation for timely payments to contractors, adds PPI.
EDO Finance and Planning Roshan Ali Sheikh said that the operation would be launched within 15 to 20 days. He was talking to a delegation of City Government Contractors Association which called on him at his office. The association’s chairman S.M. Naeem Kazmi led the delegation.
The delegation apprised the official about the problems being faced by the contractors and stressed the need for timely payment of bills, saying extraordinary delay in payments was creating problems to them.
karachi, march 6: work on a number of projects of the city government has either come to a halt or is likely to be delayed owing to stoppage of rs 1.2 bil- lion funds by the sindh govern- ment. the projects, which are expected to be affected include signal-free road (from site industrial area to quaid-i-azam international airport) and an underpass which is to be con- structed on ibne sina road at liaqiuatabad no-10. the city nazim, syed mustafa kamal, was scheduled to lay the foundation of liaquatabad no-10 underpass on monday, but he had to postpone it at the eleventh hour when the sindh government informed the city government that funds for the project worth rs 35 million are not available with it. sources in the city govern- ment said the foundation-stone ceremony of the underpass had been shelved owing to some unavoidable circumstance. the plan of constructing underpass at liaquatabad no-10 was not only a part of tameer-i-karachi programme (tkp), but it had already been approved by the provincial working development party (pwdp). among the other mega proj- ects which might be affected is the cdgk’s plan of making a number of roads signal-free, from site industrial area to air- port. under the plan, two more underpasses are to be built at nazimabad petrol pump flyover and liaquatabad no-10 flyover, three flyovers – each at university road-sir shah suleman road traffic intersec- tion (hassan square), pir sibghtullah shah rashdi road- stadium road intersection, near time medicos and sharea faisal- habib ibrahim rahimtoola road traffic intersection (karsaz). meanwhile, motorists passing through an alternative route made on ibne sina road (from gharibabad to liaquatabad no 10) to facilitate work on both the underpasses to be constructed at gharibabad and liaquatabad no 10 are facing hardships as road is quite bumpy and uneven at sev- eral places. in the absence of proper street-lights on alternative route, motorists are exposed to acci- dents as one cannot rule out the possibility of hitting the elevated concrete manholes which exist in the middle of the alternative route. moreover, as no proper safety measures have been provided at the route, especially from where diversion had been made on its either side, motorists, specially motorcyclists, are often seen applying breaks after reaching quite close to barricades put up for the closure of the main ibne sina road. one-window operation: on the directive of city nazim mustafa kamal, the city govern- ment has finalized all arrange- ments to launch one-window operation for timely payments to contractors, adds ppi. edo finance and planning roshan ali sheikh said that the operation would be launched within 15 to 20 days. he was talk- ing to a delegation of city government contractors association which called on him at his office. the association’s chairman s.m. naeem kazmi led the delegation. the delegation apprised the official about the problems being faced by the contractors and stressed the need for timely payment of bills, saying extraor- dinary delay in payments was creating problems to them.

http://epaper.dawn.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=07_03_2006_119_006

^^ this is just wrong. The CDGK needs to provide an explanation for why these funds have been delayed instead of just shelving them with obscure reasons.
That only leads one to suspect embezzlement.

KARACHI: Induction of 8,000 buses under UTS planned

KARACHI, March 6: The city government is going to induct around 8,000 new air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses under the Urban Transport Scheme in order to facilitate general public in the metropolis.

A senior official of transport and communication department told PPI on Monday about the induction of new buses to replace old buses aging more than 30 years and dilapidated minibuses and coaches, which have created air-pollution in the city and inconvenience to general public.

Around 285 UTS buses were operational on streets while around 10 new UTS buses would be introduced by the next month, he said and added that the Sindh government in this regard had offered incentives to the interested companies and individuals.

The transport and communication department had already identified around 32 routes for UTS buses in the city, apart from construction of various local bus termini, he said.

About the involvement of bus owners in UTS programme, he said that they had also been invited to take part in the development of public transport system in the metropolis but they refused.

The UTS programme was being financed by several monetary institutions, who would provide 90 per cent of the total cost of the buses as loans to the companies, while the remaining 10 per cent cost would be borne by the companies themselves, he said.

About failure of schemes in the past, he said earlier most of the companies refused to run their vehicles on routes shared with other buses, coaches and minibuses. Similarly, after getting all incentives from Sindh government, they deliberately failed to pay off their loans to receptive banks. As a result, monetary institution forfeited buses of the defaulters. —PPI


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/07/local15.htm

KARACHI: Karachi to get eight turbines from UAE

KARACHI, March 5: To improve power supply condition in Karachi, the United Arab Emirates, on the instruction of UAE President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahiyan, has gifted eight turbines of 240 megawatt each.

This was stated by Abu Dhabi Water Authority representative Tanveer Zaidi while talking to City Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil at her office on Saturday.

He said that all costs of their installation would be borne by Abu Dhabi government. He said that four turbines each would be installed at Port Qaim and Korangi Thermal Power Station. He said that four turbines of 80 megawatt would also be gifted to Lahore.

Nasreen Jalil thanked UAE President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahiyan for giving eight turbines to the city district government of Karachi.—PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/06/local25.htm

Hotel... yes its a requirement at Hasan Square.

KARACHI: Lyari Expressway: boon or bane?

http://img426.imageshack.us/img426/5062/lyariexpy29ek.jpg

By Zubeida Mustafa

SINCE April 2002 when President Pervez Musharraf laid the foundation stones of the Northern Bypass and the Lyari Expressway Project (LEP), the latter has been the focus of heated controversy among concerned citizens of Karachi. It has displaced 24,400 poor families and its feasibility is doubted by some traffic management experts so much so that it is constantly being asked, “Was this really needed? Will it improve the city in such a big way as to atone for its negative fallouts?”

In any case it is too late in the day to stop the work, nearly 50 per cent of which has already been completed. The director of LEP, Mr Yusuf Barakzai, says if you count the infrastructure (culverts, drain outlets, foundation pillars, etc.), 80 per cent of the work has been done.

“People don’t realize the importance of LEP. When it is completed, the roads of Karachi will be emptied of the traffic jams that have become a permanent feature of the city,” claims the director.

Being projected as a magic wand that will change the face of Karachi, the LEP will have 50,000 vehicles plying on it daily, says the LEP director. The traffic coming from Gulshan, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Nazimabad and other localities in the north of the city and moving to the city centre will use the Lyari Expressway because here the flow will be free and unobstructed. The south-bound dual lane expressway will carry the traffic from Sohrab Goth to Mauripur and vice versa on the north-bound section. Sixteen flyovers are planned above the bridges that connect the two sides of the city across the Lyari and four intersections will allow for traffic to get off the expressway or enter it.

“If many of the NGOs and media persons were to have their way, they would still want the work on the expressway stopped, so opposed are they to this project,” Mr Barakzai comments.

He took the writer for a drive on the under-construction expressway in his jeep – all 16.5 km of it – as he explained the details. Even though at places we had to make detours to the riverbed where there were gaps in the construction, it was a thrilling experience. The only distraction was the thought of the exorbitant cost (Rs8 billion being spent only on road construction) and the misery of the uprooted people that kept nagging one all the time. The expressway itself is a masterpiece of engineering. After all credit must be given to the FWO for the fine job it does when building a road.

But then why should the experts be opposed to something that makes such fantastic promises? A few days earlier I had driven on the road that runs parallel to the expressway. It was congested and in a pathetic state. Where the land had been cleared and the expressway structure had already been completed like a high wall cutting off the south of the city from the north, trucks and tankers have already started vying for room to encroach upon.

But you do not see all this ugliness from the majestic heights of the expressway –- it ranges from 4 to 5.5 metres, rising to 13 metres at the flyovers. It is a different world up there. But will it fulfil all those promises that are being held out when the project is completed in mid-2007? Whether the deadline is met -– it has already had to be extended from the original target of November 2004 — depends on the speed with which the land is cleared and handed over to LEP. The revenue department says it will complete demolition by June 2006. But problems are anticipated from some areas -– Mianwali Colony and Hassan Aulia village which have political clout and the leased land in PIB Colony where owners have gone to court.

There are four major aspects of the Lyari Expressway that must be kept in view when analyzing this mega-project. One is its traffic management role. The second is the cost factor. The third is its implications for the environment. The fourth is its impact on the people who have been displaced. Here we shall take up the first three. Resettlement will come later.

Background: The Lyari Expressway was nowhere in the picture until 1986. The Karachi Master Plan 1975-85 had proposed the Northern and Southern Bypasses to enable traffic going upcountry from Karachi port to bypass the city and thus ease congestion and pollution. The Southern Bypass was designed to go through the Defence Authority area and link Karachi port with the National Highway. It had to be dropped because of stiff resistance from the DHA on environmental grounds. The Northern Bypass that could have been easily constructed then was not built on account of the apathy of the policy makers.

Public attention was focussed on the Lyari, which wrecked destruction in 1977 when heavy rains caused severe flooding to 200 deaths. Wapda did come up with a flood protection plan but this was never implemented. In 1986, the Lyari Expressway was proposed as an alternative to the Northern Bypass, but was found unfeasible since 100,000 people would have to be evicted. The floods in 1993 led to the revival of the plan for the expressway as a device for flood protection apart from its function of providing another traffic corridor. Opposition from civil society led the Sindh government to arrange public hearings on the project in 1996 after which the Lyari Expressway was dropped and attention was focussed on the Northern Bypass for port traffic. This was found feasible in view of the fact that most of the land on which it was to be built was uninhabited. Four years later in 2000 the Karachi Port Trust decided to begin work on the Bypass on a BOT basis. It was to be a six-lane highway 68 km in length that would connect Mauripur to the Super Highway beyond the Toll Plaza at Sohrab Goth.

In June 2001 there was a change of heart and the government came up with the idea of building both the Northern Bypass and the Lyari Expressway together in the budget for the bypass alone. This two-in-one approach appealed to the highest quarters though it is not known how this feat was to be achieved by those masterminding it. The work was entrusted to the National Highway Authority and the FWO was appointed contractor for LEP and the NLC for the bypass. The alignment of the bypass was changed to make it shorter and its lanes were reduced to four to cut the cost.

With the Northern Bypass and the Expressway connecting identical points -– Mauripur and Sohrab Goth -– it is difficult to see how it will be ensured that port-related traffic uses the Northern Bypass (56 km) and not the expressway (16.5km). Mr Barakzai is confident that they will be able to divert the heavy trucks to the Bypass by imposing a heavy toll of Rs500 on the trucks using the Expressway. On the bypass they will pay only Rs50.

This need may not arise because an architect who has been watching the expressway coming up says it is not designed to take heavy vehicles. Even buses may not be able to use it because the slant at the flyovers is so steep that loaded buses will not find it easy to negotiate them.

One will have to wait and see how much traffic the expressway will take. It is difficult to believe that the idea of cars paying a toll of Rs5 and buses Rs20 for using the expressway will be accepted without a protest. Karachiites have resisted paying even a parking fee of Rs5. Mr Barakzai admits that we do not have a toll culture. But he believes this can be inculcated and he cites the example of Japan which he recently visited and where toll is collected on inner city roads.

As for the hope of traffic congestion being eased by the Lyari Expressway, professionals express their doubts. Arif Hasan, director of the Urban Resource Centre, a staunch critic of the expressway, believes that congestion can be eased if the wholesale markets, the small scale manufacturing units, and the warehouses that crowd the area between M.A. Jinnah Road south of the Lyari and the Estate Avenue north of the river were to be shifted to the vacant land round the Northern Bypass and the garbage recycling units be taken to the landfill sites. He insists that what was basically needed was sensible traffic management. The LEP did not even initiate studies on the traffic flow before the project was launched.

With no integrated traffic management plan for the city, and no move to build a mass transit facility, it remains to be seen if the addition of this extra corridor for the traffic of only one area of the city will resolve the congestion problem and facilitate the movement of vehicles.

Arif Hasan also finds the expressway socially and aesthetically undesirable. “It will cut the city into two and will not look at all becoming.”

The cost factor should not be ignored either because it will cut a big hole in the nation’s pocket. Originally it was budgeted for Rs5.1 billion. Now it is expected to be Rs8 billion –- inflation and increase in the scope of work have enhanced the cost. But Hassan says that the expressway could have been cheaper if the designers had not gone in for the expensive sand-filled wall all the way to the top. Since the wall is also to serve as an embankment, it could have been solid upto the flood level only with openings on the upper tier.

Environmentalists can be prepared for the worst. This is what a report obtained from the revenue department says: “Whether the environment evaluation, i.e., impact assessment undertaken separately in case of water, sewerage, solid waste, etc? Report the findings/recommendations, along with the measures to be taken for mitigating the environment pollution effects in consequence to implementing the project. No such assessment undertaken but it is certain that the natural environment along this stretch of Lyari river will improve substantially after the construction of the expressway.” Wishful thinking?

(Next: Lyari Expressway — resettlement).

http://img426.imageshack.us/img426/2064/lyariexpy17fn.jpg


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/08/local11.htm

just saw in gep that a US fims wants to build a seven satr hotel in karachi: mustafa kamal sayz.

Naimatuallah Khan, the former Mayor said that a Library would be built on that land, which I support more then a mosque complex ..

Why they hell must the government build religious buildings? I also support the library over the mosque any day.

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/6430/dawnsafpak5av.jpg

Best idea is still the Hotel. That area desperately needs it cause then it can accomodate visiting foreign dignitaries and delegates for the expo center, and can also accomodate players for the national stadium. That way traffic wont have to be held up for their movements across the city, and it will also bring a lot of uplift in land value to that area.

KARACHI: Chairlift at Safari

KARACHI, March 8: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the first-ever chairlift facility at Safari Park on Wednesday. Some 20 chairs have been installed to carry 40 people on a two-kilometre trip in 20 minutes and touch an apogee of 120feet over the lake. The thrilling part of the trip is the 300-feet-deep man-made ditch with almost perpendicular sandstone walls guarding the sub-terrain mini-river flowing through huge pipes spanning six feet in diameter. The charges are Rs90 per person for the trip.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/09/local23.htm

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Thursday/Nation/BT555597.txt/Article/

good news funds for the projects for karachi r released again i cant post the article cuz it was on yesterdays paper on dawn

KARACHI: Five mega projects to be ready in 4 months


By Azizullah Sharif

KARACHI, March 9: The city Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, said here on Thursday that all the five mega projects –- three underpasses and one leg of two flyovers — which are aimed at making a number of major roads signal-free (from SITE industrial area to Quaid-e-Azam international airport) will be completed in four months.

These projects include underpasses at Nazimabad petrol pump, Liaquatabad No 10 and Gharibabad to be built underneath Ibne Sina Road and one leg each of both the Hassan Square and Stadium Road flyovers which will be connecting Sir Shah Suleman Road with Stadium Road and Stadium Road with Habib Ibrahim Rahimtoola Road, near Time Medico, respectively.

Stating this at the largely attended ground-breaking ceremony of an underpass being built at Liaquatabad No 10 (Ibne Sina Road) at an estimated cost of Rs 350.03 million, the nazim said that with the completion of all the five vital projects, motorists taking this signal-free route from SITE area would reach Quaid-i-Azam International Airport within 15 to 18 minutes after passing through three underpasses and two flyovers, thus they would not only save time but fuel also.

Besides, people residing in SITE, Pak Colony, Nazimabad, Liaquatabad, Federal B’ Area, Gulshan-i-Iqbal and adjoining societies would also benefit from the signal-free route, encompassing Ibne Sina Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Stadium Road, Habib Ibrahim Rahimtoola Road and Sharea Faisal, he said.

The Nazim said with a view to getting all the five projects completed within a scheduled period, two new clauses –- one relating to reward and another punishment — have been introduced for the first time in the contract document.

Elaborating on the new concept of giving reward or punishment to contracting firms, he said if the contracting firm honours its commitment of completing the project on its scheduled date of completion, it would be given one per cent extra amount of the total cost of the project and in case it fails to meet the project’s deadline, it would be blacklisted and won’t be awarded contract of the CDGK’s projects in future.

Emphasising the need for completing all the five projects on time, he said in case one project gets delayed, the entire plan of making signal-free road from SITE to airport would suffer.

Divulging the details of Liaquatabad No 10 underpass, he said that the 695 metre-long and nine-metre wide underpass would have a depth of 5.50 metres with 75 street-lights. It would have 5.50-metre wide service roads and 1.40 metre wide footpath on its either side, besides there would be storm-water drain all along the underpass.

Mentioning a recent agreement signed between the CDGK and a Malaysian firm for constructing an elevated expressway to be built from Jinnah bridge to Quaid-e-International airport, he said the project which would be completed at an estimated cost of US $ 225 million will prove to be boon for Karachiites as it would not only serve as an alternative signal-free route to Sharea Faisal, but would also provide relief to motorists who often become victim of traffic chaos whenever there is a movement of dignitaries.

The ceremony was attended, among others, by DCO Fazal-ur-Rehman, Liaquatabad Town’s Nazim Osama Quadri, senior officials of the city government and a number of nazims, naib nazims and councillors of different union councils of Liaqutabad Town.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/10/local1.htm

KARACHI: CDGK, Microsoft sign MoU

KARACHI, March 9: The City District Government Karachi (CDGK) on Thursday singed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to help develop cutting edge e-governance services and solutions to improve the existing civic services.

The MoU was signed by Charbel Fakhoury, General Manager Microsoft, Gulf, and Syed Mustafa Kamal, the City District Nazim of Karachi.

Jawwad Rehman, Chief of Microsoft in Pakistan, was also present.

It was stated that with the signing of this MoU, Microsoft and the city District Government Karachi have entered into a collaborative partnership which exists in few cities around the world.

As a major component of the MOU, Microsoft also announced an investment towards developing a state of the art innovation centre.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/10/local18.htm

KARACHI: Two model parks, road projects inaugurated

By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, March 10: The newly-constructed Sehba Akhtar Road Extension was opened to traffic on Friday after it was inaugurated by the City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal.

Besides, two model parks developed in Gulshan-i-Iqbal’s UC-8 and 11 were also opened to people. Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town’s Nazim, Mohammad Wasay Jalil, accompanied the city Nazim, at the inaugural ceremonies of all the three projects executed by the Gulshan Town.

Highlighting the salient features of Sehba Akhtar Road’s extension work, Mr Jalil told the city Nazim that Sehba Akhtar Road which serves as a major link between Gulshan-i-Iqbal and Federal B’ Area has been reconstructed and widened, from 28 to 48 feet at a cost of Rs 200 million.

He said since a large number of motorists proceeding to and from Federal B’ Area and North Nazimabad take this route, the most latest signal with a timer, had been affixed at the road’s T-junction, near Railway crossing.

In addition to this, the nearby level-crossing which was earlier only 28-feet wide had been widened to 70-feet for smooth flow of traffic, he said, adding with a view to beautifying the area, two garbage dumping sites near the level-crossing have now been turned into flower beds while storm-water drain has been provided to bring an end to the lingering issue of accumulating water on Sehba Akhtar Road, especially near Ghazali mosque.

Mr Wasay said though the road had been opened to vehicular traffic from Friday, a number of works, such as cat-eye fixation and lane-marking work would be accomplished in the next 10 days. Railways’ DS Syed Nasir Zaidi, was also present.

PARKS: The City Nazim later inaugurated two model parks developed in Gulshan-i-Iqbal’s Block 13-D/1 (UC-8) and Block 4-A (UC-11).

Spreading over a similar area of two acres, both the Khulfa-i-Rashideen and Ahmed Saeed parks, have been developed at a cost of Rs 7 million and Rs 7.5m, respectively. The park set up at Gulshan’s Block 4-A (Journalist Society) has been named after journalist Ahmed Saeed Quraishi.

K-3 PROJECT: Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the park set up in Gulshan’s UC-11, the city Nazim said that the K-3 project, whereby the city would get additional 100 million gallons of water daily, would be completed by March 31.

He was optimistic that 99 per cent of the city’s water requirements would be met with the commissioning of the K-3 project.

Emphasising the need for improving the quality of life of the citizens, he said that the city government, in accordance with the wishes of MQM chief Altaf Hussain has already initiated a number of projects aimed at ensuring clean water, improved sewerage system, better roads and transport system, besides providing high quality education and proper medical facilities at the CDGK’s schools and hospitals.

He said that various vital projects such as construction of three underpasses on Ibne Sina Road, elevated express-way (from Jinnah bridge to Quaid-i-Azam International Airport), repairing of water and sewerage lines, privatisation of garbage lifting and disposal works, construction of three major nullahs in Orangi Town for disposing of the Township’s sewage into the sea have already been initiated. Besides, foundation-stone laying ceremonies of a number of other major projects which include construction of underpass at Nazimabad petrol pump, Hassan Square Flyover and Stadium Road Flyover, will be held in a couple of days, he added.

PUBLIC TOILETS: The Nazim later laid the foundation of eight public toilets which will be constructed near NIPA traffic intersection.

Mr Wasay Jalil informed the city Nazim that of the total eight public toilets which the Town was constructing with the financial assistance of philanthropists, five will be for men and three for women.

He said that the Gulshan Town administration has decided to construct a number of public toilets at different places, especially at markets and busy public places.

The ceremonies were attended, among others, by Gulshan Town’s Naib Nazim, Shoaib Akhtar, TMO Matanat Ali Khan and Nazims of union councils Nos 6, 8 and 11, Azhar Baig, Rehan Raees and Mohib Fatmi, resepectively.



http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/11/local6.htm

KARACHI: Karachi to have 5 new stadiums, says Kamal

KARACHI, March 10: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has said that five new stadiums would be built in the city on pattern of the National Stadium. He told a large gathering in Orangi Town on Friday that the plan to build five new stadiums in Karachi on the pattern of National Stadium had been already approved. He said that one of the five new stadiums would be built in Orangi Town with an estimated cost of Rs472 million.

Earlier, the nazim laid foundation stone of three sewerage projects worth Rs70 million in Orangi.

The projects, including construction of sewerage drains from Mianwali Colony SITE to Orangi Town’s Sector 2-A; from Sadiqabad to Gulzar Muhammad Colony; and from Islamnagar to TMA Orangi; would be completed in four months, he said.

He also held a public meeting and listened to the complaints and problems of area residents.

The nazim noted that Orangi was the biggest slum locality in Asia.

He said despite its huge population it had been ignored by all previous governments in the past.

Mr Kamal lamented that the area had been deprived of sewerage system for the last 40 years and sewerage water remained accumulated on its streets and roads.

He expressed hope that completion of the sewerage projects would help in flushing-out sewerage water from the area and provide it with an exemplary sewerage system.

Mr Kamal told the gathering that work on construction of roads in the town with a cost of Rs70 million was underway and 112 electricity poles had been removed in this connection.

The city nazim announced that 10 per cent of 100mgd extra water from K-III Project would be given to Orangi to meet water shortage in the area.

DCO Fazlur Rehman, Orangi Town Nazim Abdul Haq, Town Municipal Officer Qamar Sheikh, members of the town and union councils were also present.—PPI


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/11/local8.htm

KARACHI: Lift for special citizens at Mazar opens




By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, March 11: A lift ramp system for handicapped people to help them have easy access to the Quaid’s mausoleum was inaugurated on Saturday. The ramp leads to the lift at the lower podium of the Mazar enabling the special citizens to reach right at its upper edge.

The ramp has been constructed as per the international standards of 1:20 ratio. The special people can now reach the Mazar podium, which is around 91 feet above the sea level, without physical support by any other person. While the special people could enter the Mazar from any of its gates, the Bab-i-Iman on the M. A. Jinnah Road Extension side which is used by VVIPs, has been dedicated to them.

The lift for special persons built in a glass enclosure, has been especially designed to have two doors, one for entry and the other for exit to facilitate straight movement of a disabled person.

The proposal for the ramp was included in the original design of the mausoleum constructed in the early 1970s, through it was not built at that time. Later, the provision of this facility was included in overall plan of the Bagh Quaid-i-Azam which was executed in the year 2000. The ramp facility was again skipped.

Eventually, when Gen Musharraf visited the Mazar some time back, he ordered work on this facility.

On Saturday, federal Minister for Environment and Chairman of the Quaid-i-Azam Mazar Management Board Maj (r) Tahir Iqbal inaugurated the Rs6 million facility at a ceremony which was addressed by Khalid Lateef Chaudhry, Abdul Hameed and others.

The speakers noted that with the opening of the ramp system, the special people, who formed around 10 per cent of the total population, could visit the Mazar the great leader easily.

They said that the elevator was exclusively for the special citizens and urged all others not to use this facility to ensure its proper functioning for a longer period.

The speakers also appreciated the gesture shown by consultants Fahim Nanji D’Souza, architect Arshad Abdullah and Structural Engineer Mushtaq Bilal, for charging a taken amount of Re1 for their services in executing the project. A cheque of Re1 was presented to Roland deSouza on the occasion.

Earlier, the federal minister distributed prizes among the winners of Quaid’s Vision Photographic Competition. The first prize of Rs20,000 was given to M. Shakir Khilji. The second and third prizes went to Suleman Zaki (Rs15,000) and Gulraiz Ghouri (Rs10,000). Three merit prizes of Rs5,000 each were given to A. Kalam Ajaz, Ajaz Hussain and Shahid Ali.

Later, Major Iqbal visited the basement of the Mazar to inspect the restoration and redecoration work around the grave of Quaid-i-Azam. He was briefed on the project by architect Zaigham Jafri and Mohammad Arif of the QMMB. He directed them to carry out some modification in the glass and other works.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/12/local2.htm

KARACHI: Work on Nazimabad underpass launched

KARACHI, March 11: The City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, on Saturday laid the foundation stone of the Petrol Pump Chowrangi Nazimabad Underpass project. He said the said project and two other underpasses, at Gharibabad and Liaquatabad, will be completed in four months.

Speaking on the occasion, he said projects worth billions of rupees had been started in Karachi in just one week, which had resulted in the city’s non-stop travel on the road to progress. He said Karachiites would feel a positive difference after four months.

Mr Kamal said he believed in realism and pragmatism, adding that work on the project had started just a minute after unveiling its plaque, and it would continue till its completion.

He said the project would have two tracks of three lanes each, which would help in the smooth flow of traffic.

He said he did not want banners of appreciation, as serving people was his mission and an integral part of his duty.

He said no underpass had ever been completed in just four months in the history of Pakistan, but all this would be the first time that all the three underpasses of Gharibabad, Liaquatabad and Nazimabad would be duly completed in a period of four months.

He said work on these projects was started simultaneously, because had these projects been initiated separately, Karachiites would have faced hardships for 12 months.

He said the progress of Pakistan was linked to the progress of Karachi.

He said when the people of other developed countries worked on the uplift of their cities and countries, it was not that they were more educated than Pakistanis. However, their quality was that they fully owned their cities and countries.

He said he would strive hard for solving the problems of Karachiites, and ensure Pakistan’s progress through the progress of Karachi.

Kamal said there was a misconception that no work could be done in the city government without bribe and commission.

He said, as leader of this big entity, he had proved that the misconception was wrong.

He said no one could dare to take bribe under his management.

He said that saving some incidents at the lower level, the city government, he could safely claim, was corruption free.

He said Karachi was also the city of the DCO, the MD Water Board, the engineers, contractors and consultants.

Earlier, the nazim unveiled the plaque to kick-off work on the Nazimabad underpass project, while the DCO Karachi, Fazalur Rehman, and representatives of the contracting firm signed the project’s agreement.

FAIR AT EXPO: The city government is trying to make Karachi the region’s economic hub to attract more foreign investment, said the City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal.

He was speaking at the “First National Engineering Education Conference”, organized by the Ecommerce Gateway on the sidelines of the International Textile and Industry Fair (ITIF) on Saturday.

He said Karachi contributed about 68 per cent to the country’s total revenue and, therefore, it should be made the centre of economic activities in the region instead of just making it the country’s economic hub.

He said exhibitions like the ITIF 2006 could help in attracting foreign investment in Pakistan.

Kamal pointed out that the city government was improving infrastructure of the city, which was essential for attracting investment and boosting industrialization.

He said the city government had sought technical assistance from Chinese engineers along with local expertise for building roads, underpasses, flyovers and laying of water and sewerage pipelines in accordance with international standards.—PPI/APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/12/local1.htm

KARACHI: Monorail project to start soon, says Kamal: 8,000 buses in 5 years

KARACHI, March 16: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal on Thursday said that paperwork on the monorail project connecting Surjani Town to Merewether Tower had been completed and construction work on the project will start soon.

Talking to members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said during the next four years, around 8,000 CNG buses would ply on city roads to ensure adequate transport facilities.

He said work on the Sohrab Goth to Tower mass transit corridor would also start during the next few months.

Talking about corruption, he said he had returned all employees working on deputation to their parent departments to check corruption.

He said no one was above the law and everyone would have to work as per rules and regulations.

“If such elements are allowed to misuse their offices, they will not only ruin the city but will adversely affect the whole country.”

He said the K-III water project for supplying 100 million gallons of water daily to the city would be inaugurated during the current month and the city government is awaiting confirmation of the date of inauguration.

Mr Kamal said the city government was developing eight car parking lots on the M A Jinnah Road besides constructing multi-storeyed parking plazas. The parking plazas would be catering to 1,500 to 2,500 vehicles.

This would be a good investment opportunity for investors, he said, adding that investors would be provided facilities including approval of the map.

About the Jehangir Park in Saddar, the nazim said it was not used by families for recreation due to which the city government was seriously thinking of converting it into a parking lot.

“We know that environmentalists will write articles against us but we intend to make Saddar area convenient for pedestrians.”

The city nazim announced that intercity bus terminals including bus terminals operating at Old Sabzi Mandi and Lea Market will be shifted out of the city in the near future.

Work on establishment of three bus terminals was already in progress, he added.

He said the city government’s records were being computerised with the support of Microsoft, which he added, would help check the issuance of duplicate files of land vis-à-vis checking fraud and bogus land transfers.

The computerisation would also enable the city government to receive complaints of citizens through email, he said.

Talking about improvement in the city’s infrastructure, Mr Kamal said the city government was working on the sewerage system before starting working on roads.

He said investors were pouring their money into Karachi only because of their commitment and love for the city, Sindh and their country.

He criticised the previous city government for just laying a plaque at the Gharibabad underpass. Groundwork on the project never started there, he said. But he added that his government had made a comprehensive plan and would complete the said underpass in four months.

“Citizens are in trouble due to massive construction work on the roads but they should show patience. I am sure they will pray for us after completion of all projects in the city,” Kamal remarked.

The city nazim reiterated that the airport to Site road would be made signal-free for which two flyovers at Hassan Square and Time Medicos would be constructed.

A fly corridor from Karachi Port to Quaidabad on the National Highway will also be constructed.

“A Malaysian firm will construct this corridor for $225 million, which would be paid back in 15 years from the toll tax income.”

He also announced that a city government-KCCI liaison committee had been formed for consultation on city government plans. A notification about the committee will be issued in a couple of days, he said.

Kamal said the city government was also working on the city master plan so its haphazard expansion could be brought under some discipline.

Earlier, KCCI President Haroon Farooki said the city government should combine all taxes being collected from traders and industrialists. “The business community is willing to pay taxes but it should be reasonable,” he remarked.

—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/17/local4.htm

KARACHI: N. Nazimabad to have three pedestrian bridges soon


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, March 16: Work on construction of three pedestrian bridges over the main and busy roads of North Nazimabad Town will begin in two weeks, the Town Nazim, Mumtaz Hameed, said on Thursday.

He was briefing newsmen about the town’s development plans and measures taken so far for retrieving amenity plots from encroachers and the land mafia. The town’s Naib Nazim, Ehsanullah Khan, and TMO Mehmood Hassan were also present.

Unfolding details of the pedestrian bridges, the town nazim said the 20-ft high bridges, each costing Rs10 million, would be built at the Golden Gate restaurant near the Board of Secondary Education, Farooq-i-Azam Masjid adjacent to 2-K bus stop, and in Shadman Town near the Rose Garden Restaurant.

With the construction of all three pedestrian bridges, not only will the general public and students, especially those visiting the Board of Secondary Education and nearby

educational institutions, face any difficulties in crossing busy roads, but the number of accidents at these thoroughfares will also come to an end, he hoped.

He said with a view to providing relief to the handicapped and elderly people, all three brides will have ramps besides a special ramp in the pedestrian bridge to be built near Farooq-i-Azam Masjid.

Three firms – Gujrat Steel, the United Construction and Almeda Road Advertising – have already been qualified for constructing the bridges on built-operate-and transfer basis. The firms will recover the cost of the bridges in 12 years through advertisements.

HYDRANT: Agreeing with newsmen that the Sakhi Hassan Hydrant had become a source of accidents and extensive damage to nearby roads, Mr Hameed said he would take up the issue of its shifting with the city nazim.

He said neither were the town’s residents benefiting from the hydrant nor were those operating it giving any money to the town for repair or construction of roads, he supplemented his reply.

To another query, he said he would ask the KWSB to shift its huge pumping machines from 5-Star traffic intersection. Their presence in the mid of the busy intersection, he said usually blocked the vision of motorists coming from either sides.

Referring to the town’s campaign aimed at retrieving amenity plots from encroachers, he said just recently, over 200 huts and the Hyderi police station, which were illegally built on a huge plot in North Nazimabad’s Block-G were removed. He said the same plot would now shortly be turned into a grand gymkhana.

Besides, a park in Block B had also been retrieved from encroachers, the town nazim said.

In addition, around 10 rent-a-motorcycle stands had been smashed following receiving complaints that most of the people hiring the motorcycles were indulging in crimes, he said.

About the uplift plans, he said each of the 10 union councils of the town had been given Rs0.7 million for undertaking repair and patch works of streets.

Moreover, the town was installing 200 sodium lights on all double-track link roads, he added.

To a question, he said it was for the first time in the last 24 years that the town administration had disallowed setting up of stalls in the periphery of Hyderi Market during Eid days in which over Rs0.7 bribe was involved.

Such stall were not only creating hindrances in the smooth flow of traffic but were causing inconvenience to shoppers as well, he added.



http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/17/local14.htm

KARACHI: 51pc work on LEW completed, Ibad told

KARACHI, March 18: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan said that the objective of the Lyari Expressway was not only the construction of a highway but to provide a better housing environment to resettle people and to protect them from the hazardous environment of the Lyari River.

Dr Ibad said this while presiding over a meeting held at the Governor’s House here on Saturday evening in which the progress of the work on the Lyari Expressway was reviewed.

He directed the authorities concerned to conduct a detailed study regarding the river’s environment.

The meeting was informed that 51 per cent work on this 16.50 km long two-way highway had been completed.

The governor directed that all the hurdles in the way should be removed amicably and the project be completed according to the programme.

The programme envisages removal of garbage dumps and encroachments from both sides, growth of greenery around and in the middle of the highway and better lighting arrangements. It was pointed out that the National Highway Authority was working in this regard.

Dr Ibad asked the authority to expedite the construction of the new road linking Orangi-Qasba with the city.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, Principal Secretary Mohammed Saleem Khan, Secretary Local Government Mohammed Ishaq Lashari, DCO Fazlur Rehman, Lyari Resettlement Project Director Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, Yusuf Barakzai of the NHA, Brig Falak Sher of the FWO, EDO Revenue Saleh Farooqi and others.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/19/local6.htm

KARACHI: Karachi on way to self-reliance, says nazim

KARACHI, March 20: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that concrete steps are being taken for making the city government economically stable and viable so that it could continue to work on self-help basis even if its grants from provincial or federal governments are not available.

The nazim was talking to a delegation of the thinktank of the Karachi Council for Foreign Relations and Economic Affairs here on Monday.

The delegation comprised former Chief Justice Pakistan Justice Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqi, former ambassador S. Mansoor Alam, former ambassador and Chairman of the Aga Khan Foundation S. K. Dehlavi, Honorary Consul General of Romania Ahsan Mukhtar Zuberi and others.

They appreciated the city nazim’s efforts towards development of Karachi and observed that if the uplift work continued at this pace, the citizens of Karachi would soon feel a very happy change.

They noted that Karachi and its nazim were not enjoying the authority and status given to New York, Copenhagen, Tokyo and other developed cities and their mayors. It is essential that the nazim of Karachi, the world’s seventh biggest city, should enjoy a similar authority, they added.

They apprised the nazim of their plan to highlight the city’s political and economic importance across the world through diplomatic corp.

In this regard, they said, 13 ambassadors of African countries were coming to Pakistan. The delegation requested the city nazim to brief the visiting diplomats about the steps being taken for the welfare of the citizens of Karachi. They also invited him to address the thinktank.

Mustafa Kamal thanked the visitors and said that Karachi would no more remain a neglected city. “We all will work together for its progress and reconstruction,” he added.

He pointed out that the CDGK did not indulge in discrimination. “We think and act for all the 18 towns same way, either they are the 14 towns having Haq Parast nazims or the rest having non-Haq Parast nazims… Rather, the latter, some times, are given more funds than the former ones.”

Mr Kamal said the city government leadership was striving to get Karachiites their due rights and facilities. Although the problems here are too many, but all out efforts are being made to get them resolved with proper planning. The results will start appearing in four-six months.

He told the delegation that when he took over as city nazim, there had been no proper record of allotment of lands, lease and revenue. The entire record was lying scattered in various offices. Within the next six months, not only the entire record was collected, but it was also properly compiled. As of today, 95 per cent data has been complete.

The city nazim pointed out that now the city government’s expenses were not being met through sale of lands. The city government has rectified and strengthened the revenue system to run its projects with special focus on recovery of dues.

“We want to make Karachi most attractive business city of the region,” he declared.

However, he said that in this fast-moving era, the government alone could not do everything. People would have to come forward through the public-private partnership to help the city government in this regard.

He said the city government had started working on a priority basis to provide quality education and health facilities.

The nazim said that experts and professionals, including those belonging to the FPCCI had been associated with the committee set up to harmonise education with modern educational system while medical experts and prominent people in the pharmaceutical sector had been inducted in the hospital management system, enforced to provide quality and free medical facilities.

He said that results of such efforts had started emerging, and cited the example of the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where, he pointed out, even aspirin tablet was not available and equipment were lying out of order until recently.

But now, he added, not only the quality medicines were being provided to people at the hospital, but its Trauma Centre also offered quality services matching those at some good private hospitals.

The thinktank delegation members offered Syed Mustafa Kamal the patronship of their council and presented him its memento.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/21/local12.htm

KARACHI: Land allotted to three foreign investors


KARACHI, March 22: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that a coordinated programme has been chalked out for economic progress of Sindh whereby foreign investors will come and set up units here. He was speaking at a ceremony held for issuing allotment orders to foreign investors for setting up schools and industrial units.

He said the land has been allotted under new Land Grant Policy which would result in creation of job opportunities.

Dr Arbab said in the light of directives of the President and the Prime Minister, the Sindh government had chalked out a comprehensive plan for foreign investment in Sindh and the same is under implementation for which an investment cell is working at the Chief Minister’s House.

He said the three companies which have been given allotment orders have been bound down for providing jobs to local people.

He said L&A (Pvt) Ltd has been allotted five acres for Shofda International School on 99 years lease on 50 per cent concessional rate which comes to Rs 5 million per acre. The company will invest 150 million dollars.

Beerat and Hosin has been allotted six acres on same terms and condition for Rugby School and will make an investment of 100 million dollars in Sindh.

The chief minister said these companies belong to France and UK and as per terms and conditions will provide free uniform, boarding and books to 10 per cent poor students.

He further informed that M/s Metro will invest 500 million dollars for Cash and Carry stores. It is a German company involved in multi-million consumers goods business. It has been allotted 11 acres for industrial purposes at 75 per cent concessional rate. It will provide jobs to about 500 persons besides training farmers in tin-packing of fruits and their preservation.

He hoped that with this 750 million dollar investment, Sindh can be steered on the path of progress and prosperity.

Talking to the media on the occasion, Dr Arbab pointed out that in other countries, free land is given for investment while in the Punjab it is being allotted at a cheaper rate.

He said that with a shift in the policy, it has been decided to give land without auction on 99-year lease and decision to grant lease will be taken by a committee and not by the chief minister.

To a question, Dr Arbab informed that 22 acres has been allotted to three investment companies. No one is being favoured but government is working for development and elimination of unemployment.

He told a questioner that if an allottee does not start work on allotted land within six months, the deposited amount will be confiscated.

He said that policies being given by President and Prime Minister are being executed while past governments did not pay attention on these projects.

The Chief Minister informed that a party convention will be held in Hyderabad on March 30 in connection with the PML’s centenary celebrations which are starting from March 23 while a labour convention will be held on April 1.—AP

http://dawn.com/2006/03/23/local3.htm

Work on Mass Transit Corridor-II likely by June: Nazim

(Updated at 1840 PST)
Karachi: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal Thursday said that steps were being taken to ensure initiating of work on the Mass Transit Corridor-II by June 2006.

This US$500 million project would be constructed with the help of China.

Addressing to a joint meeting of city government officers and representatives of the Chinese firm, Sinomatch, here, Syed Kamal said that he would raise this issue with senior officers of the federal government and, if necessary, meet with the president and prime
minister to tell them about the importance of this project and how badly Karachi needs it.

He said that during the visit of the president to China, it was decided that China would help in construction of the Mass Transit Corridor-II in Karachi with estimated cost of US$500 million (Rs 30 billion).

He said we were trying our best that see formal launching of this project, because the construction of Mass Transit and elevated expressways was a must to solve the traffic problems of Karachi.

City Nazim stressing the need of early initiating of the project said that we had already wasted 30 precious years, and now it was high time to kick-off big projects. He said that if the work on Quaidabad-Jinnah Bridge Expressway and the Corridor-II could be started, simultaneously, the most of traffic problems of the city could be solved after their completion in a few years.

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/mar2006-daily/23-03-2006/main/update.shtml#33

I'm starting to doubt whether rail-based mass transit in Karachi will ever become a reality

KARACHI: Efforts on to start work on Corridor-II, says nazim

KARACHI, March 23: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday said that steps were being taken to ensure initiation of work on the Mass Transit Corridor-II by June this year. The $500 million project would be executed with the help of China. Addressing to a joint meeting of city government officers and representatives of the Sinomatch, an organization working under the federal government of China, the nazim said that he would take up this issue with senior federal officials and, if necessary, would call on the president and prime minister to tell them about the importance of this project and how badly it was needed.

He said that during the president’s recent visit to China, it was decided that China would help construct the Corridor-II with an estimated cost of $500 million.

The city nazim stressed on an early launching of the project, saying: “we have already wasted 30 precious years but it’s time to act by kicking off big projects.”

He was of the view that if work on this project and the Quaidabad-Jinnah Bridge Expressway could be started now and simultaneously, this would resolve most of the traffic problems in the city within a few years.

He said that these two projects would attract an investment of around Rs45 billion and provide jobs to thousands of people.

Under a bilateral deal, China would extend loans for mega projects on very easy terms and the federal finance ministry had expressed its willingness to utilize the loans in executing the Corridor-II project.

The city nazim assured the Chinese delegation that this project would be handed over to the Sinomatch as soon as the clearance was given by the government of Pakistan.

Syed Mustafa Kamal described the Pakistan-China friendship as ‘exemplary’, and pointed out that Chinese investors were investing in Pakistan and Chinese products were becoming very popular in this country.

He said that many people were coming here from China and any problem faced by them would be resolved. He invited Chinese people to work with Pakistanis, and remarked: “I would not waste more time and want to work for a better future for Karachi and its people.”

The delegation thanked the city nazim for his warm sentiments and lauded his services for Karachi. It asked him to send city government’s engineers to China so that they could get acquainted with the Chinese technologies, the way of their working and to develop their skills further. The nazim expressed his gratitude for the generous offer.

Earlier, the meeting was briefed about the Corridor-II project. The corridor, between Orangi and Cantonment Station, would have an eight-kilometre elevated expressway and six-kilometre underground road from Garden to the Cantonment Station. It would be linked with the Corridor-I at the intersection of Garden Road and M. A. Jinnah Road.

The meeting was also told that the Quaidabad-Jinnah Bridge Expressway, which would be built by a Malaysian company, would be linked with the Corridor-I at the Jinnah Bridge. Underpasses: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal at 3:45am on Thursday paid a detailed visit to the ongoing development projects at Gharibabad, Liaquatabad and Nazimabad.

The officials concerned told him that the water supply lines passing through the sites had been shifted from the under-construction Gharibabad underpass while the work on shifting the sewerage lines would be completed in the next four days.

He was informed that 95 per cent of water and sewerage lines had been shifted from the Liaquatabad underpass site those at the Nazimabad underpass site would be removed in the next five days.

Expressing his satisfaction over the work carried out so far at the sites, Mr Kamal directed the officials to maintain this pace of the construction work and start the work on second phase after completing the first phase in two months.—PPI/APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/24/local5.htm

KARACHI: Nazim seeks report on uplift work

KARACHI, March 23: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has asked the committee, comprising members of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry for monitoring development works in the Korangi Industrial Area, to submit a report about pace and quality of the works.

Talking to a KATI delegation, led by its Chairman Gulzar Feroz, he said: “I want a report prepared by the private sector and not by the department.”

He told the delegation that the committee members should regularly monitor the development works and send to him the report so that any problems coming to light could be sorted out.

Mr Kamal said the city government was very keen to see industrial development and would provide all possible facilities and cooperation industrialists in this regard.

He said that the city government was spending Rs250 million on fire services and, in return, receiving Rs60 million in taxes. He sought cooperation from citizens, particularly industrialists and other businessmen, in the payment of water and sewerage conservancy and fire taxes.

The nazim said that certain problems faced by factories would stand resolved with the installation of water meters within their premises.

The delegation apprised the nazim of the problems relating to roads, water and sewerage facilities, as well as an easy system for tax payment.

ROAD PROJECT: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has taken a serious notice of delay in the implementation of his directives for the development work on the 8000 Road in Korangi, and decided to visit the site.

At a meeting, he ordered removal of all hurdles in the way of shifting utility services lines to one side of the road, and said that the decision about relocation of different services would be taken after his visit to the site.

He was informed that the delay in the implementation of his directives was caused due to the heavy load of work relating to the shifting of utility services present across the project site.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/24/local22.htm

KARACHI: 400 literacy centres planned

KARACHI, March 23: The Naib Nazim, Nasreen Jalil, has said the city government will open 400 literacy centres in the city for which the literacy department has started planning. She was speaking as the chief guest at a stone laying ceremony of a swimming pool for women at Muslim Gymkhana on Sunday.

She underlined the need for such literacy centres for children and young people who were not going to schools.

She said in view of the rapid population growth and lack of attention by parents, it was imperative to set up literacy centres in every area and mohallah where children could be equipped with education.

Nasreen said the literacy development department, which was planning for setting up 240 literacy centres, had now decided to raise the number to 400.

The naib nazim said the literacy rate in Karachi was higher than in other areas of the country and majority of the children here were school going.

She said it was a good omen that people coming here from other parts of the country, too, sent their children to schools.

She described the Memons, a law abiding community which, she said, had set a good example in society for others.

She added that it was necessary for everyone to abide by the law to have a better society to live in.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/24/local17.htm

I'm starting to doubt whether rail-based mass transit in Karachi will ever become a reality

umeed nah chor kashmiri ak den sub sapne poore ho geh :)

i hope youre right!

an ad in DAWN newspaper, Sat. March 25th, 2006:

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4237/khiproject6ko.jpg

fantastic project ;)

nice one swerveut ur the first one to actually put something on from the e-newspapers.

KARACHI: Local products to be preferred: nazim

KARACHI, March 25: The City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, has asked private sector organisations, working in collaboration with the city government, to prepare such packages which may prove beneficial for the people and city of Karachi and also bring their lives in harmony with the modern age.

He was chairing a meeting in which a briefing was given by a representative of the manufacturers of mechanical sweeping machines, fire brigade and solid waste management vehicles.

The city nazim said locally manufactured machinery should be preferred to imported ones in order to promote and encourage the Pakistani industry and products.

In such a case, he said that immediate technical assistance remained readily available for replacement of out-of-order spare parts and other equipment.

He said the city government gave preference to suppliers providing good quality machinery at competitive prices.

The nazim, on the occasion, also formed a committee comprising Khalid Javed, Sohail Ahmed, Akhtar Abbas, Chief Fire Officer Kazim Ali and Engineer Shakeeb.

The committee will work with the private company by providing assistance and technical know-how for preparing financial proposals with regard to development works in Karachi.

Mr Kamal directed that a sort of system should be devised in liaison with private organisations that can work with the city government on partnership basis.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/26/local12.htm

KARACHI: 100mgd more water for city from 31st: Ibad: K-III undergoes test run

KARACHI, March 25: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said that the people of Karachi will start receiving 100-mgd additional water from K-III project from March 31. “The government is working on a planning for meeting the city’s water requirement for the next 50 years and the city government has started a study in this regard. The study will be completed by the end of this year. After the process, the work on K-IV and other projects will be started.”

The governor was speaking after pushing a button to activate the K-III project machinery at Dhabeji Pumping Station for a trial run on Saturday.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, DCO Fazlur Rehman, KWSB Managing Director Brig Iftikhar Haider, Project Manager Misbahuddin Farid and other officials were present on the occasion.

The governor announced that in the distribution of the additional water, preference would be given to Lyari, Orangi, Baldia, Gulistan-i-Jauhar and the areas which were without water till date. For the first time, 22mgd water would be allocated for industrial areas.

He pointed out that the Rs6 billion project had been scheduled to be completed in July this year, but after taking over as city nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal paid special attention and got it completed three months ahead of the schedule.

Karachi receives 540mgd water against its requirement of 650mgd. The K-III project would meet much of its remaining requirement. However, he regretted, 30 per cent of the available water was going waste because of line leakages. He said that the city government had already taken steps to check this waste.

The provincial government, he pointed out, was paying special attention to development and encouraging industries. In this context, he said that with the launching of the K-III project, industries would get double the quantity of water being supplied to this sector at present.

He said that industries could progress when facilities were provided to them and their progress would bring about economic improvement and create jobs for jobless.

The governor said: “President Pervez Musharraf has been requested to formally inaugurate the project.”

The special feature of this project is that it has been linked with the Hub water supply system. In the event of water shortage at the Hub source, the deficit areas would easily be supplied water through the K-III.

In reply to a question, Dr Ibad said that the provincial government had closed down a number of illegal hydrants. The Rangers had voluntarily withdrawn from the tanker service but agreed to retain the same at the government’s request, made amid apprehension of mismanagement in water distribution, he added.

He said that the tanker service could not be done away with immediately because there were certain areas which were not receiving the tap water.

Speaking on the occasion, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said that new lines were being laid in the areas which were not being supplied tap water. As soon as the network is completed, the tanker service would come to an end automatically.

The nazim said: “We thank Allah and felicitate people on completion of the K-III project ahead of schedule. With the commissioning of this project, the city’s 98 per cent area will start receiving water, especially Gulistan-i-Jauhar which is not receiving water despite the existence of lines in five out of its 13 blocks.”

He said that planning was being done viz-a-viz the use of computer in valve operation to check irregularities in water distribution. All valves will be operated through computers from one room only after two years, according to him.

Regarding the prevailing water shortage, he said that the situation was result of a decline of 45mgd at Hub dam.

Replying to a question, he said that the water board land had been handed over to a private party under a court order. “However, the city government has completed arrangements for filing an appeal in the Supreme Court.”— APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/26/local5.htm

KARACHI: Cleaning of heritage buildings begins


KARACHI, March 26: The city government has in collaboration with the “Karavan Pakistan” started a special campaign for cleaning the city’s buildings of heritage importance starting with the cleaning of the defunct KMC building on Sunday morning.

The cleaning drive was participated by prominent people from various walks of life including towns and UC nazims and naib nazims, councillors, senior officials and other personalities.

Adviser on Local Government Waseem Akhtar was the chief guest at the ceremony held at the lawn of the old KMC Building.

Various groups headed by Adviser Waseem Akhtar, Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, Chairperson Heritage Foundation Yasmin Lari, noted artist Samina Pirzada, Ruth Zumbuhi of the Swiss Consulate, prominent Artist Shahla Rehman, and others were formed, which took part in the building cleaning.

A float was also put on display by Saddar Town from where enchanting tunes of national songs were played.

Addressing the ceremony, Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil said the city government was taking steps for protection and preservation of the city’s buildings of heritage importance.

She pointed out that at present, there were 600 buildings of historical significance in the city as identified by the Karavan Pakistan and of them about 50 were under the city government’s control.

She said those who would like to work as volunteers could register their names with her office. She said some 50 persons would take part in this mission on daily and weekly bases.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/27/local10.htm

KARACHI: Ibad seeks strategy on preservation of heritage

KARACHI, March 26: Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad has emphasised the need for chalking out a realistic line of action based on positive thinking for preservation of historic and heritage buildings and places. “Such a strategy should be pursued with continuity for progress,” he said while presiding over a high-level meeting at Governor’s House.

The meeting reviewed the promotion of tourism and sports, provision of facilities in playgrounds, functionality of culture department and performance of social welfare department.

Stressing on inter-district coordination, the governor said that all possible steps would be taken for promotion of sports to augment healthy trends in the province.

He directed that a calendar of cultural, sports and recreational events should be compiled and a provincial sports policy be prepared so that people and especially the youth were attracted towards various sports activities.

The sports and culture department, he said, should bring to the fore talented boys in sports, who could bring good name to the country and this province.

He pointed out that provision of better environment to sportsmen was the department’s basic responsibility and for this purpose required facilities be provided in all stadiums.

Ishratul Ibad was informed that for the first time a youth directorate had been established to provide encouragement to the youth. He called upon the department officials to identify the problems of the youth throughout the province and organise seminars, symposia and discussions in cooperation with the district governments.

He said that the youth directorate should also have its policy which would help generate positive thinking in the youth and new talent would come forward.

Reviewing the performance of social welfare department, the governor said that there were about 12,000 street children in Karachi. He asked the department to make emergency efforts for the welfare of these children and arrange for their accommodation, education and training.

He suggested that cooperation of good non-government organisation be sought in this regard so that these children were brought up as useful citizens in the future.

He inquired about the performance of NGOs functioning in the province and called for compiling their data. He said that these NGOs should be categorised according to their field of work. He said that a directory of these NGOs should be prepared while compiling their data which will help in having an easy review of their working.

The governor sought a monthly report about Darul Aman and Darul Atfal and said legal matters be expeditiously processed for providing facilities especially to women. He told the social welfare department to cooperate in legal matters for speedy submission of cases of women in Darul Amans before the courts.

He took stock of health, sanitation and female education in Darul Amans in Karachi and Hyderabad. He asked the department to focus on women education through cooperation with NGOs.

Reviewing the performance of culture and tourism department, he told the meeting that Sindh was rich in cultural heritage and the department should be further activated for its promotion.

Ishratul Ibad pointed out that a lot of foreign exchange could be earned in the field of tourism.

He directed the tourism department officials to focus railway stations and airports for tourism promotion and make brochures, information booklets available to people and foreigners free of cost. He asked the officials to focus at least 10 recreational places in Sindh and provide all modern facilities there through public-private partnership.

The governor directed that planning be carried out in respect of Sadhu Bela, coastal areas of Thatta, places around Keenjhar Lake which were most appropriate places for recreation. He said that facilities to be provided should include chair lifts, boats, water sports etc.

He asked the officials of culture department to prepare a web site containing information with regard to cultural identity of every district.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Sindh Sports Minister Qamar Mansoor, Finance Adviser M.A. Jalil, Culture Secretary Mehtab Akbar Rashdi besides officials of concerned departments. —APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/27/local6.htm

Monday, March 27, 2006

Islamabad approves PC-1 of new Jinnah hospital towers

Staff Report

KARACHI: Federal Health Secretary Anwar Mahmood has said that the federal government has approved the PC-1 of four towers to replace the existing structure of the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center (JPMC).

The four towers, each 12-stories high, would be built at a total cost of Rs 6 billion. The project would help a large number of patients through one-window medical and diagnostic facilities.

He stated this while talking to journalists on Saturday at JPMC after briefing the members of the National assembly standing committee on health about the centre.

In the next ECNEC meeting to be chaired by the prime minister, the project would be presented for final approval. JPMC Executive Director Dr Mashoor Alam said that the towers would be built with earthquake proof techniques. The old blocks of the hospitals would be demolished over time. Educational and training institutions, including the nursing school and physiotherapy training centre might also be redesigned and relocated.

A consultant firm had completed the design work of the Jinnah Towers. JPMC is spread over 70 acres of land, out of which 20 were occupied by illegal encroachments. On the rest of the 50 acres, 23 different units with a bed capacity of 1,185 and 21 OPDs are operating. Almost one million patients visit the centre from all over the country each year.

Home | Karachi

KARACHI: DUHS training centres

KARACHI, March 27: The DUHS has finalized all arrangements to mark the formal beginning of the School of Nursing and Institute of Medical Technologists, on the premises of Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases from April 3.

DUHS Vice-Chancellor Prof Masood Hameed said here on Monday, that the two training centres were housed at the Ojha Institute, an allied institution of the varsity.—APP



http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/28/local21.htm

KARACHI: Nazim for judicious distribution of water

KARACHI, March 27: Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal has issued directives for judicious distribution of 100mgd water under K-III project and said that steps be initiated to supply water to areas which hitherto remained unfed or were without a supply system as well as to industrial areas according to their needs.

Addressing a meeting of officials of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board here on Monday, the City Nazim observed that water supply to city has reduced due to short supplies from Hub Dam.

However, for the first time in the history of Karachi, K-III project has been linked with Hub Canal, he pointed out.

He said K-III water will reach pipelines from April I and the areas which used to get water from Hub dam, will be able to get water from Indus source in case of short supplies from Hub.

He directed the KWSB to make preparations on priority basis for supply of water to areas which are already in deficit, including parts of Lyari, Orangi, Jamshed Towns, Mahmoodabad, Manzoor Colony and blocks of Gulistan-i-Jauhar which are not getting water.

He called for gearing up water and sewerage works in all the towns which are being carried out at a cost of Rs90 million and said work be immediately taken in hand for laying network in areas which hitherto were devoid of it.

Nazim Karachi pointed out that industrial zones are in our priorities and these will be provided all required facilities.

For the first time, he said, 22mgd quota has been allocated for industrial areas and the same will be available from 100mgd additional supply from K-III project.

The Nazim told the officials to work on priority basis to check 33 per cent water leakage.

ENCROACHMENTS: Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal said here on Monday that defeated elements were misguiding people over encroachments issue, and said that the so-called politicians and patrons of land mafia have become active after city government’s drive against encroachments.

Mustafa Kamal said that a handful of elements are politicising things through demonstrations, sit-ins and statements.

He said not a single legally regularized village in Karachi had been demolished.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/28/local9.htm

KARACHI: CHK gets medical, surgical supplies

KARACHI, March 27: A local NGO, Healthcare and Social Welfare Association (HASWA), in collaboration with House of Charity, run by overseas Pakistanis, handed medical and surgical supplies from USA, worth several millions, to Surgical Unit Six, Civil Hospital on Monday.

The chairman of the CHK’s governing body, Abu Shamim Arif along with DUHS vice-chancellor Prof Masood Hameed and Medical Superintendent, CHK, Dr Kaleem Butt also attended the ceremony organized to mark the occasion.

Donors from USA, Ghulam Mohamamd Bombaywala and Mrs Hashmat Effendi of the House of Charity, Houston, Texas were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, HASWA President Dr Feroz mentioned that HASWA, during the last few years, had also provided medical and surgical supplies to the NICH and the CHK.

“HASWA has also sent a number of local children with traumatic deformities for treatment in the USA in collaboration with the House of Charity,” Dr Feroz said.

Prof Saeed Qureishi of Surgical Unit Six, Civil Hospital Karachi thanked the office-bearers of the two NGOs for their donation, which he assured would go a long way to help the needy patients coming to the CHK.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/28/local18.htm

some nominal cleaning of the empress market is going on currently. Hopefully, the CDGK will shift the wholesale market out of this beautiful colonial public structure and away from the city center.

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/9517/empmktclng2le.jpg


an old picture of Empress Market (c. 1890)

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1738/empress20mkt20pc18908xi.jpg

Yasmeen Lari (Lari Associates) were given the contract on renovating the Empress Market by KMC back in the early 1990's. The plan was to have a vast pedestraianized, vehicle-free square in a most congested central district, with Empress Market (c. 1888) as its focal point. The surrounding existing shops would be housed in a sunken development, around open-to-sky atriums, at the rear of the historic structure. The project was to be completed in 1996, but never materialized. You can read about the project here:

http://www.hecarfoundation.org/yasminlari04.html

Architect: Yasmeen Lari,
Lari Associates
Client: Karachi Metropolitan Coropration
Location: Preedy Street, Prince Road Frere Street and Mansfield Street
Area of Project: 390,000 sqft.
Cost of Project: Rs 500.00 million.
Year of completion: 1996.

Some pictures:

http://www.hecarfoundation.org/images/yasmin/imgd05.jpg

http://www.hecarfoundation.org/images/yasmin/imgd06.jpg

^^ this above project was shelved about a decade ago. Due to government changes and strife in Karachi at that time, nothing was done. Right now, all that is happening is just a simple cleaning of the facade being supervised by the heritage foundation. Currently, the CDGK hasnt shown any plans to remove encroachments in the area or to renovate the surroundings.

Current state of the crap and rubbish that is surrounding the bautiful market:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/2034/empress20market20karachi20068z.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4696/empress20market20karachi20075a.jpg


What a stark contrast from its old days of glory... :ohno:

Wow... So ugly... Pakistani have absolutely NO asthetic sense what so ever...

^^ poverty is blind to aesthetics. These people are basically people who set up shops in shacks, and since the government was never there to remove them, they gradually turned into ugly structures of a more or less permanent nature. This site can still be reclaimed if the government really gets serious about our heritage.

what we need is organized commerical markets .... basically what the local governments should do is not to remove them because these people are already so poor it will only add to their problems...instead the local govt should constuct cheap but properly registered and organized markets like for example the food park in islamabad....small shop huts in a planned market some where else then this location....like some where nearby

KARACHI: Investors to be given full opportunities: Arbab

KARACHI, March 29: The Chief Minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, has said the Sindh government will provide all possible facilities to local and foreign investors for setting up industrial units in Sindh, especially in Karachi.

Chairing a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House on Wednesday, Dr Arbab said that on the recommendation of the Board of Investment, a final decision had been taken for allotment of 1,200 acres of land in Dhabeji for industrial purposes to the Mercedez Demler Company and 400 acres to the Prime Transport Company.

The meeting was attended by Federal Commerce Minister Hamayun Akhtar, State Minister Umer Ghumman, Provincial Ministers Adil Siddiqi, Irfanullah Khan Marwat, Sardar Nadir Akmal Leghari, Adviser on Finance M A Jalil, the chief secretary, secretaries of finance and industries, member land utilization and other senior officials.

The chief minister said President Pervez Musharraf had issued special directives for attracting more and more investment into Sindh and setting up of maximum industrial units here so the province could progress and its people could be provided with maximum employment.

He said the land allotment procedure would be simplified to greatly facilitate investors so they can setup more industries.

He asked the industries department to get projects prepared through experts for establishment of industrial parks. He called for emergency measures for providing basic facilities in the Nooriabad Industrial Estate.

Dr Arbab said industrial plots in the Kotri Industrial Area should be freed from the occupation of the land mafia.

He said that work on plots allotted for industrial purposes must start within six months, and if any unit does not come up in two years, the allotment should be cancelled.

He said that 1,700 acres had been given in Nooriabad for industrial purposes. “It will be investigated whether or not it is being used for the specified purposes,” the chief minister said.

He also said that another 1,300 acres would be given in Nooriabad for industrial units.

The Sindh government, he said, had simplified laws in relation to land for industries during the last two months, adding that such land would be given to industrialists at a price 25 per cent less than the market rate.

He said that conditions in Sindh today were conducive. As a result, foreign investors were showing interest in setting up units in Karachi, he added.

He said the Sindh government will plan setting up industrial parks in Sindh.

He said the Mansha group will be invited to set up industries.

The State Minister, Umer Ghumman, informed the chief minister that the federal government planned to establish a textile city in Sindh, and that foreign investors were keen to make investment worth $12 billion in Sindh.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/30/local3.htm

KARACHI: K-IV project planned to meet future water needs

KARACHI, March 29: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board has chalked out K-IV project, the largest water project of the metropolis, among other mega projects to meet future water requirements of the city.

The KW&SB has appointed a consultant to identify alternate system quite different from the existing water supply system and prepare the feasibility as well as Project Cost-I (PC-I) at the earliest.

According to an official of the KWSB, all out efforts are being made to get approved the project from federal government aimed at providing additional 600mgd water to Karachi and launch the first phase of K-IV project by the end of December this year. After approval, the official said, K-IV project would be completed in four phases in 20 years.

The city government and provincial government will approach the president and prime minister to get approved special water quota of the 600mgd water from the Indus River System Authority, which is required for the K-IV project, he added.

Other KWSB projects include desalination plant for additional 25mgd water, water loss reduction programme to remove leakages for saving 180mgd water and effluent treatment plant to make available more 35mgd water.

Recently, the water board has completed K-III project that will supply 100mgd additional water from River Indus source. The 100mgd additional water supply project would be inaugurated by President Pervez Musharraf on March 31. Out of total supply under the K-III project, 95mgd water will be procured to Karachi city and 5mgd water to the citizens of Hub.

At present, 450mgd and 60mgd water is being supplied to Karachi from River Indus and Hub dam sources, respectively.

With the launching of K-III project on March 31, he said, the total water supply to the city would go high up to 605mgd. However, to meet the water needs of all citizens 648mgd water was required for Karachi. At present, the population of Karachi is 14 million with a growth rate of 6 percent annually, which will considerably increase in the coming years.

To meet the water needs in the future, the KWSB has planned to develop K-IV project in four phases, and each of the four components of K-IV will have the capacity 150mgd. In this way, a total of 600mgd additional water will be supplied to the city in the next 20 years.

The KWSB has decided to take up alternate route for K-IV project from Keenjhar Lake to Karachi city. This plan has been conceived to continue water supply to the metropolis in case of any disaster, which can collapse KWSB water supply system.

At present, he said, 450mgd water is being supplied from Keenjhar Lake to Karachi. The bulk water system covers 75-km coming via Gharo and Dhabeji along the National Highway.

The federal government has allocated over one billion rupees for water loss reduction programme, which will save at least 180mgd.—Online


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/30/local10.htm

what we need is organized commerical markets .... basically what the local governments should do is not to remove them because these people are already so poor it will only add to their problems...instead the local govt should constuct cheap but properly registered and organized markets like for example the food park in islamabad....small shop huts in a planned market some where else then this location....like some where nearby

Well, my opinion is that they should be relocated to another more appropriate site for the wholesale buisness, the same way that Sabzi Mandi was relocated. The government should construct properly planned market spaces and assign them to the merchants who currently operate at the empress market site. Once they are relocated, the actual market should be refurbished and converted into a public recreation area such as a park or a museum. Or even some kind of a better quality organized market that keeps the beauty of the structure intact.

If its done this way, the area will benefit a lot. The merchants will have new, cleaner and better planned spaces to conduct their buisness at, a historic landmark would be saved, a recreation space would be created in the center of the city, and the congestion of the area will be removed.

DO NOT! REMOVE THEM!

You remove them and you will hurt the income of these people. Even if you relocate them they will not make the same profits.

KARACHI: Early resumption of KCR discussed

KARACHI, March 30: The Prime Minister’s Implementation Committee on Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) met here on Thursday and discussed matters relating to speedy implementation of decisions regarding the completion of first phase of circular railway which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in April 2005.

The meeting, presided over by State Minister for Railways Ishaq Khan Khakwani, was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Development, Secretary Transport, DG Mass Transit representing City Nazim, DS Railways and Project Director.

In the meeting, the contract for sale of tickets on circular railway system was awarded to the new contractor following expiry of term of the previous one. The contract was given at 30 per cent enhanced offer being the highest bid.

“This indicates the great patronization of Karachi Circular Railway”, said Mr Khakwani while talking to APP after the meeting.

In the meeting funds were allocated for refurbishment of existing coaches as these were being used by commuters for the last one year so that quality and standard of facilities being provided is maintained for comfort of commuters.

The committee allocated Rs 2 million for renovation of coaches at Railway Carriage Workshop.

The committee also approved the construction of a new station near M W Tower, which will be named as Tower Station.

It approved the registration of Karachi Urban Transport Company (KUTC) with the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan for which funds amounting Rs 10 million were sanctioned. The Company will have an authorized capital of Rs 10 billion.

Funds amounting to Rs 5.2 million were also allocated for uplift of a portion of the KCR Track.

For second phase of the Project, the Japanese and Chinese have shown their interest in the project. In view of this, funds were allocated for setting up befitting offices of the company for which space will be provided in the Divisional Superintendent Head Office.

Khakwani told APP that work on second phase will start shortly for which paraphernalia is being set up.

The Rs 600 million dollar second phase project envisages revival of KCR for operation of high speed trains with overhead electrification, modern stations and spurs connecting Quaid-i-Azam International airport with Drigh Road station and Pakistan Railway’s network for which Chinese and Japanese companies have already shown their interest.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/31/local10.htm

KARACHI: Resettlement site emerging as model township: Taiser Town Scheme-45




By Latif Baloch

KARACHI, March 30: A new township adjacent to the Khuda ki Basti and with all basic amenities is coming up fast to rehabilitate those displaced due to the execution of the Lyari Expressway project.

It is the second site being developed by the Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project (LERP) in the Taiser Town Scheme-45 in sectors 35, 36, 50 and 51 for the rehabilitation process.

Launched in June 2003, the project is making good and speedy progress. A visit to the site shows that as many as 9,911 housing units allotted to the affected families have been completed while another 6,500 units are under construction.

A total of 17,448 housing units are expected to be developed at the project site, it is learnt.

The town, a suburban sprawl, is being developed at a fast pace with priority having been accorded to the availability of all basic facilities, including transport linking it with the main city to facilitate the social and commercial activities expected to be hectic in near future.

A green look is being given to the resettlement site with plantations on both sides of the main and link roads and vital public buildings such as school, dispensary, mosque, market, government offices, etc.

Plantation is being carried out through the recycled sewerage water treated through a drip irrigation system.

Amazingly, in a short span of time, steps have been taken to complete the internal and external road network. A shopping centre with 75 shops has also been built to ensure availability of essential commodities to the local residents.

It has been observed that learning from the Hawkesbay Resettlement Scheme, this time the LERP has given priority to the availability of basic facilities such as water supply, sewerage, storm-water drain, gas and electricity.

Consequently, steps have been taken to provide facility of piped water to the people and a supply line in this regard has almost been completed.

It is expected that the town will receive drinking water within weeks through a 24 inch-dia pipeline linked with the NEK filter plant. The total length of the pipeline is nine kilometres.

The KESC has also completed electricity works in sectors 35, 36 and the administrative corridor while work is in progress in sectors 36/A, 50 and 51. Besides that, work on gas network has also been completed in sector 35 while the work the in sectors 36/A, 50 and 51 is in progress.

Arrangements have been made for loan facilities through banks for the purpose of house construction and small business. Currently, two private banks are operating in the area to help people in this regard.

Separate hawker sheds have been developed at various places to prevent encroachments in the resettlement site.

At present, two hawker zones exclusively reserved for women have been constructed to enable the womenfolk to run their own retail businesses. Besides that, space has been reserved for community centres, sports and parks.

The town also has a post office, maternity home, women skill development centre, a dispensary and a chain of public and private sectors schools with a tidy environment.

The idea of introducing zoning and block system for each activity is aimed at preventing encroachment on government land in future.

Area people, interviewed during the visit, said they were very happy with their new life because of the availability of all facilities, particularly free education for their children.

Though the majority of the students belong to the resettled families, a sizeable number of students from the nearby locality of Khuda ki Basti are also attending the town’s schools.

The LERP Project Director, Shafiqur Rahman Paracha, said the focal point of the project was to introduce a network of educational institutions besides provision of civic amenities.

The resettlement site has 19 schools — 17 primary and two secondary. Five of them are being managed by the Citizens Foundation and two by the Pakistan Baitul Maal.

The total number of students in all the 19 schools is more than 4,000, according to him.

He said because of the increasing number of students, many schools have started afternoon shifts. Free quality education was being imparted to the students, he said, adding that uniforms and shoes were also being provided to the students free-of-cost.

In reply to a question, Mr Paracha said teachers were recruited from the community which had played an active role in motivating parents to send their children to schools. “They (teachers) are agents of social change,” he remarked.

The first resettlement project was launched in December 2003 in the Hawkesbay Housing Scheme-42. Taiser Town Scheme 45 is the second one while the third one is being developed in Baldia Town.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/31/local16.htm

DO NOT! REMOVE THEM!

You remove them and you will hurt the income of these people. Even if you relocate them they will not make the same profits.

Merchants that operate in the Empress Market area are not really poor. Some of them in small shacks may be but the ones on the inside and with more permanent structures have a thriving buisness and some are even millionaires. What they dont have though, is any sense of civic responsibility.

I staunchly support their relocation to a cleaner, better site, or STRICT regulations concerning their use of space in the historic market. We need to protect our heritage from misuse and decay on the hands of commercialization.

Also, a new site even if it is far away from the current site, would redeem its merit in the facilities and space it would provide. Not to mention ease and shopping comfort free from the traffic hassles that deter most people from going to the Empress Market area.

Image source: epaper.dawn.com, Friday Mar 31st, 2006

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/8572/civiccntrkhidn6gh.jpg

So is there any chance that they will move these people out of empress market? The place has some great potential...

KARACHI: E-govt aimed at curbing corruption, says Kamal

KARACHI, March 31: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that the process of the CDGK and its subordinate departments’ conversion to e-government has been initiated and computerized system is being introduced at UC level at a cost of Rs10 million.

“We are taking steps for establishing a coordinated and best possible linkage between civic organisations and people through the use of technology,” he said while addressing a ceremony held on Friday at the Civic Centre in connection with the handing over of computers to 90 UCs.

Mr Kamal said that speedy communication would provide citizens with access to information about all civic activities through their own computers while complaints regarding water, sewerage, sanitation, and even against civic bodies, could be lodged online within no time.

He said people could personally monitor the action that would be taken on their complaints.

The introduction of computer system in UCs would help them keep a proper record of birth and death, the nazim said, adding that it was for the first time in the city’s history that civic organisations were being computerised from top to bottom.

In the first phase, all towns and 90 UCs are being given computers and the remaining UCs will get the same in the second phase, by April 20 this year after which the city government, towns and UCs will stand connected with each other through computer network.

“This is the practical shape of our announcement some time back that corruption will be curbed and employees’ capabilities will be enhanced through technology. This shows that we believe in practical steps and reality,” the city nazim said.

He pointed out that today, corruption was being controlled around the world through technology. Therefore, he added, steps had been initiated to make the CDGK an e-government.

Referring to the computerisation of the land department records, he pointed out that prior to this process, a plot would have showed many ownerships causing problems to its actual owner. But now, due to the computerisation of the record, right of the genuine owner is protected.

No attention had been paid to this problem as the authorities in the past believed in cosmetic working. “The Haq Parast leadership believes in concrete action to make people’s life comfortable,” he said.

HERITAGE: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, making a pledge that the precious cultural heritage of Karachi will be preserved, said that the city government was taking steps to repair, maintain and renovate the historical buildings and structures in the city.

Talking to citizens while inspecting the repair and renovation work at the Kothari Parade in Clifton and Empress Market in Saddar late Thursday, he said, “these old buildings are the part of our history and could not be left unattended to get decayed and vanished.”

—APP/PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/01/local5.htm

KARACHI, April 1: The city of Karachi is expected to shake off its image of a troubled port city of Pakistan as the hi-fi five-day export exhibition —- Expo Pakistan 2006 — attracted a good number of prominent businessmen, delegates and journalists from across the world, said an exporter.
The metropolitan — that has been a target of terrorism for more than a decade – successfully host to guests from all over the world participating in the export exhibition. Managers of the mega export fair found no resistance from any quarter to stage a peaceful exhibition in the heart of the city.

The image of the Quaid’s city had been tarnished because of several bombing incidents, which unfortunately occurred in the key business areas targeting foreigners. Five star hotels — that are now booked to capacity — were subsidising room rents to cope with low occupancy trend in the past. The situation worsened when a suicide bomber targeted Western guests outside a five star hotel.

Despite a bad image in the media caused by these terrorist acts, Karachi continued to provide highest revenues to the government. The law and order situation was worst during the 90s but it, however, improved with the passage of time except for isolated acts of violence.

Exporters said on Saturday that the exhibitions like Expo Pakistan should continue in future and more and more foreign delegates should be invited to promote the image of a truly cosmopolitan city of the country. Exporters said they had been facing problem in the past in inviting buyers to Karachi to place export orders because of its bad image, but the Expo had helped to eliminate the problem.

“Image has become the central point in all businesses, whether it is a product, service, a country or a city,” said Abid, a garment exporter.

The first expo held last year was also peaceful which helped the organizers to promote Karachi as a terrorism-free place and the economic hub of the country.

However, most of the exporters were of the view that such exhibitions should be held on a regular basis for at least another 10 years which will earn a permanent good image for the city. They suggested that more money should be spent to improve the image of Karachi as ultimately, it will yield results more valuable than the expenses.

Thousands of colourful flags were hoisted in the main areas of the city, while nearby buildings were illuminated to present a glittering image of Karachi. Before the exhibition roads and footpaths were repaired and painted. The traffic management was reasonably good, but not excellent, because the traffic load on roads had multiplied by several times in the last five years.

Some foreign journalists also visited the expo and expressed good opinion which is yet to appear in their respective newspapers.

Exporters were found unsatisfied with the coverage of the expo in the electronic media and accused the organizers of not realising the importance of the media. They said some private channels were being watched world over and an early campaign over these channels could have produced more positive impact on the expo.

“Next time services of an image building company should be hired to promote Karachi as one of the best commercial cities of the world and most attractive place for trading and manufacturing,” said S Kaleem, a pharmaceutical company’s representative.

karachi, april 1: the city of karachi is expected to shake off its image of a troubled port city of pakistan as the hi-fi five-day export exhibition —- expo pakis- tan 2006 — attracted a good num- ber of prominent businessmen, delegates and journalists from across the world, said an exporter. the metropolitan — that has been a target of terrorism for more than a decade – successful- ly host to guests from all over the world participating in the export exhibition. managers of the mega export fair found no resistance from any quarter to stage a peaceful exhibition in the heart of the city. the image of the quaid’s city had been tarnished because of several bombing incidents, which unfortunately occurred in the key business areas targeting for- eigners. five star hotels — that are now booked to capacity — were subsidising room rents to cope with low occupancy trend in the past. the situation worsened when a suicide bomber targeted western guests outside a five star hotel. despite a bad image in the media caused by these terrorist acts, karachi continued to pro- vide highest revenues to the gov- ernment. the law and order situ- ation was worst during the 90s but it, however, improved with the passage of time except for iso- lated acts of violence. exporters said on saturday that the exhibitions like expo pakistan should continue in future and more and more for- eign delegates should be invited to promote the image of a truly cosmopolitan city of the country. exporters said they had been fac- ing problem in the past in invit- ing buyers to karachi to place export orders because of its bad image, but the expo had helped to eliminate the problem. “image has become the central point in all businesses, whether it is a product, service, a country or a city,” said abid, a garment exporter. the first expo held last year was also peaceful which helped the organizers to promote kara- chi as a terrorism-free place and the economic hub of the country. however, most of the exporters were of the view that such exhi- bitions should be held on a regu- lar basis for at least another 10 years which will earn a perma- nent good image for the city. they suggested that more money should be spent to improve the image of karachi as ultimately, it will yield results more valuable than the expenses. thousands of colourful flags were hoisted in the main areas of the city, while nearby buildings were illuminated to present a glit- tering image of karachi. before the exhibition roads and foot- paths were repaired and painted. the traffic management was rea- sonably good, but not excellent, because the traffic load on roads had multiplied by several times in the last five years. some foreign journalists also visited the expo and expressed good opinion which is yet to appear in their respective news- papers. exporters were found unsatis- fied with the coverage of the expo in the electronic media and accused the organizers of not realising the importance of the media. they said some private channels were being watched world over and an early cam- paign over these channels could have produced more positive impact on the expo. “next time services of an image building company should be hired to promote karachi as one of the best commercial cities of the world and most attractive place for trading and manufac- turing,” said s kaleem, a phar- maceutical company’s represen- tative.


Source: Dawn e-Paper

KARACHI, April 1: The warm reception accorded to the Expo Pakistan 2006, currently in progress at Expo Centre in Karachi, by the foreign businessmen, only goes to reconfirm the fact that Pakistan has an immense export potential in both traditional and non-traditional items. All that needed — is a proper introduction to international business players and some space for private sector for matchmaking with business houses of the West.
A review of the 5-day mega event showed that businessmen and their representatives were quite excited and pleased with the commerce ministry’s performance this year.

The commerce ministry with the support of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is primarily responsible for putting up the show.

Unlike last year, there are believed to be many genuine potential western buyers of Pakistani products in attendance this year. Four days into the exhibition and the private sector of Pakistan has already signed a number of MoUs with visiting trade teams. It was learnt that many business houses and associations had been approached by representatives of international business houses in the city to make inquiries in order to evaluate different business options.

Some of the foreign delegates asked for their impression by Dawn, appeared quite satisfied with the arrangements and were all praise for Pakistani hospitality. They found the country to be a lot better than the way it is projected in international media. “We only discovered the real Pakistan when we disembarked the flight,” said a representative of a major business group. “Frankly, we carried a scary image of your country,” he said and added that he was not aware of what they were missing out.

“My colleagues and I are impressed by the quality of exhibits at the expo and are looking forward to forging a long term business relationship with Pakistani entrepreneurs and traders,” he said.

The local business community is expecting many new trade and business relationships to materialize as there is a lot of matchmaking taking place on the sidelines of the expo. It would take about a year’s time before the actual gains to the local businesses and to the Pakistani economy accrue. Business leaders are, nonetheless, satisfied with the show: “The outcome is far better than what we expected,” Ameen Bandukda, Chairman Site Association of Industry said commenting on the Expo.

He confided that the community was initially sceptical since the previous exhibition was not able to attract the kind of crowd from abroad that business people were expecting.

One of the reasons, they thought, was that last year the event’s organization was handed over to an agency that probably mismanaged the show. “The government can not and should not do it alone. It is a business event and its success to a great measure will depend upon the level of involvement of direct market players,” said the chairman SITE Association. This year the government did well to involve trade associations and exporters in the organization of the event.

The business community attributed the proper performance of the Expo to a number of factors. “In my view three major factors that contributed to the success are: one, inducting the private sector in the organization; two, efforts by the government to avoid mistakes of the last year; three, very effective performance of commercial councillors of Pakistan in Western countries,” say Atiq A Kochra, Zonal Chairman of the Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (Prgmea). He observed that there was no doubt in his mind that Pakistan had the potential and given an enabling environment the private sector can work wonders for the country.” Some textile associations have reportedly booked certain halls in hotels, where the delegates are housed, to facilitate their members to make one to one contacts with the visitors.

Zaid Bashir, the CEO of Gul Ahmed Lawn, who is exhibiting at the expo, expressed some reservations. He said: “We have mostly management people here and not the decision-makers. It would be unrealistic to expect too much from them,” adding: “We should target the right people to make most out of this exercise.” Some businessmen were also critical of the government for unnecessarily politicising the event. “We have a tendency to transform everything into a political affair. If the government wanted to honour the delegates it could have been done in some other way. Too much involvement of the political hierarchy in a business event only leads to frustration and time loss. Who likes to wait for the identification for hours, to listen to lengthy boring speeches, or for that matter, how could a fashion show exhibiting Eastern dresses in day-time amuse Westerners. They do not. These delegates are here to make business contacts and establish business relationships, the government should let them do what they are here for and should not tax their patience for accepting an invitation,” said an angry businessman who did not approve of the VVIPs presence, which he felt, was more of a hassle.

Another marked feature of the exhibition was absence of businessmen from Saarc region. There are delegates from US, Sweden, France, Germany, Canada and several other far off nations but none from India, Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka was spotted. “They are our competitors and not buyers primarily. However, it would have been good had they been here as well. Indians must be interested but there still are procedural problems that act as a discouraging factor,” Amin Bandukda felt. “May be it reflected the old mindset of looking Westward even when more can be achieved at much lesser cost by trading in the region,” commented another businessman.

Weighing benefits against costs, the local business community generally felt that even if a handful of major deals are done, the event would be worth its while.



Source: Dawn e-Paper

KARACHI: DHA gets PR land to set up museum

KARACHI, April 1: The Defence Housing Authority has embarked on developing a museum complex spread over five acres acquired from the Pakistan Railways in Karachi. The project includes a contemporary art museum, Karachi heritage museum, folk art museum and an army museum.

The Foundation for the Museum of Modern Art (FOMMA) is setting up the FOMMA-DHA Art Centre temporarily in a building at the Race Course Gardens, which has been made available to FOMMA by the DHA.

There would be a display space for medium size exhibitions and facilities for group discussion, lectures, seminars, slideshows, etc.

The FOMMA is also actively working to establish contacts with major museums of modern art in various countries to make arrangements with them for the exchange of art publications and other audio-visual material.

In a specific area of the museum development, FOMMA is currently working with the DHA and the Heritage Foundation for developing a museum enclave as part of the DHA’s 112-acre Race Course Gardens project.

In close proximity to the gardens, the DHA has acquired four colonial-era buildings from the Pakistan Railways.—PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/02/local19.htm

KARACHI: Next Sindh ADP outlay to surpass Rs24 billion: Arbab

KARACHI, April 1: Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim said on Saturday that maximum possible funds would be earmarked for development projects in the next budget so that unemployment and poverty could be alleviated.

He was speaking at a meeting held in connection with annual budget for the fiscal year 2006-07. Sindh Finance Adviser M.A. Jalil, Chief Secretary Fazalur Rehman and Finance Secretary Israr Ahmed also attended the meeting.

Arbab Rahim said that 50 per cent population of the province was faced with poverty and backwardness while in five districts, 82 per cent people were faced with the same situation. “We need concrete proposals and revolutionary measures to overcome this situation,” he observed.

The chief minister said that the size of next Annual Development Programme would be bigger than the current one thus the new development outlay would surpass Rs24 billion.

The industrial estates located in Karachi, Nooriabad, Kotri, Hyderabad and Sukkur would be provided with better facilities while a proposal to set up a new industrial estate for foreign investors between Gharo and Dhabeji on the National Highway is also under consideration.

“We would also endeavour to equip public sector hospitals in the province with modern facilities to provide the poor people with better healthcare,” he said.

The meeting was informed that Rs785 million were allocated for health sector during the current year of which Rs136 million were spent by December 2005.

The chief minister said that women health projects, for which the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank had given Rs1,400 million should be completed in time. He expressed hope that the 897 development schemes of current ADP would be completed within specified time.

About education sector, he said that efforts should be made to make the free education programme of government a success and directed the officials to improve 13,967 buildings of primary, middle, secondary and higher secondary schools in the province.

Currently, he said, there were 40,559 primary, 24,000 middle, 1,543 high schools, 151 higher secondary schools, 23 intermediate colleges and 185-degree colleges in the province. He pointed out that around 2.736 million children were enrolled in primary schools in the province but efforts should be made to increase the enrolment.

“It is hoped that the enrolment would improve as during the new fiscal year it has been planned to upgrade 1,200 primary schools to middle schools, 204 secondary schools to English medium schools and 1,000 primary schools would be added 1,000 classes,” he said.

The government would focus on timely completion of development projects, he said, adding that the tourism resorts like Moen Jo Daro, Gorakh Hill Station, Rani Kot, Kot Diji and Khirthar National Park would also be developed to attract tourists.

The chief minister directed to ensure more water supply projects during the next fiscal. He was told that Rs11,935 million were being spent in Karachi and Rs6,650 million in Hyderabad on water supply and drainage projects. He said that allocations should be enhanced for forest and agriculture sectors in the new budget.

He said that his government planned to build bridges over River Indus at the distance of every five miles so that cities and towns on both banks could be connected through better communication facilities.—PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/02/local7.htm

KARACHI: Rauf reviews work at Taiser Town

KARACHI, April 2: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui paid a detailed visit to review the progress of ongoing work at Malir Housing Project, Taiser Town. According to an official statement issued here on Sunday, the home minister directed the authority concerned to ensure early completion of ongoing project.

He said that nobody would be allowed to grab the land in the city.

Rauf Siddiqi said that the project was introduced by the government to provide low-cost shelters to people.

Amir Zada Kohati of Malir Development Authority and other officials were also present on the occasion.

madadgar centre: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui on Saturday inaugurated a centrally air-conditioned ‘Madadgar-15’ Centre at Tariq Road Crossing, Shahrah-i-Quaideen.

The home minister said that cooperation of philanthropists in establishing Madadgar-15 Centre was the manifestation of confidence of different communities in police.

Rauf Siddiqui said that the matter was under consideration to hand over induction process of fresh personnel for Madadgar-15 Centres under community policing to the communities.

Appreciating the integrated efforts made by the Rangers and Sindh Police to ensure peaceful environment in the province, he said that policemen were discharging 18-hour-long duties to ensure security of people.

The minister also presented the documents of the vehicles including four new Suzuki police pickups donated for the newly inaugurated centre.

These vehicles would be used for round-the-clock patrolling on Sharea Faisal and its surroundings areas.

The patron of the Jamiat Punjabi Sodagran-i-Dehli, Shamim Arif Farpo, who provided the financial assistance for the construction of Madadgar building, said that he would continue to support the development of coordination between communities and police.

The PTCL PECHS Exchange has also provided six telephone connections including a telephone hotline for the centre. Through the hotline, the calls of local residents would directly be received at Madadgar-15 Centre, Shahrah-i-Quaideen.

This is the first ever air-conditioned Madadgar-15 Centre, where all the latest facilities are available for the force.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/03/local14.htm

KARACHI: Roads to be opened next week: nazim

KARACHI, April 2: Karachi Nazim Mustafa Kamal has said that all under-construction roads in the city will be opened for traffic next week thereby providing commuting facilities to people. He stated this during a visit to development projects on Saturday night. He inspected the pace of progress at the project sites from midnight till Sunday morning.

The nazim visited Kothari Parade and under-construction Beach Park besides various road projects including Garden Road, Nazimabad, Liaquatabad, Gharibabad underpass and New M.A Jinnah Road.

He said that the New M.A. Jinnah Road opposite Islamia College would be opened for traffic next week following which Garden Road and the road to Pak Colony would be opened for traffic.

He said that the objective of inspecting the projects during night hours was to ensure that work on them continues round-the-clock. He said that claims used to be made about round-the-clock work in the past, but in fact it used to remain suspended from 8pm to 9am as a result of which the project used to suffer inordinate delays.

Mr Kamal pointed out that weather conditions in Karachi were such that work during night hours could be carried out fast and in a better manner and, therefore, the work must continue round-the-clock.

He emphasised upon developing a culture of carrying out work during night hours. He said that the officials, contractors and consultants also remained present on the sites because of his night visits, which was a positive change. It would have positive impact on the city and a visible change would be felt very soon, he added.

EDO Works Sarfraz Shah, EDO IT Dr Atardas, senior engineers of water board, contractors, representatives of consultant firms and other concerned officers were present on the occasion. doctors suspended: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal paid a surprise visit to Spencer’s Eye Hospital of city government late Saturday night.

He ordered immediate suspension of three doctors Khalid Mahmood, Hamid Inam and Jabbar for being absent from their duties and issued show cause notices to Medical Superintendent Dr Sultan and EDO Health Dr Khalid Shaikh.

The nazim warned that such people would not be tolerated who showed negligence.

Taking notice of a report about the pathetic condition of Spencer Eye Hospital, the nazim directed that DCO Fazlur Rehman should be included in the committee already set up for the development of hospital and asked it to inquire into the matter and submit a report within a week.

The nazim had earlier received a report that Spencer’s Eye Hospital was once Asia’s best hospital and cornea transplantation in Pakistan had started from this hospital. The report stated that the hospital used to provide glasses and medicines to people free of cost. But, the hospital’s condition worsened with the passage of time. The report stated that no facility was being provided to people at present despite its having a budget of million of rupees. The patients have to purchase medicines from outside while doctors ask them to first buy the glasses.

Mustafa Kamal expressed great displeasure over this situation. He went round all the wards and inquired from patients about their welfare and the facilities provided to them.

—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/03/local6.htm

I am surprised that the Mayor talks about everything, he however has failed to clean his own Civic Center building. I was in Khi last month and happenned to be visiting the office, it is messy everywhere. I am wondering if they cannot clean their homes can they clean ours.

I am a great supporter of Mustupha Kamal--so Jamatis should not start monkey jumping pls.

I am posting this news item as a tribute to those who died at the hands of reckless driving of minibuses. The police really need to start cracking down on minibus drivers who indulge in unsafe driving.

http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/3640/khibusacc4xm.jpg


10 die as minibus falls off bridge


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, April 2: Ten passengers were killed and eight others injured when a minibus fell several feet down off the ICI Bridge on Sunday morning in the Mauripur area. Police said, the vehicle was heading towards Merewether tower from Dockyard carrying fishermen, labourers and an employee of Pakistan Navy, who also died in the accident.

According to some eyewitnesses, two policemen on a motorcycle were apparently trying to stop the vehicle at the bridge. But the minibus of route A-3 had attempted to overtake and fallen off the bridge. After the accident, the policemen had sped away from the spot, witnesses claimed.

According to Edhi sources, seven passengers died on the spot, while the three succumbed to their wounds at the Civil Hospital.

The dead were identified as Mushtaq Husain, Muhammad Mushtaq, Mehmood, Wiladat Ali, Muhammad Sharif, Muhammad Ayub, Ahmed Zaman, Ishrat, and two brothers Muhammad Safdar and Rizwan. Ishrat was identified as chief petty officer of the Pakistan Navy who was going home after completing his duty.

The brothers were returning from the Dockyard, one of them was a driver while the other one was a cleaner.

Sixty-five-year old Muhammad Ayub, a fisherman residing in Nayabad Lyari, was also on his way home. Some of the injured were also taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. On account of Sunday morning, hospital emergencies had a meagre strength to tackle such incidents.

The driver of the minibus identified as Shakil was taken to the Civil Hospital along with the injured, but after getting first aid, he managed to slip from the hospital taking advantage of chaos.

During investigation, police found out that the minibus registered to a woman did not had a fitness certification issued by the competent authority.

The actual cause of the accident could not be established immediately, but the police believed that the minibus had met accident after its tyre rod had broken down.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/03/top4.htm

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/8739/kmcbldg9kz.jpg

Heritage preservation

Last Monday’s newspapers carried a picture of the city’s Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil climbing over the main gate of the KMC building on M.A. Jinnah Road. She was cleaning and painting the gate as part of city government’s campaign, launched to clean heritage buildings.

She was being helped by town nazims, naib nazims, councillors and senior staff of the city government. Some other prominent personalities, including Sindh local govern ment adviser Waseem Akhtar, renowned architect Yasmin Lari and TV artiste Samina Pirzada, were also present to support the campaign.

The cleaning was apparently an attempt to draw the attention of the people towards the heritage buildings and their preservation. A few years back, Yasmin Lari had successfully highlighted the importance of these heritage buildings. Every Sunday she would hold colourful programmes involving schoolchildren, visiting a selected heritage building to clean and paint it. The programme was then called Karavan-i-Karachi. The city government is doing this task in collaboration with what is now called the Karavan-iPakistan, also a project of Ms Lari. Of the 600 buildings of historical importance, 50 are under the city government’s control.

Built with red stone of Jodhpur, the KMC building is a combination of Islamic, Egyptian and Hispanic architecture. Its foundation-stone was laid by the then governor of Bombay, Lord Sandhurst, on December 4, 1895. Its architect was Mr James C. Wyness. Besides a dome in the centre and four on the corners, the building has a 162-foot high tower with sweet-sounding bells jingling on all the four sides. Its second floor has a hall where the city council’s periodic meetings are held. The city naib nazim’s office is also in this building.

The building was built by the Pharaoh Construction Company under the supervi sion of executive engineer Jahangir Sethna and foreman Ali Mohammad Imam Bakhsh. It had cost Rs1.775 million and was inaugurated in 1932. Despite the many tall buildings that have sprung up around it, the KMC building maintains its distinction as a solid, magnificent structure.

The city government’s efforts need to be supported by commercial as well as nongovernmental organizations and individuals who would like to see the heritage buildings preserved and properly maintained.

Source: epaper.dawn.com April 3rd, 2006

KARACHI: Work on two flyovers to begin in 10 days: nazim




By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, April 3: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said here on Monday that work on flyovers at Hassan Square and Stadium Road would begin in the next 10 days and completed in a record period of four months.

He was briefing newsmen at the site of the Gharibabad Underpass after inspecting pace of work at the site, as well as the sites of two other underpasses at Ibne Sina Road at Liaquatabad No. 10 and near Nazimabad flyover.

DCO Fazalur Rehman, EDO Works Sarfraz Ali Shah and KWSB MD Brig Iftikhar Haider were also present on the occasion.

He said that the foundation stone laying ceremonies of Hassan Square and Stadium Road flyovers were to be held in the second week of March, but the same had to be delayed owing various reasons.

The contract for the Hassan Square flyover had to be re-tendered as the previous contractor had expressed his inability to complete the project in four months, he added.

He said that in response to the public notice calling objections regarding the two flyovers, around 80-90 per cent people favoured continuation of work on both the projects and maintained that the uplift work would eventually provide immense relief to people.

He pointed out that 98 per cent of the work for the relocation of utility services’ pipelines and cables from the path of all the three under-construction underpasses had already been completed.

Commending the coordinated efforts by officials of the city government’s Works and Services Department, KWSB, PTCL, SSGC and other utility organisations in shifting the lines, he said that the dedication and hard work had made him to believe that the work would be completed ahead of the deadline.

Referring to the work at the underpass near Nazimabad flyover, he said that the CDGK had deployed four fire tenders to prevent any mishap.

When his attention was drawn to the inordinate delay in the reconstruction the New M. A. Jinnah Road (from Islamia College to Jail Road intersection), he said that the pace of work had been expedited and the one track of this road would be reopened in a week.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/04/local4.htm

KARACHI: CM orders action against rash drivers

KARACHI, April 3: Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Monday ordered DIG Traffic to take stern action against rash drivers. Expressing his profound grief over the loss of 11 pervious lives in ICI Bridge traffic accident, he said that rash driving was the cause of this fatal accident. He said that the probe would be held into causes of accident, besides the over-speeding of vehicles would also be controlled.

He ordered DIG Traffic Karachi to intensify checking of licenses of drivers of all public transport running on Karachi roads. He said that steps should also be taken so that this type of incident may not repeat in future.

Meanwhile, Sindh Transport Minister Muhammad Adil Siddiqi said that people involved in minibus accident would not be awarded strict punishment as per law.

Issuing orders for action against people responsible for minibus accident, the minister asked secretary transport and DIG Traffic to submit accident report to him immediately.

The transport minister expressed surprise over escape of injured minibus driver from hospital and ordered his immediate arrest along with action against minibus owner.

He expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of 10 lives in the tragic accident and said that the accident which took place due to error of one person was not just a minor thing.

He pointed out that earlier also he had made it binding for traffic authorities to take effective measures to check over-speeding and strict enforcement of speed limit for public transport plying in the city.

However, he observed that traffic officials were showing negligence towards traffic signal violations and over-speeding and as a result precious lives were lost in such accidents.

The transport minister warned the owners of public transport to avoid the trend of over-loading and bind their drivers to strictly follow traffic laws.

Altaf condoles: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief, Altaf Hussain, has expressed grief and sorrow over the deaths of 10 persons in a tragic bus accident near Gharo.

In a message received on Monday, Altaf prayed to God to shower his blessings on the departed souls and grant strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.

He also prayed for quick recovery of the injured.

Meanwhile, he also expressed grief on the loss of life of a large number of people in separate traffic accidents occurred in Karachi and Multan on Sunday.

The MQM chief expressed his sympathies for the bereaved next of kin. He appealed to the government to take necessary steps for prevention of increased number of traffic accidents.

—PPI/APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/04/local3.htm

KARACHI: MVR process be expedited, says Ibad

KARACHI, April 3: Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad has said that the process of motor vehicle registration should not take more than 10 days for completion to facilitate applicants.

He stated this while chairing a meeting at the Governor’s House on Monday. The meeting was attended by Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed, Finance Adviser M.A. Jalil, Principal Secretary Mohammed Saleem Khan, Secretary Excise and Taxation Mir Hussain Ali and other concerned officials.

Ishratul Ibad said that linking of department’s revenue system with information technology would minimise the use of discretionary powers and human contact and help redress existing grievances of people. In this regard, he said, the process of vehicle registration should be expedited and completed in 10 days and registration book and number plate be sent to applicant through courier service. This would save people from queuing up, long wait and complaints of corruption, he observed.

He directed the officials to examine the proposal of motor vehicles tax recovery linked with the use of fuel and adopt necessary steps in this regard.

The governor was informed that Rs59.385 million were being spent on computerizing the system of motor vehicle tax recovery, Rs46.065 million for property tax, Rs22.29 million for infrastructure and professional tax and Rs31.20 million on computerization of excise duty and other taxes.

The meeting was told that the department had recovered Rs6060.813 million till February 2006, including Rs894.71 million as property tax, Rs116.646 million as motor vehicle tax, Rs2947.879 million as infrastructure cess, Rs129.336 million as professional tax, Rs80.021 million as hotel tax, Rs718 million as excise duty, Rs105.441 million as cotton fee and Rs23.749 million as entertainment duty. —APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/04/local13.htm

http://www.dawn.com.pk/2006/04/04/SlideShow/pic08.jpg

KARACHI - April 3, 2006: A student band performs in front of the KMC building during a ceremony organized on Monday by Karawan-i-Karachi to mark the beginning of refurbishment of old buildings.—PPI

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/8739/kmcbldg9kz.jpg

Heritage preservation

Work Appreciated!!
btw wut does KMC mean!

KMC stands for Karachi Municipal Corporation

This building used to house the Karachi Municipal government offices in the old days and used to have a city hall. Now there are some well needed plans to convert it to a museum.

A better picture of the ceremony from epaper.dawn.com
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/2225/khikmc21fm.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/8739/kmcbldg9kz.jpg

Heritage preservation

Work Appreciated!!
btw wut does KMC mean!

Karachi Municipal Corporation

KARACHI: Kamal vows to make city polio-free by 2007 / Karachi Mass Transit Project

KARACHI, April 3: The city government will employ all resources to make Karachi a polio-free zone by the year 2007 and extend cooperation in this regard at every level. This was announced by City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal while speaking at a ceremony held in Gulshan-i-Iqbal to mark the beginning of a three-day national anti-polio campaign.

The naib nazim of Gulshan Town, Shoaib Akhtar, Dr Midhat (WHO), Dr Asif Aslam (Unicef) and EDO Health Dr Khalid Sheikh were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the city nazim said that during the three-day campaign some 6.072 million children of up to five years of age including 21,5000 in Karachi would be administered polio and vitamin-A drops.

It is the 59th round of anti-polio campaign which is being participated by 694 zonal supervisors (doctors), 3,653 area in charges (doctors, DSVs and TSVs), 16,103 mobile teams, 7,833 fixed centres, 1,190 transit points, 694 vehicles and 3,653 motorcycles.

Mr Kamal said that in the anti-polio national drive-2006 some 1,760 vaccinators from all over Sindh including 316 EPI vaccinators from Karachi were taking part.

This year, he said, there would be eight rounds of NIDs and two have already been held.

The nazim said that the areas in Karachi and rest of the province on which the Unicef was focussing include Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Saddar, Gadap, Keamari, Orangi and Malir besides Thatta, Hyderabad, Sanghar, Khairpur and Larkana.

He pointed out that 18,420 lady health visitors including 2,900 from Karachi were also involved in the campaign. These include 1,426 traineed LHVs from Karachi and 7,635 from the rest of the province.

The nazim urged the people to ensure administration of polio and vitamin-A drops to their children to protect them against this crippling disease.

Meanwhile, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said that first phase of Karachi Circular Railway under the Karachi Mass Transit Programme (KMTP) will be completed by 2010 whereas the work on second phase will start soon. What the heck happened to corridor I? notice how everybody has fallen silent about it all of a sudden?

He stated this while talking to a delegation of a German company, Voith Turbos, which manufactures locomotives and train spare parts.

The delegation, which arrived here earlier in the day, comprised Dr Ing Manfred Lerch, Holger Costari and Hansjorg Kopp. Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, DCO Fazlur Rehman, Mohammed Ali and Taha Khan were also present at the meeting which was held in the nazim’s office.

Mr Kamal briefed the delegation about the ongoing projects and details of KMTP.

The city government, he said, planned to bring in 8,000 environment-friendly CNG buses by 2010 to provide maximum possible and better commuting facilities to the people of Karachi. Promises promises, we've all heard em.

He acknowledged that German machinery was not only long lasting but of good quality.

The city nazim said that attention would have to be paid to the underground and overhead projects in order bring the city at par with those of developed countries.

It is for this reason that the city government an accelerated pace of work on underpasses and flyovers is being maintained.

He pointed that more emphasis was being laid on public-private partnership while private sector was being brought forward for investment in Karachi and was being provided incentives for the purpose.

He referred to the plans for the construction of six mass transit corridors and said these would not only meet the requirement of this city, but also of Central Asia and thus would attract investments from other countries of the region. I thought the mass transit project was for the betterment of the city! I hope he knows what mass transit means

The nazim informed the delegation that foreign investment and investors’ growing involvement in uplift plans had registered a record increase in Pakistan, especially Karachi, due to the special interest being taken by President Pervez Musharraf and the growing economy of Sindh.

The German delegation said that Voith Turbos was the world’s largest company manufacturing spare pars of locomotives and coaches and having presence in many countries.

The company is interested in the rail project under the Karachi Mass Transit Programme (KMTP) and offers transfer of technology for the manufacturing of these items locally.

The delegation also expressed interest in the CNG buses for Karachi, and told the city nazim that the buses manufactured by the company were successfully operating in Iran, Singapore and several other countries.

Mr Kamal observed that transfer of German technology would not only help generate employment opportunities here, but would also result in saving of foreign exchange.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/04/local16.htm

http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/3640/khibusacc4xm.jpg



Damn... but... the Bus is so colourful :D


Does Public transport cost much in Pakistan ?

Buses and trucks are normally very colorful in Pakistan. And they cost very little to ride in, like 6-10 cents. See the following thread for an interesting tramway in Melbourne that imitated the Pakistani-styled buses: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=330504

Nazim announces water policy

60 pc rebate in new connections

By our correspondent

KARACHI: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, who is also the Chairman of KW&SB, has announced water policy for the first time, according to which rebate of 60 per cent would be given on acquiring new water connections.

Making this announcement at a press conference at DCO office here on Tuesday, Mustafa said these rates would be effective from April 5.

He said within three months water connections would be executed through one window operation, adding that in case of failure 10 percent of the charges would be paid by KW&SB for every delayed month and the amount would be deducted from the salary of concerned engineer.

The Nazim said subsidized rates for Katchi Abadis /Gothabad schemes had also been introduced for the first time, which would be half of the revised normal charges of developed areas.

"This is a gift to the people of Karachi by Haq Parast leadership as we want to make the life of the common man decent so that they may feel a visible change in their lives," he added.

He said new water connections for industries, multi-storied and housing schemes would be given at the time of payment of first installment, while on payment of lump-sum amount for a water connection further 10 per cent concession would be given.

Mustafa said this water policy was not formulated all of a sudden, "as we had done brain storming sessions with industrialists, ABAD, Chamber of Commerce, elite of city and community leaders before evolving the plan".

He said KW&SB was passing through the process of restructuring in order to provide good service delivery to the people of Karachi, adding, it was therefore necessary to re-examine and re-vamp the 20-year-old procedure of calculating service charges, which happen to be extremely complex.

He said in the past acquisition of water connection was a daunting task for the people, as several additional charges were to be paid by the applicant. But now all such charges had been eliminated from the list of water connection, and the consumers would pay only water connection charges, he added.

Mustafa said this was not only causing financial loss to the KW&SB but the consumers were also being exploited at the hands of concerned staff, as a result consumers resorted to obtaining connections through illegal means.

Mustafa further said that this new system would also help KW&SB overcome the growing number of illegal connections as well as strengthening its revenue base.

Replying to a question he said billing system had been privatized and the consumers would now be delivered the bills each month, adding that the recovery position was 62 percent so far.

The surcharges in the present bills, he said, would be considered for making payment in installments.

To another question he said the federal and provincial governments were working on the policy to rid the city of encroachments.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/index.html

Investment opportunities with RCS team discussed

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim discussed the existing investment opportunities in Sindh province, particularly, in the financial services sector with the delegation of the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), Canada.

The visiting delegation of RCS-Canada led by its Chairman, Sinclair M Stevens called on Arbab here on Tuesday.

The other members of the delegation included member RCS-Canada, Barry Gander, Chairman Commonwealth Society of Pakistan, Qutubuddin Aziz, and other notables.

The existing investment opportunities in Sindh, especially in the financial services sector, were discussed in detail.

Arbab suggested the visiting delegation to bring equity from Canada to Sindh Bank, which is to be established very soon in the province. Sinclair promised to raise equity for the Sindh Bank from Canada and appreciated Arbabís proposal.

The meeting also discussed several other matters including the Auto-Vendoring and parts manufacturing in Pakistan for Car Assemblers. Detailed deliberations were also made on many other projects for the medical, education, textile, agro-based and basic light engineering development.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/index.html

Kamal hints at privatisation of transport fitness facility

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal has emphasised the necessity of privatisation of Fitness Certificate Centre to improve the transport system in the metropolis and introduce quality transport service.

Such an action has become inevitable for the private sector improves the fitness of vehicles with the use of modern technology and a summary in this regard has been sent to the chief minister and decision thereon is expected soon.

He stated this while addressing the officials of Citizen-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) at the Governor House.

He said it is a pity that the vehicles which are banned for plying in rural areas of Pakistan, get fitness certificate in Karachi, making the life commuters miserable.

Kamal said an Australian company has submitted its study two weeks back with regards to 8,000 CNG buses for Karachi and hopefully the first installment will be received in June this year while 8,000 more buses will be on the city roads within next four years.

On the occasion, he agreed to the revival of zonal scrutiny committee.

In the meeting it was decided that CPLC will shortly construct 200 public toilets in Hawkesbay.

Regarding the establishment of Consumer’s Protection Council, he said that a summary has been drafted, seeking strict law against adulterators.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/index.html

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/6269/abshahkhi2vw.jpg

KARACHI, April 5: Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Babar Khan Ghauri has said that Manora and Bundal islands would be developed according to the international standards.
He was talking to journalists after inaugurating the Media Facilitation Centre at the PNSC Building here on Wednesday.

PNSC Chairman Admiral Tauqeer Hussain Naqvi and Media Advisor to the Minister Naveed Iqbal were also present.

The minister said that two bridges would also be constructed as a link between the city and the two islands. He said one of the bridges would connect Manora with Clifton and the other would serve as a link between Bundal island and Korangi Creek.

Furthermore, two five-star hotels, one each at Manora island and Mai Kolachi Road, would be established, he added.

The expression of interest has already been invited from various local and foreign companies of international repute for developing a Diamond Bar Island City at Bundal island, a project of the Port Qasim Authority. This city would be developed on the pattern of the Diamond Bar City in the US.

Mr Ghauri said that the work on the food street near Native Jetty would be completed within the next six months. The scheme has an estimated cost of Rs1 billion. He said 40 per cent of work for the food street, which would be Asia’s best one, had already been completed. The project had been designed by a US firm.

He said that chains of international restaurants would open their branches in the food street and a ship would also be permanently docked there to entertain visitors. He said the project of Port Tower to be established within the KPT limits had been re-tendered and its groundbreaking was likely to be performed by President Pervez Musharraf in May or June this year.

He said various development projects, especially of KPT, under the Ministry of Ports and Shipping had already been launched in the city and would be completed ahead of schedule.

The minister pointed out that KESC, KWSB and PTCL networks were causing some delay in executing these projects. However, he said, the utility organisations had been asked to shift their networks from the project sites at the earliest.

GWADAR PORT: Senator Ghauri said that the Gwadar Port will be operative in June this year and would be inaugurated by President Musharraf.

“Dredging of the navigational channel at 14.5 draughts will be completed in June next. The work on other chain facilities is also in the final phase. We will finalise the selection of private port operators within one month to start port operations after two months,” he said.

He said huge direct investment from abroad was expected in the port projects.

President Musharraf, during his recent visit to Gwadar, had ordered that the condition for foreign investors to acquire NOCs from different government agencies be dropped to facilitate investment there.

The government is trying to provide maximum incentives and facilities to the investors at Gwadar, he added.

When his attention was drawn to the delay in the reintroduction of the Karachi-Mumbai ferry service, the minister said it would be started as soon as the new shipping protocol between Pakistan and India was signed.

“From Pakistani side, everything is clear. There are now positive signals from other side. Most likely, we will go to India next month to ink this important agreement,” he said.

He revealed that three licences had already been issued to private firms to operate the ferry service and more could be issued if the situation demanded.

Federal MEDIA CITY: Shipping Minister Senator Babar Ghauri said that a ‘Media City’ would be established at Hawkesbay, near KPT, and would be equipped with all media-related facilities of international standards.—APP

karachi, april 5: fe- deral minister for ports and shipping senator babar khan ghauri has said that manora and bundal islands would be developed according to the international stan- dards. he was talking to journal- ists after inaugurating the media facilitation centre at the pnsc building here on wednesday. pnsc chairman admiral tauqeer hussain naqvi and media advisor to the minister naveed iqbal were also present. the minister said that two bridges would also be construct- ed as a link between the city and the two islands. he said one of the bridges would connect manora with clifton and the other would serve as a link between bundal island and korangi creek. furthermore, two five-star hotels, one each at manora island and mai kolachi road, would be established, he added. the expression of interest has already been invited from vari- ous local and foreign companies of international repute for developing a diamond bar island city at bundal island, a project of the port qasim authority. this city would be developed on the pattern of the diamond bar city in the us. mr ghauri said that the work on the food street near native jetty would be completed with- in the next six months. the scheme has an estimated cost of rs1 billion. he said 40 per cent of work for the food street, which would be asia’s best one, had already been completed. the project had been designed by a us firm. he said that chains of interna- tional restaurants would open their branches in the food street and a ship would also be perma- nently docked there to entertain visitors. he said the project of port tower to be established within the kpt limits had been re-tendered and its ground- breaking was likely to be per- formed by president pervez musharraf in may or june this year. he said various development projects, especially of kpt, under the ministry of ports and shipping had already been launched in the city and would be completed ahead of schedule. the minister pointed out that kesc, kwsb and ptcl net- works were causing some delay in executing these projects. however, he said, the utility organisations had been asked to shift their networks from the project sites at the earliest. gwadar port: senator ghauri said that the gwadar port will be operative in june this year and would be inaugu- rated by president musharraf. “dredging of the navigational channel at 14.5 draughts will be completed in june next. the work on other chain facilities is also in the final phase. we will finalise the selection of private port operators within one month to start port operations after two months,” he said. he said huge direct invest- ment from abroad was expected in the port projects. president musharraf, during his recent visit to gwadar, had ordered that the condition for foreign investors to acquire nocs from different govern- ment agencies be dropped to facilitate investment there. the government is trying to provide maximum incentives and facilities to the investors at gwadar, he added. when his attention was drawn to the delay in the reintroduc- tion of the karachi-mumbai ferry service, the minister said it would be started as soon as the new shipping protocol between pakistan and india was signed. “from pakistani side, every- thing is clear. there are now pos- itive signals from other side. most likely, we will go to india next month to ink this important agreement,” he said. he revealed that three licences had already been issued to private firms to operate the ferry service and more could be issued if the situation demand- ed. federal media city: shipping minister senator babar ghauri said that a ‘media city’ would be established at hawkesbay, near kpt, and would be equipped with all media-related facilities of inter- national standards.—app




Source: Dawn e-Paper

ISLAMABAD: Parking lot plan dropped


By Nasir Iqbal

ISLAMABAD, April 5: The Karachi City District Government (CDGK) on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has abandoned its plan to build a multi-storey car parking facility on Jehangir Park grounds.

The court, which had taken notice of a private complaint against the plan, ordered the city government to refrain from any commercial use of the historic park and to restore it to its past grandeur.

A three-member bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice Syed Jamshed Ali, also restrained the CDGK from future conversion of this five-acre public park into any commercial activity.

Direction was also issued to the city government to develop the Jehangir Park for public welfare.

The Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu case on a complaint of Ardeshir Cowasjee, who had invited the attention of the apex court towards the city government’s intention to construct a multi-storey plaza for car parking within the premises of the Jehangir Park, donated to the people of Karachi by Khan Bahadur Behramji Jehangirji Raj Kot Wale in 1893.

In his letter, Cowasjee also relied on a recent judgment of the Supreme Court wherein the court has cancelled a lease that the Capital Development Authority awarded to a Lahore businessman for developing a mini golf club in a public park in Islamabad.

On Wednesday Barrister Naeemur Rehman, representing Cowasjee, deplored that the city government had already chopped century old trees in the park and argued that the city administration had no authority to convert the plaza for commercial purposes.

Advocate Manzoor Ahmed, Executive District Officer Karachi, meanwhile, submitted a report before the court stating that the city government had dropped the project of constructing parking facility on a portion of the park in view of serious reservations shown by different non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and an earlier order of this court.

Justifying city government’s earlier decision to develop parking facility, the report said, the administration had decided to build multi-storey car parking plazas at different potential locations in Karachi because of serious traffic congestion due to on-street parking.

Under the first phase of the overall strategy, the local administration had planned for development of parking plazas in five locations namely, Lines Area near Saddar Dawakhana, Clifton near Schon Underpass Faizi Rehman Gallery near Arts Council, Mohammadan Community (Old Burial Ground) near Boulton Market Tonga Stand and portion of the Jehangir Park (Machenzie Pavilion Ground) Saddar.

Since the parking problem is very severe in Saddar area, the city administration has already planned development of parking facility in Lines Area Re-development Project. The portion of the Jehangir Park was earmarked since the parking facility in Lines Area is not sufficient to cater to complete demand of parking, the report said.

However the bench after hearing both sides directed the local administration to restore the park into its original condition and develop it for public welfare.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/06/local10.htm

I am glad that the park has been left for recreation. Now the mayor should get rid of addicts and anti socials out of the park.

anyone knows the status of 3 story flyover at hino pak korangi road???i think the construction started 2 years ago...any update???

ISLAMABAD: Parking lot plan dropped


By Nasir Iqbal

ISLAMABAD, April 5: The Karachi City District Government (CDGK) on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has abandoned its plan to build a multi-storey car parking facility on Jehangir Park grounds.

The court, which had taken notice of a private complaint against the plan, ordered the city government to refrain from any commercial use of the historic park and to restore it to its past grandeur.

A three-member bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice Syed Jamshed Ali, also restrained the CDGK from future conversion of this five-acre public park into any commercial activity.

Direction was also issued to the city government to develop the Jehangir Park for public welfare.

The Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu case on a complaint of Ardeshir Cowasjee, who had invited the attention of the apex court towards the city government’s intention to construct a multi-storey plaza for car parking within the premises of the Jehangir Park, donated to the people of Karachi by Khan Bahadur Behramji Jehangirji Raj Kot Wale in 1893.

In his letter, Cowasjee also relied on a recent judgment of the Supreme Court wherein the court has cancelled a lease that the Capital Development Authority awarded to a Lahore businessman for developing a mini golf club in a public park in Islamabad.

On Wednesday Barrister Naeemur Rehman, representing Cowasjee, deplored that the city government had already chopped century old trees in the park and argued that the city administration had no authority to convert the plaza for commercial purposes.

Advocate Manzoor Ahmed, Executive District Officer Karachi, meanwhile, submitted a report before the court stating that the city government had dropped the project of constructing parking facility on a portion of the park in view of serious reservations shown by different non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and an earlier order of this court.

Justifying city government’s earlier decision to develop parking facility, the report said, the administration had decided to build multi-storey car parking plazas at different potential locations in Karachi because of serious traffic congestion due to on-street parking.

Under the first phase of the overall strategy, the local administration had planned for development of parking plazas in five locations namely, Lines Area near Saddar Dawakhana, Clifton near Schon Underpass Faizi Rehman Gallery near Arts Council, Mohammadan Community (Old Burial Ground) near Boulton Market Tonga Stand and portion of the Jehangir Park (Machenzie Pavilion Ground) Saddar.

Since the parking problem is very severe in Saddar area, the city administration has already planned development of parking facility in Lines Area Re-development Project. The portion of the Jehangir Park was earmarked since the parking facility in Lines Area is not sufficient to cater to complete demand of parking, the report said.

However the bench after hearing both sides directed the local administration to restore the park into its original condition and develop it for public welfare.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/06/local10.htm

How much does this project cost?

@ SWERVEUT: Thanks alot . The buses are so kool ;)

construction started 1 year and few months ago, now all piller are compeleted.... i guess 60% or 65% work of KPT flyover at hino pak chawk is compeleted.

KARACHI: Ibad wants improved irrigation network

KARACHI, April 7: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Friday called for a network of lined watercourses in the province to help agriculture sector enhance its production capacity.

In a high-level meeting held at Governor’s House, Mr Ibad was informed that some 40 per cent water goes waste in the field because of mismanaged distribution of water into channels.

The meeting was informed that focus is also paid to ensure that water reaches the tail-end.

The governor was informed that Sindh has three barrages with 14 canals taken out of them.

These canals have small and big branches having a total length of 64000 km. These include 44,085 km long government approved watercourses. Of them, watercourses which have been lined are 7576 Km long and another 4000 are in the final stage of being lined.

It was stated that cost of Water Courses Lining Programme is Rs 25,013.39 million, including Rs 19,758.76 million as federal government share which comes to about 80 per cent of the programme cost.

The provincial government has provided Rs 571.22 million while growers have contributed over 17 percent of the project cost.

Project Director informed the governor that an agreement has been concluded with Suparco for installation of satellite system which will have coordination with the Revenue, Agriculture, Education, Health and Police departments.

Dr Ibad called for regular cleaning of canals coming out of barrages with gradual cleaning of feed channels and watercourses.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/08/local5.htm

KARACHI: Double road planned in Malir




By Zaheer Ahmed Khan

KARACHI, April 7: The Malir Town administration has finally decided to construct a major three-km long dual carriageway from the Malir-15 bus stop to Saudabad Chowrangi after persistent demand of a vast population living in Khokhrapar, Jinnah Square, Jafar Tayyar, etc.

Due to the reduced width of the present single road, accidents have occurred in the past taking many precious lives, while traffic jams also occur at a number of spots.

The road will be a 42-feet double one, with each track being 20 feet wide. There will also be a two-foot green-belt.

The project comprises reconstruction of a double road, with 400,000 sq-ft carpeting, fixation of footpath and green-belt curb stones, improvement/conversion of a 10,000-ft open storm-water drain into a piped drain using a 30 sq-feet pipe, which will also form part of the road. The present width of the drain is seven ft. The road will also have 163 manholes and chambers.

The total estimated cost of the project is Rs52.7 million. According to the break-up, road reconstruction will cost Rs35 million while conversion of the drain into a covered one will cost Rs17.7 million.

However, a major task before the town administration will be to remove hurdles ie encroachments in the shape of shops and houses in the way of the road’s construction.

“It is yet to be seen how the administration will move against those who have been doing business on government land for a long time,” said an area resident.

A survey revealed that houses and shops had been built along the Malir City Road, right from Malir-15 bus stop to Saudabad roundabout. Even shops and hotels exist there. In order to ensure proper width of the road, all such encroachments will have to be removed.

Area residents have hailed the announcement of the road’s construction and have demanded that encroachments should be removed at all cost. Besides, a 6-ft footpath should also be ensured on both sides of the road for the convenience of pedestrians so accidents can be reduced.

People said the town administration had favoured shopkeepers during construction of a portion of the Begum Khursheed Road at Tanki stop and did not remove encroachments from the footpath. Similarly, the town administration had left no space for footpath on the other track, which may result in accidents.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/08/local15.htm

KARACHI: Joint efforts stressed to preserve heritage

KARACHI, April 7: Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil has said that collaborative efforts based on partnership between public and private sectors are needed to preserve historical heritage in the city.

She was speaking as chief guest at a ceremony held on the occasion of cleaning of old KMC Building as part of city government’s campaign for preservation of historic buildings on Friday.

Among others, Sindh Finance Adviser M.A. Jalil, Deputy Governor of State Bank of Pakistan, Mansoor Ahmed Khan, Italian Consul-General Bruno Pasquino, Indonesian Consul-General Henny Mulliyani, British Deputy Chief of Mission, Ron Rimmex, noted industrialists, town and union council nazims, councillors, city notables, students of various educational institutions and people belonging to different walks of life were present on the occasion.

The naib nazim said that historical buildings were the reflection of our glorious past and should be protected to keep our past alive.

She said, “Everywhere in the world, the nations keep their monumental and historical assets intact so that their history could not be forgotten by their successive generations.” She said that the city government of Karachi was doing the same to protect monumental buildings and historical assets in the city.

Nasreen Jalil said that cultural, literary and pedantic activities were going on in the city and it was the clear sign of city’s liveliness.

About the Karachi zoo building, she said that its condition was pathetic and need to be modernized in order to keep intact its historical importance.

She said that Denso Hall, Clifton Bridge and Khaliq Dina Hall would be cleaned and washed during the city government’s campaign for preservation of historical buildings. She said that cleanliness and related work would be supervised by the President of Heritage Foundation Pakistan, Yasmin Lari, who voluntarily agreed to work with the city government.

Nasreen Jalil said that Karachi was city of all of us and protection of its historic heritage was our collective responsibility. She said that it was for this reason that city government organized the programme of preserving historical buildings and developing awareness about the same.

She said that out of 600 historic buildings, the city government is taking care of 44 of them. “The people of this city have to pay back their debt to this city and we can turn out as civilized people by observing the laws”.

The naib nazim said that Haq Parast leadership was implementing a number of important schemes with future planning for development of this city. This was evident from round-the-clock work going on roads, bridges, under-passes etc which on completion would help ease the traffic problem, she said.

Talking to journalists, Chief of Mission British Deputy High Commission Ron Rimmex appreciated the efforts of city government for preservation of historic buildings of Karachi. He said that the campaign for preservation of historical buildings must continue. He also talked to school children and showed his love for them.

Italian Consul-General Bruno Pasquino assured of cooperation in the city’s cultural activities and development efforts. She said that Milan Municipal Corporation was cooperating in the provision of buses and trucks in Kabul and garbage recycling. She said a cultural delegation was also coming here from Italy which would the examine possibility of cooperation in Karachi.

Later, Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil along with the citizens, foreign guests, diplomats and famous TV artists washed the boundary walls of the KMC building.

Shahzad Roy sung a song representing Karachi’s culture and its heritage. People from different walks of life also participated in the campaign meant to maintain the original character of the historic structures. Students from different schools of the city displayed sketches of historical buildings of Karachi made by them at different stalls on the occasion. –PPI/APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/08/local16.htm

KARACHI: Paintings show

KARACHI, April 7: An exhibition of paintings and ceramics by Saba Shahid opens on April 8 at Unicorn Art Gallery, near British Consulate. It will remain open till April 15.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/08/local24.htm

Saturday, April 08, 2006

PPF to sign MoU with CIPE

KARACHI: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) will sign MOU with Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) on April 13, 2006 in Karachi to equip journalists for reporting on major economic issues confronting developing economies, including banking reforms, privatisation, stock exchange, trade agreements, financial crises, labour issues and globalisation.

A seminar on “Need for Improving Media Coverage of Business and Finance” will also be held on the occasion. The training will result in journalist acquisition of ability and skills to engage in substantive internal policy debates and deal effectively with the government and financial community. The CIPE is affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce and has supported more than 800 local initiatives in 95 developing countries. PPI


http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\04\08\story_8-4-2006_pg12_10

construction started 1 year and few months ago, now all piller are compeleted.... i guess 60% or 65% work of KPT flyover at hino pak chawk is compeleted.

Vietnam comes on a different way :bash: Most of the projects are delayed in VN :bash:

r u a pakistani?

r u a pakistani?

i dunno why but ive got a gut feeling he might just be vietnamese :)

me tooooo

:crazy:

update from today's news:

KUALA LUMPUR: Feasibility of expressway

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10: The feasibility study and engineering design of the 24km elevated expressway from Jinnah Bridge to Quaidabad will be completed by July 2006, one month ahead of schedule.

Karachi Nazim Mustafa Kamal was informed about it during his talks with Dato Krishnan Tan, the CEO of Malaysian IJM Corporation Berhad.

Mr Tan told the nazim that this would facilitate ground breaking of US$225 million mega project in August. He said that setting up of joint task force would definitely assist in achieving completion of elevated expressway in three years.

IJM is setting up an office in Karachi, headed by a country director with his technical team, to start ground survey work and traffic studies along this corridor within a week.

The expressway will have three lanes on each side. On completion, IJM will collect toll tax for a period of 15 years. It will serve as Southern Bypass and a link to airport for the two seaports of Karachi.

IJM indicated that it was interested in making investment in infrastructure development and other mega projects in Karachi in view of opportunities and facilities available.—PPI


http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/11/local18.htm

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/11/SlideShow/pic11.jpg

Illumination on Shahrah-i-Pakistan on the occasion of Eid Miladun Nabi.

The Shaheed-i-Millat road today (due to the strike)
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00061.jpg

You guys must have seen this same road in the Karachi pictures thread a couple of days back, it was jam packed like anything.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/14/SlideShow/pic16.jpg
Nazimabad roads wear deserted look as the city mourns the Nishtar Park carnage for a second day on Thurday.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/16/SlideShow/pic14.jpg
Rangers personnel stand alert to keep vigil at Light House on Saturday.

Shaheed e Millat, Shahrah e Faisal, I I Chundrigar etc... all are packed with cars once again!!!!!! I hope the people behind the blast will face what they desereve!

KARACHI: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said that the foundation stone of the 24 Km long elevated expressway from Quaidabad to Jinnah Bridge costing US $225 million will be laid on August 8.

He said that the expressway, which will be an alternative to Southern Bypass, will be completed in a short period of two and a half years. Kamal was speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by the former Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly and Honorary Consul General of Cameroon, Bari Jilani, on Monday.

The Nazim said that work is going on round-the-clock to complete the under-construction projects. The new MA Jinnah Road and Jehangir Road have been opened for traffic after the completion of the work. He announced that if the ongoing schemes are not completed in four months, the contractor firm will be blacklisted. The Nazim recalled that in the past, revenue used to be generated through sale of land but the present city government has not sold a single plot during the last four months.

^^ Keep the good news coming Mr. Nazim! we should not let a stupid bomb blast hold us back!

hi guys
i am new member but i am reading these threads from like 6 months and i am loving it. u guys are doing great job..keep it up.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/19/SlideShow/pic09.jpg

KARACHI - April 18, 2006: Having separate sections for women and men, this mobile toilet will be inaugurated at Seaview beach on Wednesday. This badly needed facility will be the first of its kind in the city. -–Dawn


Source: Dawn (http://www.dawn.com)

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Daewoo bus service coming to Karachi

KARACHI: Daewoo Express Bus Service will launch an intercity bus service from Karachi to Hyderabad in the first phase of the project and Karachi to Lahore and the Gwadar bus service would be launched in the second phase. The company will invest Rs 150 million in the first phase of the project. A three-member delegation of the Daewoo Express Bus Service led by its Additional Director Suhail Ahmed called on City Nazim Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday and apprised him of the project. A site had already been selected some two kilometres away from Sohrab Goth for a bus terminal for the service. The construction would be initiated soon, the delegates said. The company would also provide a shuttle bus service from the bus terminal to the city. APP

Home | Karachi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\04\19\story_19-4-2006_pg12_4

hi guys
i am new member but i am reading these threads from like 6 months and i am loving it. u guys are doing great job..keep it up.

Good to have you here fani! Glad to hear that you like what we all have done for this section. Visit the "Get to Know" thread if you want to know more about us and introduce yourself aswell! Here's the link;

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=241328

On topic: Good idea on the mobile toilet! We need alot of those in the city.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/19/SlideShow/pic09.jpg

KARACHI - April 18, 2006: Having separate sections for women and men, this mobile toilet will be inaugurated at Seaview beach on Wednesday. This badly needed facility will be the first of its kind in the city. -–Dawn


Source: Dawn (http://www.dawn.com)

:hahaha: Thats the funniest thing I have seen in a while! Where ever you go, take your toilet with you!

I guess they can tow it away at night to park it in somebody's garage.
:rofl:

LOL gotto be the first of its kind in the world.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/20/SlideShow/pic11.jpg

Labourers busy renovating the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/20/SlideShow/pic10.jpg
A European mouflon antelope feeding a newly born in Karachi Zoo.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/21/SlideShow/pic12.jpg

KARACHI, April 20: Students belonging to various schools of the metropolis took part in a beach cleaning activity at the Liaquat View Clifton, near Boat Basin police post.
The three-day beach cleaning drive at the Clifton shoreline was launched by the Karachi Port Trust.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the chairman of KPT, Vice-Admiral Ahmad Hayat, said that the KPT had always supported new ideas and would also support such constructive ideas related to safe and clean environment.

Change comes from within and it is our moral obligation that we keep the environment clean we live in, he added.

Children along with their teachers enjoyed the activity. On the occasion, quiz, drawing and essay competitions were also held.

The activity was aimed at instilling a sense of responsibility towards environment and cleanliness amongst the youth.

The event was organized to mark the Earth Day observed the world over on April 22. The 3-day drive would continue till April 22.—PPI



Source: Dawn e-Paper (http://epaper.dawn.com)

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Daewoo bus service coming to Karachi

KARACHI: Daewoo Express Bus Service will launch an intercity bus service from Karachi to Hyderabad in the first phase of the project and Karachi to Lahore and the Gwadar bus service would be launched in the second phase. The company will invest Rs 150 million in the first phase of the project. A three-member delegation of the Daewoo Express Bus Service led by its Additional Director Suhail Ahmed called on City Nazim Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday and apprised him of the project. A site had already been selected some two kilometres away from Sohrab Goth for a bus terminal for the service. The construction would be initiated soon, the delegates said. The company would also provide a shuttle bus service from the bus terminal to the city. APP

Home | Karachi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\04\19\story_19-4-2006_pg12_4

At the Lahore terminal they have a booth for Karachi/Hyderabad and Sukkar. It's been there for a few months now...

Just wondering...who in there mind would want to travel by bus from Lahore to Karachi...I can't even bare Rawalpindi to Lahore...

^^ ppl who can't afford to fly to Karachi

A lot of people travel from karachi to lahore by bus...and hopefully once the highway is complete that links lahore and karachi.. things are going to get much better.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/21/SlideShow/pic12.jpg

KARACHI, April 20: Students belonging to various schools of the metropolis took part in a beach cleaning activity at the Liaquat View Clifton, near Boat Basin police post.
The three-day beach cleaning drive at the Clifton shoreline was launched by the Karachi Port Trust.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the chairman of KPT, Vice-Admiral Ahmad Hayat, said that the KPT had always supported new ideas and would also support such constructive ideas related to safe and clean environment.

Change comes from within and it is our moral obligation that we keep the environment clean we live in, he added.

Children along with their teachers enjoyed the activity. On the occasion, quiz, drawing and essay competitions were also held.

The activity was aimed at instilling a sense of responsibility towards environment and cleanliness amongst the youth.

The event was organized to mark the Earth Day observed the world over on April 22. The 3-day drive would continue till April 22.—PPI



Source: Dawn e-Paper (http://epaper.dawn.com)
This is what the students should be doing! They should be working with the community to clean up our country. This will create work ethic and make them think before they throw something on the ground next time. It should be done with a lesson about our enviroment. Our education system needs to be torn down completely and a new education system built next to its ashes. Then Pakistan will really progress. :cheers:

KARACHI: A French retail company, Carrefour, will start operating in Karachi by next year, said Consul-General of France in Karachi Pierre Seillan while talking to APP on Friday. He said that Carrefour had sent its representative to make preparations for the purpose. Seillan said that the French company would open a huge retail facility in the city. He said that a similar facility was also planned for Lahore. Seillan said that the trade ties between France and Pakistan were increasing. APP

PTCL is silently doing something very big, which is bound to have very profound effects on the lives of Karachittes. An extensive Optical Fiber Access Network (OFAN) is being laid out by PTCL (contract has been given to Hauwei, a chinese telecom giant). The network reaches almost every big road and neighbourhood within the Karachi metro area. For the first time, pre-casted manholes were used which were lowered by cranes for cable joints. Outdoor transmission equipment has been placed on the roadsides which has later been covered by metallic finned enclosures (to keep them cool). Once this network is lit up (i.e. brought to operations), copper network from these nodes to individual homes (who can afford) and corp customers will be realized. The access network is bound to stir up the local connectivity scenario in a big way. Even if the prices remain high for the average end users, Desi Cable Net (DCN!) will have their dream come true by having big pipes available to them. They already have a business model working for them and they are getting ever hungry for bandwidth. The new OFAN network is bound to make them happy. The average DCN user in turn would also be benefitted because of this. BTW, these rings are reportedly laid out in a self-healing configuration which means that single cable cuts in the optical fiber will not render the network dead.

Credit: Tee Emm

http://karachi.metblogs.com/archives/2006/04/broadband_dream.phtml

Yes ladies and gentlemen...this is true. Wateen Telecom, A Warid Group Company is creating the largest wireless hotspot in the world, Karachi. During the launch, they claim to be launching in over 50 cities. They have partnered up with Motorola to bring in WiMax in order to build the network over the 802.16E protocol.

Imagine, anywhere in these 50 or so cities, you get broadband as easiily as you can get radio!

Wateen has also set its own 5000km optic fibre network. Other firms that have also set up their own project are Worldcall and Multinet (under the Project Ittehad banner).

The PTCL OFAN project was to start quite a while ago, but was held off due to privatisation concerns. The digging started over night once the PC inked the (revised) deal with Etisalat and work started moving at an unbelieveable pace. News about PTCL setting up IPTV is also correct. To my knowledge, the feasability study has been completed. You never know, very soon, KESC might also be offering internet over the power lines (that is very much possible, infact, the structure is being used in a city in Germany).

So here we have it. FTTH (Fibre To The Home) and WiMax.......which one do you want?

http://karachi.metblogs.com/archives/2006/04/worlds_largest.phtml

Its been long time since i left karachi and i am actually planning to visit pakistan next month and will definitly go to karachi and hope its worth the wait as there has been a lot of development since i left.


SPEEDY
enjoy

Yes ladies and gentlemen...this is true. Wateen Telecom, A Warid Group Company is creating the largest wireless hotspot in the world, Karachi. During the launch, they claim to be launching in over 50 cities. They have partnered up with Motorola to bring in WiMax in order to build the network over the 802.16E protocol.

Imagine, anywhere in these 50 or so cities, you get broadband as easiily as you can get radio!

Wateen has also set its own 5000km optic fibre network. Other firms that have also set up their own project are Worldcall and Multinet (under the Project Ittehad banner).

The PTCL OFAN project was to start quite a while ago, but was held off due to privatisation concerns. The digging started over night once the PC inked the (revised) deal with Etisalat and work started moving at an unbelieveable pace. News about PTCL setting up IPTV is also correct. To my knowledge, the feasability study has been completed. You never know, very soon, KESC might also be offering internet over the power lines (that is very much possible, infact, the structure is being used in a city in Germany).

So here we have it. FTTH (Fibre To The Home) and WiMax.......which one do you want?

http://karachi.metblogs.com/archives/2006/04/worlds_largest.phtml

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :cucumber: :cucumber:

^^ really really good news!
can't wait for Carrefour's stores and the wireless networking and high speed to be available in Karachi. It will be a true metropolitan then.

Carrefour is also a supermarket chain. You can check out more about its buisness on this webpage:

http://www.carrefour.com/english/groupecarrefour/activites.jsp

^^^Hypermarket chain so its bigger than a supermarket. Btw, great news.

The broadband hot spot thing is amazing news. I saw this documentary on the city-wide hotspot in Paris and they were amazed at how the French accomplished it. Now Karachi is gona surpass Paris!:)

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/24/SlideShow/pic05.jpg

KARACHI - April 23, 2006: Work under way on the Liaquatabad underpass project on Sunday. — Dawn

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/24/SlideShow/pic06.jpg

KARACHI - April 23, 2006: Residents of various apartment buildings on Sunday parked their vehicles along the main road as entrances to adjoining lanes are blocked by the Frontier Works Organisation for carpeting of the service road between the Submarine Chowk and Schon Circle in Clifton. — Dawn

KARACHI, April 23: The city nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, taking note of the severe traffic jam at Nagan Chowrangi, Pak Colony and New Karachi directed the departments concerned to open the roads for the flow of traffic by completing the ongoing road construction work within 15 days.
He also issued directives to build alternative paths before the commencement of work on the Hasan Square and National Stadium flyovers.

Mr Kamal on Sunday visited various parts of city with DIG Traffic Falak Khursheed, EDO Works and Services Syed Sarfraz Ali Shah, EDO Transport Mohammad Athar and other officers and examined the ongoing development works and inquired the pace of work.

He directed EDO transport to make a composite traffic plan of alternative routes before the start of uplift works so as to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Mr Kamal ordered to expedite the ongoing work at Clifton Beach Park (Phase-2) while Pak Colony road, New Karachi 7000 road, Godhra Chowk to Allah Wali Chowrangi New Karachi 7,000 road, 5km New Karachi 5,000 road and 5,200 were ordered to open for traffic within 15 days.

He expressed his annoyance over traffic jams at Nagan Chowrangi and directed to chalk out alternative routes before starting any work. He directed to prominently affix the switch routes.

The nazim was briefed while visiting the city that the ongoing uplift works costing Rs100.5 million were under way while tender for Haider Ali road costing Rs360 million had been given.

On the occasion, a large number of people gathered to see the city nazim. He issued orders on the spot to redress the grievances of the public.

The city nazim also visited Hasan Square, National Stadium and Caresses flyovers and examined the alternative traffic plan.

MILK PRICES: The city government on Sunday took a serious notice of soaring milk prices in Karachi and ordered its officials to take action under the Ordinance 2006 against those selling milk at price exceeding the fixed retail rate of Rs28 per litre.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal held a meeting to discuss the issue of milk price at his office with EDO (Investment and Enterprises) Syed Abid Ali Shah and other officials.

Expressing his displeasure over the recent hike in price of fresh milk, the nazim said that there was no reason to raise milk prices, as the retail and wholesale prices of fresh milk had been fixed at Rs28 and Rs26 per litre, respectively, in a meeting after detailed talks with the milk-sellers. He said that the city government had already issued a formal notification of fixing the retail and wholesale prices of milk at Rs28 and Rs26 per litre, respectively, and now it was the responsibility of the concerned officials of the city government to get these prices fully implemented.

EDO Investment and Enterprises Syed Abid Ali Shah requested the city nazim that on the pattern of anti-profiteering drive launched in the month of Ramazan, DDO Revenue, TMOs, DDO E&IP and Mukhtiarkars should be given magisterial powers so that an aggressive and result-oriented drive could be launched against the profiteer milk-sellers.

Mustafa Kamal directed the E&IP department and DDO Revenue to take action against those selling milk at price exceeding the fixed rate. He warned the milk-sellers to refrain from overcharging, otherwise, strict action would be taken against them.

HOSPITAL PROJECT: Investors of Saudi Arabia want to set up a hospital complex in Korangi with a cost of Rs350 million.

In this regard, a delegation of Pakistani doctors residing in Saudi Arabia and the USA, led by Union Bank President Shaukat Tareen, called on City Nazim Mustafa Kamal at his office and briefed him about the details of project.

They said that Pakistani doctors with the help of Suadi investors wanted to establish a big hospital complex in Korangi at the cost of Rs350 million. They said that 50 per cent patients in this hospital would be provided with free medical treatment, while the remaining 50 per cent patients would have to pay fair charges. In this regard, they sought a piece of land in Korangi from the city government.

The nazim said that city government was encouraging private sector to work for the welfare of citizens. He said that after the construction of hospital complex, its land would remain in the ownership of city government.

He said that before making an agreement in this regard the equity and value of the land would be determined. He said that in the feasibility report it would be assessed that which facilities would be provided at the hospital for poor patients under the joint venture. He said that a social committee comprised of city elders belonging to healthcare sectors would also be formed to supervise free medical treatment of deserving patients in the hospital.

In the meeting, it was decided that the hospital would be run on no-profit no-loss basis.—PPI



Source: Dawn e-Paper (http://epaper.dawn.com)