Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas Local Government news
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Time for govt to learn, empower LGs: mayor
Waseem says after SCs observations on govt departments poor performance,
local bodies should be granted powers and funds to do their job
The Karachi mayor said on Tuesday that the apex courts recent decision on the poor performance of various departments was an opportunity for the Sindh government to take the local governments onboard and grant them their constitutional powers for addressing civic issues.
After the Supreme Courts observations on government departments including the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and the North Sindh Urban Services Corporation, its time that local governments are given the necessary resources to do their job properly, Waseem Akhtar said at press conference at his office.
If the local governments were consulted or provided with the opportunity to serve the public, the situation wouldnt have worsened to the extent that the Supreme Court had to give such a judgement, he added.
The mayor said the government had not paid heed to the local governments requests, but now it should at least pay attention to the apex courts observations.
All parties in the city council are with us on Karachis issues and we want to help the Sindh government discard the label of bad governance, he remarked.
Powers and funds should be granted to the council members, who possess the required expertise to the job, so that they can work in the citys six districts.
The mayor cited excerpts from the Supreme Courts March 16 judgement. He as the verdict, the provincial government had to immediately dissolve the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board and assign its functions to local councils.
He added that city council would soon hold a meeting to discuss the waste disposal problems cited in the apex court report based on its judicial commissions findings.
We will chalk out a comprehensive policy to address Karachis solid waste management issue. We want to assist the provincial government and come up with a policy so that the people of Karachi dont suffer.
The mayor warned that if the provincial government still did not take give the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation its due powers and funds, it reserved its right to approach the apex court or the judicial commission which had been assigned high court powers.
We believe that the observations of the Supreme Court are in line with the concerns of the residents of Karachi and they believe that its judgement would pave the way for the elimination of years-long solid waste management problem of the city.
The mayor was accompanied by DMC East chairperson Moeed Anwer, DMC Korangi chairperson Nayyar Raza, DMC Central vice chairperson Shakir Ali, city council member Aslam Shah Afridi, city council Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf parliamentary leader Firdous Naqvi, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam parliamentary leader Junaid Mukati, Alam Zaib Aalai of the Awami National Party, JUIs Akbar Hashmi, and Amanullah Afridi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
Mayor for handing over Board powers to local councils
March 29, 2017
KARACHI - Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar has said that the latest Supreme Court (SC) decision on the poor performance of various departments, including Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) and Water Board and North Sindh Urban Services Corporation (NSUSC), has given an opportunity to the Sindh government to return to the local government the powers it is entitled to under the constitution. Addressing a press conference at his office here on Tuesday, he regretted, Had the stakeholders been consulted or provided the opportunity to serve the people, the situation would not have come to such a pass that SC had to give such a judgment.
He was accompanied by DMC East chairman, DMC Korangi chairman, DMC Central vice chairman Shakir Ali, parliamentary leader in the City Council Aslam Shah Afridi, parliamentary leader from PTI Firdous Naqvi, from JUI Junaid Mukati, from ANP Alam Zaib Aalai, from JUI Akbar Hashmi, from PML-N Amanullah Afridi and local government representatives.
If the government does not pay heed to our requests then it should at least pay attention to the SCs observations, he stressed. Wasim said that all parties in the City Council were with us on city issues. We want to erase the label of bad governance from the Sindh government by providing it help and support, he added.
Reading out excerpts from the SC judgment CP 38/16, dated March 16 2017, he said it clearly made the provincial government bound to act accordingly and dissolve the SWM Board immediately and assign functions of the Board to local councils without any further delay.
This judgment clearly shows that SC has serious concerns over the working of the SWM Board, Wasim said and quoted the judges as saying: We are very much disturbed.
Instead of making improvements in the aforesaid functions of the local bodies in addition to announcing budgetary allocations, the Sindh government introduced the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Act, 2014, which assigned most of the functions, which the sanitary workers of the local bodies were to perform and for which they were paid salaries on regular basis, the mayor added.
Supreme Court further says that huge amount is spent on SWM without a result. Every year, an amount of Rs350 million is allocated for the Board, out of which Rs200 million are spent on the payment of salaries whereas Rs150 million are spent on non-salary account. The Board has not done anything till date to remedy the agonies of the people except on papers where it is shown to be active, Wasim elaborated.
Further quoting the apex courts observations about the working of SWM Board, the mayor said, The ground reality is that this Board is replica of the NSUSC, which was drawing handsome amounts from Asian Development Bank and the Sindh Government and prima facie these amounts were misused and abused by the Management of NSUSC. The In-charge of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board was heard by us. We are not impressed by his skills and expertise as he has no administrative experience of the job description.
Thus, the SC has shown complete distrust in the MD by saying that his skills or expertise are not impressive as he does not have any administrative experience, Wasim said, and added the SC had further observed, If this Board is allowed to exist, it would be a permanent liability of the Sindh government. The report of the Commission is a charge sheet with regard to the working of various departments in the Sindh government, including the Solid Waste Management Board which has failed to deliver even though the management is drawing salaries in million of rupees and a substantial amount is being paid for non-salary expenses.
Thus, the SC has decided that We under these circumstances are compelled to observe that this Court has serious reservations with regard to the continuation of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board programs, which has failed to deliver in any part of Sindh including Karachi, and as the government continues to also pay to local government departments for the same work. Such amounts need to be utilised by strengthening the departments which are meant for the aforesaid job.
Wasim said, SC has also cautioned against running SWM Board as a parallel department in the following words: Running a parallel organisation to perform the same function leads to bad governance and lack of responsibility and accountability, which is sadly the order of the day, as clearly demonstrated from the material collected by the Commission and by viewing the recordings. SC concludes in the following words: Experiments should end now. The non- functional Board which has never performed should be dissolved by transferring its functions to the local bodies as provided under the Rules of Business.
The mayor said the Council of Karachi had taken a serious view of the situation, and it was to meet shortly to discuss the situation and develop a comprehensive policy so that the issue of solid waste management could be resolved in the best interests of Karachiites.
We aim to help the Government of Sindh by extending our support and developing a policy so that the people of Karachi should not suffer, he stated.
He further said, We also caution the Government of Sindh that if our suggestions are not listened to, we reserve our right to approach the SC or the Water Commission, which has been assigned the powers of a high court for the implementation of this order.
Wasim went on to say, We believe that the observations of SC are in line with the aspirations of the people of Karachi and they (people of Karachi) believe that this judgment will pave the way for the elimination of the years long problem of solid waste management and they will be able to have cleaner and better environment in Karachi.
On the occasion, a member of the City Council, from Jamat-e-Islami, Junaid Mukati demanded the announcement of budget of Rs500 billion for Karachi and also devolution of powers to the union councils while other parliamentary leaders from different parties also expressed their views and supported the stance of the Karachi mayor.
This news was published in The Nation newspaper. Read complete newspaper of 29-Mar-2017
Mayor asks Sindh govt to enforce SC order on solid waste management
HASAN MANSOORPUBLISHED ABOUT 9 HOURS AGO
KARACHI: Mayor Wasim Akhtar on Tuesday said the latest Supreme Court decision on poor performance of various departments, including the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB), Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and the North Sindh Urban Services Corporation Ltd (NSUSC), was an opportunity for the Sindh government to solve civic problems by taking the elected governments on board.
Had stakeholders in Karachi been consulted or provided an opportunity to serve people, the situation would not have reached this level where the Supreme Court had to give such a judgement, said Mr Akhtar while addressing a packed press conference at his office.
If the government does not listen to our requests then it should at least pay attention to the Supreme Courts observations. All parties in the City Council are with us on city issues. We want to erase the label of bad governance [attached to] the Sindh government by providing help and support to them, said the Karachi mayor, who was accompanied by chairmen of Karachi East and Korangi DMCs Moeed Anwer and Nayyar Raza, Karachi Central DMC vice chairman Shakir Ali, MQMs parliamentary leader in the city council Aslam Shah Afridi, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insafs Firdous Naqvi, Jamaat-i-Islamis Junaid Mukati, Awami National Partys Alam Zaib Aalai, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islams Akbar Hashmi, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawazs Amanullah Afridi and other local government representatives.
Referring to the Supreme Court judgement (CP 38/16 dated March 16, 2017), he explained that it clearly demonstrates the Government of Sindh has to act accordingly and dissolve this SWM Board and assign the functions of the SWM Board to local councils immediately.
Through the judgement, he said, the Supreme Court has shown serious concerns about the working of the SWM Board.
Reading out an excerpt from the judgement, he said: Instead of making improvement on the aforesaid functions of the local bodies in addition to the budgetary allocation to the local government departments, the Sindh Government has introduced the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Act, 2014, assigning most of the functions which the sanitary workers of the local bodies were to perform and for which they are being paid their salaries on a regular basis.
He said the judgement observed that a huge amount of money was being spent on the SWMB without any result; Rs350 million was allocated every year to the SWMB out of which Rs200m was spent on salaries and Rs150m on non-salary expenditure. This Board has not done anything till date to remedy the agonies of the residents of the cities except on paper, where it is shown to be active.
The mayor said the court had serious reservations over the continuation of SWMB programmes that had failed to deliver, while the government continued to pay the local government departments also for the same work. The court cautioned against running the SWMB as a parallel department, he added.
Mr Akhtar quoted the apex court as saying that the non-functional board should be dissolved by transferring its functions to the local bodies as provided under the Rules of Business.
He said the City Council or the KMC had taken a serious view of the situation. We are going to meet in the council shortly to develop a comprehensive policy so that the issue of solid waste management is resolved in the best interest of citizens.
We aim to help the Sindh government by extending our support and developing a policy so that the people of Karachi should not suffer.
Mr Akhtar, however, cautioned the Sindh government that if their suggestions were not heeded, we reserve the right to approach the apex court or the water commission that has been assigned the powers of the high court for implementation of this order.
Supporting the mayors views, parliamentary leaders from different parties demanded that the provincial government give more power and funds to the local bodies to enable them to perform properly.
Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2017
Two years on, Karachi mayor yet to begin fight to regain powers
Published: March 29, 2017
KARACHI: It has almost been two years since the local government elections were held and more than half of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporations (KMC) municipal functions and powers were taken away by the Sindh government.
After the 18th Amendment, the provinces were made autonomous but they failed to delegate powers to the local government. The elected KMCs city council has no powers in areas and functions falling under the jurisdiction of Sindh Building Control Authority, master plan department, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Lyari Development Authority, Malir Development Authority, Karachi Development Authority and Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB).
Making excuses: Mayor must focus on existing powers
Before the Local Government Act 2013 was enacted, these departments had already been taken out of the jurisdiction of the KMC. In 2001s Local Government Ordinance, the city mayor, by virtue of his position, was the chairperson of all these civic agencies. However, ever since they have been separated from the KMC, the powers lie with the Sindh government. Even the budget that the council will pass can be amended, modified or changed by the Sindh government.
MQMs reluctance
What is ironic is the conspicuously lacking fervour attributed to the MQM when it comes to dealing with such issues. So far, the Karachi mayor and MQM have been grappling with the situation with mere statements against the Sindh government and havent done anything concrete to get back the powers.
Earlier in March, the mayor once again vowed to go into litigation for his mayoral powers by invoking Article 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan as his last resort. However, nothing like that has happened till date.
Kamal demands immediate devolution of powers to Karachi mayor
SCs observation
Last week, the Supreme Court (SC) observed that the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), which was established to collect and dispose of garbage, should be dissolved for failing to perform.
In a 64-page interim order, the apex courts three-judge bench noted that basic functions, such as collection and disposal of solid waste, effective delivery of sanitation services and provision of free environment, which were assigned to the SSWMB, were carved out from the domain of the municipal bodies to improve collection and disposal of waste from different cities, particularly Karachi.
The bench declared the SSWMB a replica of the Sindh government-owned North Sindh Urban Services Corporation (NSUSC), which was drawing handsome amounts from Asian Development Bank and Sindh government. However, amounts were being misused by the corporations management, the bench added.
Even after this observation of the SC, the MQM has yet to go to court. Meanwhile, the provincial government seems to be in no mood to transfer even an iota of the power to the local government.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro said the SC has not nullified the SSWMBs act, which was passed by the Sindh Assembly. It was just SCs observation, he said, adding that in Lahore, a Turkish company is doing the garbage collection and that is much more expensive than that of the Sindhs. Referring to the SCs observation about NSUSC, he said SSWMB is not at all a replica of it. The NSUSC was getting foreign funding, whereas, the SSWMB has its own board, Shoro added.
Article 140-A
With the SCs observation, the case of the MQM seemed to have gained some momentum, according to advocate Naeemur Rehman. The constitutions Article 140A says each province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments.
MQM spokesperson Aminul Haque said their party will file its petition in the Sindh High Court to get financial, administrative and political powers for not only the Karachi mayor but all the local government representatives of Sindh.
Rehman said if the case is presented properly, the court could ask the Sindh government to transfer certain powers to the local government.
Fools paradise
Source privy to the matter in the party have confirmed that barrister Dr Muhammad Farogh Naseem has been contacted by the MQM to fight the case for the mayoral powers.
The MQM, according to the source, was of the idea that they would get the powers in no time after taking over the office. However, to their misfortune, the party split into three groups before the mayor could take reign of his office and their political grip over the city weakened.
The party wanted to get the powers through dialogue and by using its old bargaining tactics with the Sindh government, because going into litigation is a lengthy process. However, the source said, with the drastic changes in the political scenario in 2016, the MQM has realised that they have no option but to go in litigation.
It is possible that the litigation process might take the entire tenure of the local government and in the next elections, the MQM will continue to air the same woes of powers, the source said. The Karachi mayor did not respond to repeated phone calls by The Express Tribune
Waseem says after SCs observations on govt departments poor performance,
local bodies should be granted powers and funds to do their job
The Karachi mayor said on Tuesday that the apex courts recent decision on the poor performance of various departments was an opportunity for the Sindh government to take the local governments onboard and grant them their constitutional powers for addressing civic issues.
After the Supreme Courts observations on government departments including the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and the North Sindh Urban Services Corporation, its time that local governments are given the necessary resources to do their job properly, Waseem Akhtar said at press conference at his office.
If the local governments were consulted or provided with the opportunity to serve the public, the situation wouldnt have worsened to the extent that the Supreme Court had to give such a judgement, he added.
The mayor said the government had not paid heed to the local governments requests, but now it should at least pay attention to the apex courts observations.
All parties in the city council are with us on Karachis issues and we want to help the Sindh government discard the label of bad governance, he remarked.
Powers and funds should be granted to the council members, who possess the required expertise to the job, so that they can work in the citys six districts.
The mayor cited excerpts from the Supreme Courts March 16 judgement. He as the verdict, the provincial government had to immediately dissolve the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board and assign its functions to local councils.
He added that city council would soon hold a meeting to discuss the waste disposal problems cited in the apex court report based on its judicial commissions findings.
We will chalk out a comprehensive policy to address Karachis solid waste management issue. We want to assist the provincial government and come up with a policy so that the people of Karachi dont suffer.
The mayor warned that if the provincial government still did not take give the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation its due powers and funds, it reserved its right to approach the apex court or the judicial commission which had been assigned high court powers.
We believe that the observations of the Supreme Court are in line with the concerns of the residents of Karachi and they believe that its judgement would pave the way for the elimination of years-long solid waste management problem of the city.
The mayor was accompanied by DMC East chairperson Moeed Anwer, DMC Korangi chairperson Nayyar Raza, DMC Central vice chairperson Shakir Ali, city council member Aslam Shah Afridi, city council Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf parliamentary leader Firdous Naqvi, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam parliamentary leader Junaid Mukati, Alam Zaib Aalai of the Awami National Party, JUIs Akbar Hashmi, and Amanullah Afridi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
Mayor for handing over Board powers to local councils
March 29, 2017
KARACHI - Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar has said that the latest Supreme Court (SC) decision on the poor performance of various departments, including Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) and Water Board and North Sindh Urban Services Corporation (NSUSC), has given an opportunity to the Sindh government to return to the local government the powers it is entitled to under the constitution. Addressing a press conference at his office here on Tuesday, he regretted, Had the stakeholders been consulted or provided the opportunity to serve the people, the situation would not have come to such a pass that SC had to give such a judgment.
He was accompanied by DMC East chairman, DMC Korangi chairman, DMC Central vice chairman Shakir Ali, parliamentary leader in the City Council Aslam Shah Afridi, parliamentary leader from PTI Firdous Naqvi, from JUI Junaid Mukati, from ANP Alam Zaib Aalai, from JUI Akbar Hashmi, from PML-N Amanullah Afridi and local government representatives.
If the government does not pay heed to our requests then it should at least pay attention to the SCs observations, he stressed. Wasim said that all parties in the City Council were with us on city issues. We want to erase the label of bad governance from the Sindh government by providing it help and support, he added.
Reading out excerpts from the SC judgment CP 38/16, dated March 16 2017, he said it clearly made the provincial government bound to act accordingly and dissolve the SWM Board immediately and assign functions of the Board to local councils without any further delay.
This judgment clearly shows that SC has serious concerns over the working of the SWM Board, Wasim said and quoted the judges as saying: We are very much disturbed.
Instead of making improvements in the aforesaid functions of the local bodies in addition to announcing budgetary allocations, the Sindh government introduced the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Act, 2014, which assigned most of the functions, which the sanitary workers of the local bodies were to perform and for which they were paid salaries on regular basis, the mayor added.
Supreme Court further says that huge amount is spent on SWM without a result. Every year, an amount of Rs350 million is allocated for the Board, out of which Rs200 million are spent on the payment of salaries whereas Rs150 million are spent on non-salary account. The Board has not done anything till date to remedy the agonies of the people except on papers where it is shown to be active, Wasim elaborated.
Further quoting the apex courts observations about the working of SWM Board, the mayor said, The ground reality is that this Board is replica of the NSUSC, which was drawing handsome amounts from Asian Development Bank and the Sindh Government and prima facie these amounts were misused and abused by the Management of NSUSC. The In-charge of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board was heard by us. We are not impressed by his skills and expertise as he has no administrative experience of the job description.
Thus, the SC has shown complete distrust in the MD by saying that his skills or expertise are not impressive as he does not have any administrative experience, Wasim said, and added the SC had further observed, If this Board is allowed to exist, it would be a permanent liability of the Sindh government. The report of the Commission is a charge sheet with regard to the working of various departments in the Sindh government, including the Solid Waste Management Board which has failed to deliver even though the management is drawing salaries in million of rupees and a substantial amount is being paid for non-salary expenses.
Thus, the SC has decided that We under these circumstances are compelled to observe that this Court has serious reservations with regard to the continuation of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board programs, which has failed to deliver in any part of Sindh including Karachi, and as the government continues to also pay to local government departments for the same work. Such amounts need to be utilised by strengthening the departments which are meant for the aforesaid job.
Wasim said, SC has also cautioned against running SWM Board as a parallel department in the following words: Running a parallel organisation to perform the same function leads to bad governance and lack of responsibility and accountability, which is sadly the order of the day, as clearly demonstrated from the material collected by the Commission and by viewing the recordings. SC concludes in the following words: Experiments should end now. The non- functional Board which has never performed should be dissolved by transferring its functions to the local bodies as provided under the Rules of Business.
The mayor said the Council of Karachi had taken a serious view of the situation, and it was to meet shortly to discuss the situation and develop a comprehensive policy so that the issue of solid waste management could be resolved in the best interests of Karachiites.
We aim to help the Government of Sindh by extending our support and developing a policy so that the people of Karachi should not suffer, he stated.
He further said, We also caution the Government of Sindh that if our suggestions are not listened to, we reserve our right to approach the SC or the Water Commission, which has been assigned the powers of a high court for the implementation of this order.
Wasim went on to say, We believe that the observations of SC are in line with the aspirations of the people of Karachi and they (people of Karachi) believe that this judgment will pave the way for the elimination of the years long problem of solid waste management and they will be able to have cleaner and better environment in Karachi.
On the occasion, a member of the City Council, from Jamat-e-Islami, Junaid Mukati demanded the announcement of budget of Rs500 billion for Karachi and also devolution of powers to the union councils while other parliamentary leaders from different parties also expressed their views and supported the stance of the Karachi mayor.
This news was published in The Nation newspaper. Read complete newspaper of 29-Mar-2017
Mayor asks Sindh govt to enforce SC order on solid waste management
HASAN MANSOORPUBLISHED ABOUT 9 HOURS AGO
KARACHI: Mayor Wasim Akhtar on Tuesday said the latest Supreme Court decision on poor performance of various departments, including the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB), Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and the North Sindh Urban Services Corporation Ltd (NSUSC), was an opportunity for the Sindh government to solve civic problems by taking the elected governments on board.
Had stakeholders in Karachi been consulted or provided an opportunity to serve people, the situation would not have reached this level where the Supreme Court had to give such a judgement, said Mr Akhtar while addressing a packed press conference at his office.
If the government does not listen to our requests then it should at least pay attention to the Supreme Courts observations. All parties in the City Council are with us on city issues. We want to erase the label of bad governance [attached to] the Sindh government by providing help and support to them, said the Karachi mayor, who was accompanied by chairmen of Karachi East and Korangi DMCs Moeed Anwer and Nayyar Raza, Karachi Central DMC vice chairman Shakir Ali, MQMs parliamentary leader in the city council Aslam Shah Afridi, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insafs Firdous Naqvi, Jamaat-i-Islamis Junaid Mukati, Awami National Partys Alam Zaib Aalai, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islams Akbar Hashmi, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawazs Amanullah Afridi and other local government representatives.
Referring to the Supreme Court judgement (CP 38/16 dated March 16, 2017), he explained that it clearly demonstrates the Government of Sindh has to act accordingly and dissolve this SWM Board and assign the functions of the SWM Board to local councils immediately.
Through the judgement, he said, the Supreme Court has shown serious concerns about the working of the SWM Board.
Reading out an excerpt from the judgement, he said: Instead of making improvement on the aforesaid functions of the local bodies in addition to the budgetary allocation to the local government departments, the Sindh Government has introduced the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Act, 2014, assigning most of the functions which the sanitary workers of the local bodies were to perform and for which they are being paid their salaries on a regular basis.
He said the judgement observed that a huge amount of money was being spent on the SWMB without any result; Rs350 million was allocated every year to the SWMB out of which Rs200m was spent on salaries and Rs150m on non-salary expenditure. This Board has not done anything till date to remedy the agonies of the residents of the cities except on paper, where it is shown to be active.
The mayor said the court had serious reservations over the continuation of SWMB programmes that had failed to deliver, while the government continued to pay the local government departments also for the same work. The court cautioned against running the SWMB as a parallel department, he added.
Mr Akhtar quoted the apex court as saying that the non-functional board should be dissolved by transferring its functions to the local bodies as provided under the Rules of Business.
He said the City Council or the KMC had taken a serious view of the situation. We are going to meet in the council shortly to develop a comprehensive policy so that the issue of solid waste management is resolved in the best interest of citizens.
We aim to help the Sindh government by extending our support and developing a policy so that the people of Karachi should not suffer.
Mr Akhtar, however, cautioned the Sindh government that if their suggestions were not heeded, we reserve the right to approach the apex court or the water commission that has been assigned the powers of the high court for implementation of this order.
Supporting the mayors views, parliamentary leaders from different parties demanded that the provincial government give more power and funds to the local bodies to enable them to perform properly.
Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2017
Two years on, Karachi mayor yet to begin fight to regain powers
Published: March 29, 2017
KARACHI: It has almost been two years since the local government elections were held and more than half of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporations (KMC) municipal functions and powers were taken away by the Sindh government.
After the 18th Amendment, the provinces were made autonomous but they failed to delegate powers to the local government. The elected KMCs city council has no powers in areas and functions falling under the jurisdiction of Sindh Building Control Authority, master plan department, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Lyari Development Authority, Malir Development Authority, Karachi Development Authority and Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB).
Making excuses: Mayor must focus on existing powers
Before the Local Government Act 2013 was enacted, these departments had already been taken out of the jurisdiction of the KMC. In 2001s Local Government Ordinance, the city mayor, by virtue of his position, was the chairperson of all these civic agencies. However, ever since they have been separated from the KMC, the powers lie with the Sindh government. Even the budget that the council will pass can be amended, modified or changed by the Sindh government.
MQMs reluctance
What is ironic is the conspicuously lacking fervour attributed to the MQM when it comes to dealing with such issues. So far, the Karachi mayor and MQM have been grappling with the situation with mere statements against the Sindh government and havent done anything concrete to get back the powers.
Earlier in March, the mayor once again vowed to go into litigation for his mayoral powers by invoking Article 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan as his last resort. However, nothing like that has happened till date.
Kamal demands immediate devolution of powers to Karachi mayor
SCs observation
Last week, the Supreme Court (SC) observed that the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), which was established to collect and dispose of garbage, should be dissolved for failing to perform.
In a 64-page interim order, the apex courts three-judge bench noted that basic functions, such as collection and disposal of solid waste, effective delivery of sanitation services and provision of free environment, which were assigned to the SSWMB, were carved out from the domain of the municipal bodies to improve collection and disposal of waste from different cities, particularly Karachi.
The bench declared the SSWMB a replica of the Sindh government-owned North Sindh Urban Services Corporation (NSUSC), which was drawing handsome amounts from Asian Development Bank and Sindh government. However, amounts were being misused by the corporations management, the bench added.
Even after this observation of the SC, the MQM has yet to go to court. Meanwhile, the provincial government seems to be in no mood to transfer even an iota of the power to the local government.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro said the SC has not nullified the SSWMBs act, which was passed by the Sindh Assembly. It was just SCs observation, he said, adding that in Lahore, a Turkish company is doing the garbage collection and that is much more expensive than that of the Sindhs. Referring to the SCs observation about NSUSC, he said SSWMB is not at all a replica of it. The NSUSC was getting foreign funding, whereas, the SSWMB has its own board, Shoro added.
Article 140-A
With the SCs observation, the case of the MQM seemed to have gained some momentum, according to advocate Naeemur Rehman. The constitutions Article 140A says each province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments.
MQM spokesperson Aminul Haque said their party will file its petition in the Sindh High Court to get financial, administrative and political powers for not only the Karachi mayor but all the local government representatives of Sindh.
Rehman said if the case is presented properly, the court could ask the Sindh government to transfer certain powers to the local government.
Fools paradise
Source privy to the matter in the party have confirmed that barrister Dr Muhammad Farogh Naseem has been contacted by the MQM to fight the case for the mayoral powers.
The MQM, according to the source, was of the idea that they would get the powers in no time after taking over the office. However, to their misfortune, the party split into three groups before the mayor could take reign of his office and their political grip over the city weakened.
The party wanted to get the powers through dialogue and by using its old bargaining tactics with the Sindh government, because going into litigation is a lengthy process. However, the source said, with the drastic changes in the political scenario in 2016, the MQM has realised that they have no option but to go in litigation.
It is possible that the litigation process might take the entire tenure of the local government and in the next elections, the MQM will continue to air the same woes of powers, the source said. The Karachi mayor did not respond to repeated phone calls by The Express Tribune
bisaat
Banned
Nazimabad
City Reporter
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), has expedited its activities against the encroachment and clear different areas of the city from encroachment to facilitate the traffic and pedestrians.
The KMC’s anti-encroachment team removed encroachments from the surrounding areas of scrap market UC-49 Millat Park Jahangirabad Nazimabad no 1 here, said a statement on Monday.
Senior Director Anti-Encroachment Wing of KMC, Muhammad Nazir Lakhani supervised the anti-encroachment operation.
Nazir Lakhani has said that the operation against encroachment will continue without any interval to discourage the encroacher. He said that the action against encroachment were taken in the Nazimabad on the application of the area people.
City Reporter
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), has expedited its activities against the encroachment and clear different areas of the city from encroachment to facilitate the traffic and pedestrians.
The KMC’s anti-encroachment team removed encroachments from the surrounding areas of scrap market UC-49 Millat Park Jahangirabad Nazimabad no 1 here, said a statement on Monday.
Senior Director Anti-Encroachment Wing of KMC, Muhammad Nazir Lakhani supervised the anti-encroachment operation.
Nazir Lakhani has said that the operation against encroachment will continue without any interval to discourage the encroacher. He said that the action against encroachment were taken in the Nazimabad on the application of the area people.
bisaat
Banned
Karachi’s iconic park given to Bahria Town
IMRAN AYUBUPDATED ABOUT 4 HOURS AGO
KARACHI: The Sindh government on Thursday handed over Karachi’s iconic park — Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim — to real estate giant Bahria Town for 10 years in a move which the provincial authorities claimed would save funds and encourage private organisations to carry out social work and public service.
A notification issued by the Sindh local government ministry stated that the decision to hand over the park “for adoption” had been taken after its approval by a competent authority, but made it clear that salary of its staff would be paid by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).
For this ‘handover’, the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government first took over the control of the park from the city’s municipal administration mainly dominated by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan.
“In pursuance of notification of even number dated 21-11-2016 and with the approval of competent authority, Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim Park along with aquarium situated in Clifton has been taken over by the local government department from KMC and handed over to M/S Bahria Town Private Limited for adoption as per agreement executed on 30-03-2017,” said the notification.
Mayor says he has not been consulted by Sindh govt over ‘handover’
Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar told a television news channel that he had not been consulted on the handover of the park.
The park is in the vicinity of Bahria Icon Tower — an under-construction 60-storey building of the real estate tycoon which will be the country’s tallest structure after its completion.
But Sindh local bodies minister Jam Khan Shoro made it clear that the organisations adopting parks would not be allowed to use such facilities for commercial purposes.
A statement issued by the MQM on the deal, however, alleged that something more sinister than a simple ‘park adoption’ was under way.
“There are reports that the park was handed over on a condition that Bahria Town can use its eight acres area for commercial activities. We believe that these conditions are equal to exploitation of people’s rights and my party will raise the issue in the assemblies and also approach the court, if needed,” MQM-Pakistan leader Faisal Subzwari said in the statement.
Spread over 130 acres, the park was completed in a record time of 10 months after removing encroachments from 70 acres of its land. It was opened to the public in February 2007 after its inauguration by then president and army chief Gen Pervez Musharraf.
The then city government led by nazim Mustafa Kamal formally began the project in July 2005 and spent Rs500 million to complete the massive structure along the seashore.
The situation at the park started deteriorating in the absence of the local government for nearly five years which also affected the attendance of families at the park.
The new agreement between the provincial government and Bahria Town allowed the real estate company to “take care” of the park for the next 10 years “considering” its contribution to social and welfare projects, the local bodies minister told Dawn. It would definitely save government funds to a large extent, he added.
“It was proposed years ago that the government should hand over parks to those organisations or bodies which want to contribute to government facilities without putting any financial burden on people and without any financial interest,” Mr Shoro said, adding that recent amendments to local bodies rules paved the way for private organisations to adopt parks.
“It’s a practice across the world. The government will make sure that people enjoy cheap and healthy entertainment and recreational activities. This move is not restricted to Bahria Town; any organisation proving its interest in social work and people’s benefit can avail this,” the minister said.
Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2017
IMRAN AYUBUPDATED ABOUT 4 HOURS AGO
KARACHI: The Sindh government on Thursday handed over Karachi’s iconic park — Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim — to real estate giant Bahria Town for 10 years in a move which the provincial authorities claimed would save funds and encourage private organisations to carry out social work and public service.
A notification issued by the Sindh local government ministry stated that the decision to hand over the park “for adoption” had been taken after its approval by a competent authority, but made it clear that salary of its staff would be paid by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).
For this ‘handover’, the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government first took over the control of the park from the city’s municipal administration mainly dominated by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan.
“In pursuance of notification of even number dated 21-11-2016 and with the approval of competent authority, Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim Park along with aquarium situated in Clifton has been taken over by the local government department from KMC and handed over to M/S Bahria Town Private Limited for adoption as per agreement executed on 30-03-2017,” said the notification.
Mayor says he has not been consulted by Sindh govt over ‘handover’
Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar told a television news channel that he had not been consulted on the handover of the park.
The park is in the vicinity of Bahria Icon Tower — an under-construction 60-storey building of the real estate tycoon which will be the country’s tallest structure after its completion.
But Sindh local bodies minister Jam Khan Shoro made it clear that the organisations adopting parks would not be allowed to use such facilities for commercial purposes.
A statement issued by the MQM on the deal, however, alleged that something more sinister than a simple ‘park adoption’ was under way.
“There are reports that the park was handed over on a condition that Bahria Town can use its eight acres area for commercial activities. We believe that these conditions are equal to exploitation of people’s rights and my party will raise the issue in the assemblies and also approach the court, if needed,” MQM-Pakistan leader Faisal Subzwari said in the statement.
Spread over 130 acres, the park was completed in a record time of 10 months after removing encroachments from 70 acres of its land. It was opened to the public in February 2007 after its inauguration by then president and army chief Gen Pervez Musharraf.
The then city government led by nazim Mustafa Kamal formally began the project in July 2005 and spent Rs500 million to complete the massive structure along the seashore.
The situation at the park started deteriorating in the absence of the local government for nearly five years which also affected the attendance of families at the park.
The new agreement between the provincial government and Bahria Town allowed the real estate company to “take care” of the park for the next 10 years “considering” its contribution to social and welfare projects, the local bodies minister told Dawn. It would definitely save government funds to a large extent, he added.
“It was proposed years ago that the government should hand over parks to those organisations or bodies which want to contribute to government facilities without putting any financial burden on people and without any financial interest,” Mr Shoro said, adding that recent amendments to local bodies rules paved the way for private organisations to adopt parks.
“It’s a practice across the world. The government will make sure that people enjoy cheap and healthy entertainment and recreational activities. This move is not restricted to Bahria Town; any organisation proving its interest in social work and people’s benefit can avail this,” the minister said.
Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2017
bisaat
Banned
Mayor Karachi @wasimakhtar1955 show his strong reservation on Sindh Govt decision
Mayor Karachi For Developing Parks, Playgrounds In City
17 hours ago
KARACHI, (Pakistan Point News - 30th Mar, 2017 ): Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar has said we want to develop parks and playgrounds for the benefit of the people but still we were engage in lifting garbage of last eight years from the city. He said this while addressing the third international conference on environment, health and security here on Thursday, said a statement. President Fire Protection Association of Pakistan Farhat Hussain, Brigadier Rashid Siddiqui from National Shipping Corporation, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan from Brooks Pharma, Tahir Khaliq and Ateeq-ur-Rehman from KCCI and others were also spoke on this occasion.
The Mayor Karachi said thousands of deaths occurred in Sindh only due to dog biting. We did not have awareness in this regard and people were dying regularly, he added. He said the master plan, building control, transport, solid waste management board was with the Sindh Government and the Mayor Karachi was not consulted on these issues. He said no reply was received of the proposals sent by us for solving city problems to the chief minister. He said we need to prepare our self for climate changes and take necessary measures both at provincial and national levels to protect our cities and villages. On the occasion Mayor Karachi gave away shields to the participants of the conference.
URL: https://jang.com.pk/latest/290974-people-are-getting-sick-and-dying-of-waste-mayor-karachi
Karachi ppl dying of waste/garbage
Mayor Karachi For Developing Parks, Playgrounds In City
17 hours ago
KARACHI, (Pakistan Point News - 30th Mar, 2017 ): Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar has said we want to develop parks and playgrounds for the benefit of the people but still we were engage in lifting garbage of last eight years from the city. He said this while addressing the third international conference on environment, health and security here on Thursday, said a statement. President Fire Protection Association of Pakistan Farhat Hussain, Brigadier Rashid Siddiqui from National Shipping Corporation, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan from Brooks Pharma, Tahir Khaliq and Ateeq-ur-Rehman from KCCI and others were also spoke on this occasion.
The Mayor Karachi said thousands of deaths occurred in Sindh only due to dog biting. We did not have awareness in this regard and people were dying regularly, he added. He said the master plan, building control, transport, solid waste management board was with the Sindh Government and the Mayor Karachi was not consulted on these issues. He said no reply was received of the proposals sent by us for solving city problems to the chief minister. He said we need to prepare our self for climate changes and take necessary measures both at provincial and national levels to protect our cities and villages. On the occasion Mayor Karachi gave away shields to the participants of the conference.
URL: https://jang.com.pk/latest/290974-people-are-getting-sick-and-dying-of-waste-mayor-karachi
Karachi ppl dying of waste/garbage
bisaat
Banned
Karachi: Waseem Akhtar Media Talk Bagh Ibn Qasim - 92NewsHDPlus
Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim left to go into rundown state deliberately: Karachi Mayor
KARACHI: The city mayor claims that Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim was left to crumble deliberately and that it was in a beautiful state of lush green when handed over to the Sindh government.
Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar said that the Pakistan Peoples Party gave the contract of the park’s maintenance to a party worker who spent close to no amount of the funds on maintenance. "It was pre-planned so that someone could intervene to improve its condition." He further added.
Waseem Akhtar filed a case regarding the handover of Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim to the Bahria Town administrator in the Sindh High Court.
Akhtar claims that the matters of the park fall under the jurisdiction of the local government because of which the step taken by the Sindh government was against the law.
He further said that a petition has been filed and the matter has become sub judice now and a request has been made against the notification issued by the local government secretary.
The mayor added that the move is under criticism since the park is the property of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and belongs to the public and neither KMC nor the public was taken aboard.
Waseem claims that he has no objection to the beautification of the city but if Bahria Town administration wants to improve the conditions of the city they should make parks elsewhere like in Sohrab Goth which is one of the entry points to the city. It is also in a ragged condition with clogged roads.
The mayor had announced his decision to take the issue to the court on Friday.
The mayor fears that the park would become a commercial spot if handed over to the Bahria Town administration.
Bahria Town Chairperson Malik Riaz responded to criticism saying that he will not take any action unless and until all stakeholders are on board and he will make sure Bagh Ibne-e-Qasim does not become a commercial spot.
Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim left to go into rundown state deliberately: Karachi Mayor
KARACHI: The city mayor claims that Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim was left to crumble deliberately and that it was in a beautiful state of lush green when handed over to the Sindh government.
Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar said that the Pakistan Peoples Party gave the contract of the park’s maintenance to a party worker who spent close to no amount of the funds on maintenance. "It was pre-planned so that someone could intervene to improve its condition." He further added.
Waseem Akhtar filed a case regarding the handover of Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim to the Bahria Town administrator in the Sindh High Court.
Akhtar claims that the matters of the park fall under the jurisdiction of the local government because of which the step taken by the Sindh government was against the law.
He further said that a petition has been filed and the matter has become sub judice now and a request has been made against the notification issued by the local government secretary.
The mayor added that the move is under criticism since the park is the property of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and belongs to the public and neither KMC nor the public was taken aboard.
Waseem claims that he has no objection to the beautification of the city but if Bahria Town administration wants to improve the conditions of the city they should make parks elsewhere like in Sohrab Goth which is one of the entry points to the city. It is also in a ragged condition with clogged roads.
The mayor had announced his decision to take the issue to the court on Friday.
The mayor fears that the park would become a commercial spot if handed over to the Bahria Town administration.
Bahria Town Chairperson Malik Riaz responded to criticism saying that he will not take any action unless and until all stakeholders are on board and he will make sure Bagh Ibne-e-Qasim does not become a commercial spot.
