Fazlur Rehman cuts medical leave short

Convenes meeting the same day, warns milk retailers against profiteering.

KARACHI:

City Administrator Fazlur Rehman cut his three-month medical leave short and resumed charge as the administrator of Karachi on Friday. In his absence, District Coordination Officer Muhammad Hussein Syed was filling in. But he flew to Turkey this week to attend the Mayors Conference.

Revenue EDO Roshan Ali Shaikh was told to fill in as the DCO and City Administrator in their absences.

However, soon after DCO Muhammad Hussein Syed left, Administrator Fazlur Rehman announced his return. Shaikh will continue to fill in as the DCO, until Muhammad Hussein Syed returns from Turkey.

A well-placed CDGK official told The Express Tribune that Rehman’s return was sudden and unexpected. He has cautioned CDGK officials to stay diligent or else there could be a massive reshuffling.

Meanwhile, immediately upon his return, Fazlur Rehman held a meeting with City District Government Karachi (CDGK) EDOs at the DCO camp office.

Rehman told the EDOs that the Sindh government has approved 11 development projects for the city, which is a significant number in a time of financial crisis.

He said that people believe in the CDGK officials and the devolution of state departments. They have faith that the town municipal administrations and the union councils would cater to their problems, said Rehman. However, he added, there are many complaints about water, sanitation infrastructure, parks and playgrounds. The EDOs must respond to these complaints promptly, advised the administrator.

Rehman also expressed anger at the “ongoing trend of profiteering”. He condemned the hike in milk prices and essential commodities.

“I will take stern action against the dairy farmers under the Maintenance of Public Order for unilaterally raising milk prices unless they start acting responsibly,” warned Rehman.

He said that he has already issued orders to take over the land that the dairy farmers had encroached on and illegally built dairy farms on. He would also order the arrest of illegal profiteers, including dairy farmers.

Rehman asked residents to put their trust in the CDGK and lodge complaints against those milk retailers who are overcharging.

“They should also boycott such retailers for at least two days,” he suggested.

More than 70 people were fined on Friday for selling milk at excessive prices. They would continue to fine sellers till the practice stops, said Rehman.

A meeting with dairy farmers, consumer associations and CDGK officials has been fixed for April 4 so that the CDGK could listen to the dairy farmers and address their problems as well.

Rehman said they need to take into consideration milk prices in other cities including Thatta, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Rahimyar Khan and Peshawar.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd,  2011.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: April 2, 2011

Due to an editing error, a wrong picture was attached to the story. It has been replaced by the correct one.