Sindh CM for precautionary measures during rain

Amid a forecast of heavy rains in Sindh, including Karachi, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed all the local bodies of the metropolitan city to take necessary measures to secure the life and property of citizens during the rain emergency period.

He issued these directives during a meeting of all LBs of the city, including Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) and District Municipal Committees (DMCs) and District Councils, at the CM House on Saturday.

Minister for Local Governments Syed Nasir Shah, Advisor on Law Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, P&D Chairman Hassan Naqvi, LGs Secretary Najam Shah, KMC Administrator Saif-ur-Rehman and administrators of DMCs and district councils attended the meeting.

The chief minister emphasised the importance of monitoring nullahs to ensure their smooth flow as there is a forecast of heavy rains that could cause urban flooding. He added that all three major nullahs have recently been cleaned and their embankments cemented, so there should be no problem in disposing of rainwater into them. The connecting nullah falling under the jurisdiction of the DMCs and district councils must also be maintained.

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The CM said, there are reports that people are dumping debris and garbage along the embankments of nullahs. He said that he has directed the police to impound such vehicles and take strict action against them. He also warned the DMCs to ensure that no vehicle dumps debris along the embankments of the nullahs within their limits.

Minister for Local Governments Syed Nasir Shah briefed the chief minister on the rain emergency meetings with the LBs and assured him that the LBs were prepared to tackle the rain emergency.

The chief minister also directed the KMC and DMCs to take necessary measures to increase their revenues.

The LBs have to generate their revenues, improve their recoveries in order to be self-sufficient, he added.

The recovery of property tax has been handed over to the local bodies, including DMCs and district councils, and they have to ensure an increase in the recoveries.

He observed that if the local bodies focus on proper recoveries of the property tax, they would be able to meet all their financial requirements, including carrying out development works in their respective areas.