Arif Khan, a counsellor representing Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) asked the PSP chairman to take his words back arguing his insulting speech has severely hurt the sentiments of Karachiites who have elected Mayor Waseem Akhtar for their representation to run the city affairs. Mayor was making his all out efforts to resolve the city's lingering issues, he said.
The council session was presided over by the Deputy Mayor Dr Arshad Abdullah Vohra as Mayor Waseem Akhtar remained absent in the second consecutive sitting. Proceedings started a bid late while it was adjourned on time with passing as many as 14 resolutions.
The council also adopted a unanimous resolution that demanded restructuring of the city's sole leprosy hospital in Manghopir area of the metropolis. The health facility is being run by Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) since long. Deputy Mayor on this occasion informed the floor that the leprosy hospital is one of the 18 major hospitals being run by KMC in parts of the metropolis. An infectious disease specific research and diagnostic center is also being established within the hospital and 90 percent of building's construction work has been completed, he added. Besides, the city government was working in close co-ordination with the Sindh Government to ensure proper treatment of other infectious diseases like HIV, Malaria, and Dengue etc I have recently paid visits of six big hospitals to review medical arrangements.
Shahana, a counsellor elected from Jamshed Town UC-8 on this occasion said proper treatments of patients with infectious diseases are crucial. The leprosy hospital has been playing major role in curbing contagious diseases. Hundreds of patients from across the country come to this hospital and get treatment, she said.
The council also approved Rs 25,000 as 'monthly impressed account' each to the offices of leader of the house and leader of the opposition to fulfill their daily expenditures like refreshment for guests and purchase of necessary items. The council also approved another unanimous resolution that demanded arrangement of common room/waiting room and separate wash rooms for female council members. The resolution said a large number of female members are attending the council sessions but they lack common room to discuss civic issues in order to find appropriate solutions with mutual consultation. Neither there is any special place for Namaz, nor any separate washrooms for the female councillors. While in 2002, the then city Nazim Naimatullah had designated separate facilities for these purposes.
The council also approved separate resolutions condemning the recent attack on Deputy Chairman Senate of Pakistan Maulana Abdul Ghafoor's convoy in Mastung Balochistan, the brutal killings of labours in Gwadar Balochistan, and the unprovoked shelling of Afghan police on Pakistan's census team in Chaman that killed an FC official among 10 people and several other injured. The council condemned the terrorists' incidents and expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives.
Later, a group of women councillors who claimed to be the members of MQM and loyalists of self-exiled party chief Altaf Hussain staged protest against missing of one of their fellow councillors since May 8. Taking to media persons at the old KMC building soon after the session, councillor Rehana Nasreen alleged that the Sindh Rangers had picked up Muhammad Farooq Chairman UC-23 Korangi from outside his mother's house in Gulistan-e-Johar on May 8 and since that he is going missing. "I moved a resolution in the council floor in a bid to bring this 'sensitive' matter to the knowledge of members, but the Deputy Mayor paid no heed to it" Rehana Nasreen deplored. "Farooq had conveyed Waseem Akhtar a congratulation message from Altaf Hussain on his median appearance in the council session after being released from the central Jail," this might led to his arrest' another councillor comprehended.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017