JI Karachi chief calls on Sindh Caretaker CM

KARACHI: Sindh Interim Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar has assured Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman that measures are being taken to strengthen the local government (LG) system, whereas directions have been issued to the K-Electric to put their house in order and bring reforms in the distribution mechanism.

A JI Karachi delegation, led by Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, called on the interim chief minister at the Sindh Chief Minister House on Tuesday.

The interim chief minister, according to a handout by the chief minister house, said necessary measures are being taken across the province to strengthen the local government (LG) institutions so as the institutions could serve the masses. He added that the activation of local government setup would directly result in devolution of powers to the grassroot level.

The chief minister expressed these views in response to the JI’s complain against keeping the local government (LG) in Karachi deprived of powers despite the fact that the so-called interim period has already expired, it read.

Hafiz Naeem also took up the issue of the KE and said that the private company not only failed to increase its capacity and inject funds as per the agreement but also indulge in criminal activities, including facilitation for the hook system under an organized contractual system in several areas, including Surjani Town.

He mentioned that a JI councillor in Surjani Town has been gunned down for his activeism against the hook mafia in the area.

In response, the interim chief minister asked the JI to submit all the issues pertaining to the functions of the KE and the caretaker CM would send the complaints along with his directions on them to the KE.

Following the meeting, the JI leader held a media talk outside the Chief Minister House and shared the details of the meeting with the media.

On the occasion, he revealed that the hook system is being run on some 30 PMTs in Surjani Town alone. Instead of investment in the infrastructure, the KE sourced out the distribution and recovery in several areas to private contractors, he said.

He expressed his hope that the interim chief minister would take up the issue of the KE.

The JI leader also said that he took up the matter of free and fair elections and transparency in this regard.

The two sides also discussed the issues pertaining to the appointment of unbiased officials, road network, infrastructure in the city and other civic issues.