KARACHI: Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal Wednesday announced the establishment of a special fund for the rehabilitation of businessmen and traders affected by acts of arson at M A Jinnah road.

He appealed that in order to compensate the losses of affectees, 50 per cent of the fund be provided by the federal and provincial governments while they should be given 50 per cent interest-free loans so that they are rehabilitated to their original position.

Addressing a press conference at Civic Center, Mustafa Kamal said the fund is being setup on the directive of MQM chief Altaf Hussain with Account No 31618-0 at Habib Bank KMC Branch.

On the occasion he fervently appealed to philanthropists and citizens to contribute to the fund so that rehabilitation work of affectees could be started without any delay.

He said this amount will reach the affectees through the representatives of chambers of commerce while consultations will also be held with business associations.

To a question, Mustafa Kamal said it is difficult to assess the extent of losses caused by the fire; however, he said the city government had started a survey.—APP

Karachi Circular Railway

KARACHI: Work on the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway is expected to start in 2010 and the service is likely to be available for public within the next three years.

On completion of the project, an international operator of repute will be appointed for operation and maintenance of the KCR on the pattern of successful role model of Singapore Mass Rail Transit, according to the KCR project director.

He said that the revised cost of the project according to the final study report – special assistance for project formation, which was sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and received in April 2009 was $1558.8 million. The previous estimate was around $872.316 million.


The project director said that the increase in cost was because of the modifications brought in the project study to offer better transport facilities to people.

The KCR route length, according to the study, will be 43.12 kilometres which would include an elevated track of 22.49km, a track of four kilometres in tunnel and 16.63km track on ground.

It will have 27 stations – 14 on ground, 11 elevated and two in tunnels – in the city. The revival plan of KCR was approved by ECNEC last week.

Under the project, he said, 290 trains would be run daily at an interval of six minutes, with a capacity of carrying between 942 and 1,391 passengers per train. This way 0.69 million passengers would commute by the trains on a daily basis, he added.

The stations will be provided with computerised ticketing, automated ticket gates, vending machines and elevators.

The entire KCR will be provided with electric traction infrastructure and modernized signalling and telecommunication system.

The project director said that numerous studies were arranged and conducted in order to plan an effective public transportation system in the city, but no project could be implemented for a variety of reasons, including insufficient funds.

According to him, the government has decided to revive the KCR in two phases as modern commuter system for citizens.

It was decided that the Karachi Urban Transport Corporation (KUTC) would be formed with the Ministry of Railways, Government of Sindh and City District Government Karachi as shareholders on the basis of their equity.

In October 2005, the Japan External Trade Organisation working under the aegis of the government of Japan carried out a feasibility study of the KCR in close coordination with the Pakistan Railways, government of Sindh, CDGK and other agencies/institutions.


The final report (March 2006) recommended the revival of KCR as a viable project for mitigating the commuter problems of citizens.

He said that the KUTC was incorporated on May 8, 2008, in the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) as a public limited (not listed) with nine directors on board four from Pakistan Railways, two from the government of Sindh, two from the city district government of Karachi and one director from the private sector. Its authorized capital was Rs10 billion.

He said that the KUTC would be the vehicle for the implementation of KCR project and would oversee the management of KCR.

The circular railway was constructed and opened for traffic in two phases in 1964 and 1970. It originated from Drigh Road Station on the main line and after crossing Sharea Faisal passed through populated areas of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, SITE, Baldia, Lyari, Kharadar and finally arrived at the Karachi City Station.

However, due to lack of investment in the infrastructure, its operational efficiency was marginalized. The number of trains reduced, causing an increase in running time and a reduction in number of passengers. Eventually, the KCR was closed for passenger traffic in December 1999. —APP
(Source: Daily Dawn, Karachi 28 December 2009)

‘Good Name in Man and Woman...’

By Ardeshir Cowasjee
Earlier this month, no less a man than the chief justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Chaudhry, who so ably led the bench hearing the constitutional petitions challenging the NRO, rendered praise unto Karachi’s city nazim, Mustafa Kamal. In a news item in the national press on Dec 2 (‘SC seeks report on tree-felling in Lahore’):

‘The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a detailed report till Dec 21 on cutting of trees due to extension of the Canal View Road Project in Lahore from the provincial environment secretary and the director general.

‘A three-member SC bench, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice Tariq Parvez, was hearing a suo motu case initiated against the cutting of trees.’ The project costing Rs3bn involved the felling of 1,844 trees along 14 kilometres of the canal bank. The news item ended:

‘The chief justice then observed that the government in London did not go for expansion of its roads merely to preserve its heritage. ‘How such a project of huge cost is in favour of the country in the current economic situation,’ the chief justice said. ‘See Karachi, how a young nazim has excellently worked,’ the chief justice said, adding the authorities of Lahore should go to Karachi to see his excellent work. Lamenting the strategy of cutting trees for expansion of roads, Imrana Tiwana said instead of making transport system efficient, trees are being sacrificed to expand the roads. The court adjourned the hearing for Dec 21.’

To revert to 2008 and a news item of July 4 (‘Mustafa Kamal launches Green Karachi project’):

‘After chopping down thousands of trees in the city in the past couple of years, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday announced that his administration would plant several hundred thousand trees by the end of the year.’ Mustafa appealed to Karachi’s citizens for help and he ‘said that despite these initiatives the tree-planting campaign needed active participation from common citizens as they have the responsibility of protection and preservation of this natural asset.

‘He said that the cutting of trees had been completely banned in the city and anyone who would be seen cutting a tree would be arrested.’

That was then. On Dec 14, 2009, Shehri , our environmental NGO, had to address a letter to Nazim Kamal under the heading ‘Cutting of trees on Sharea Faisal’. It read: ‘We learn that certain departments of the city government are planning to cut trees on the green belts at the sides of Sharea Faisal between FTC and Karsaz Road. Perhaps they are not aware of the following facts:

‘(a) On July 3, 2008, as was widely reported in the press the next day, you promised the citizens of Karachi a Green Karachi, promised to plant over 100, 000 trees, and placed a ban on the cutting of trees in the city stating that anyone who cut trees in Karachi would be arrested. (b) Earlier this month, the chief justice of Pakistan, while stopping the cutting of trees along the Canal Bank Road in Lahore … held you up as an example of a mayor who undertook projects whilst being mindful of the environment.

‘It would be a criminal act, especially during the days of the Copenhagen conference on climate change, to cut trees that actually absorb carbon dioxide and reduce the prospects of global warming. We request you to ensure that this philistine act is not carried out.’

A copy was forwarded to the chief justice of Pakistan who has the capacity to hear the cries of distressed trees, the cries of souls lost and not found, and of many others. So far the trees still stand.
(Excerpts from a column of Ardeshir Cowasjee published in the daily Dawn)

14 ENGLISH MEDIUM MODEL SCHOOLS

The City District Council on Saturday approved a resolution by majority vote to covert 14 schools of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) into model English medium schools.

he schools would teach standardized books from well known publishers to accord uniformity in syllabus.

Another resolution said that the employees of 18 towns and 178 union councils would be ensured uniformed medical facilities at CDGK hospitals.

The resolution passed in the Council said that 14 schools functioning under the Local Bodies Education Group of the CDGK would be selected as model English medium schools. A committee would be formed for every school and books published by M/s Gaba Publishers and Oxford University Press would be taught at these schools.

Another resolution said that a three-tier municipal system was functioning at the moment under the Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001 but due to some technicalities all the employees were not enjoying the same facilities thereby causing frustration amongst them. It said that if they were provided equal medical opportunities, their performance would become better and their problems would be solved.

Leader of the House, Asif Siddiqui, pointed out that the employees of 18 towns and 178 union councils should be allowed free healthcare at CDGK hospitals since they were suffering a lot due to uneven three-tier system that was causing ill feeling amongst them.

Siddiqui also said that the House should also send a strong message to the federal government on burgeoning sugar crisis by passing a unanimous resolution. He said that it should be unveiled that who was benefiting from sugar subsidy.

TRANSPORT MAFIA PARALYZED KARACHI

KARACHI : The Transport Ittehad Karachi which represents buses, mini buses, coaches, trucks, rickshaws, taxis, yellow cabs, Suzuki etc observing a strike in Karachi.

The Ittehad calls the strike in protest against the hiking price of fuel. Public transport including buses, wagons, coaches, rickshaw and taxis is not on the road. People along the roads and on bus stops are helpless, and hopelessly waiting for a bus or wagon to take them to their work places, schools, hospitals etc but their wait is in vain.

The strike badly affected daily life and the city’s main business centers remained crippled with no major commercial activities. Wholesale and retail traders say they lose more than a billion rupees on each day of business lost due to strikes.

Transporters mafia today once again hit the mega city of Karachi. Despite earning a paramount profit from the city this greedy mafia has never given even a small relief to the Karachiites. These transporters have ties with drug mafia and terrorists have no mercy at all for a civilized society because they belong to the tribal culture where power is god and every thing is right for a tribal lord.

Helpless citizens of Karachi are now looking at the City District Government for a civilized public transport system. CDGK already has its Green Buses (CNG Buses) plying successfully on two routes of Karachi. These buses provide a respectable journey to the commuters. People of Karachi are asking city mayor Mr. Mustafa Kamal to start service in other routes of the city.

Nazim Karachi Mustafa Kamal Visits Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi

Mufti Rafi Usmani, Muhtamim Dar-ul-Uloom appreciated the development works being carried out in Karachi under the Haq Parast City Nazim Mustafa Kamal. Nazim of Karachi Mustafa Kamal visiting the Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi. Mufti Rafi sahib said that the development works done under the City Nazim Mustafa Kamal are beyond comparison and set an example for other cities. Mufti sahib and Mufti Taqi Usmani appreciating the construction of recently built long bridge on Malir River commented that "گھنٹوں کا سفر منٹوں میں طے ہونے پر مصطفے کمال کے لئے دل سے دعا نکلتی ہے"

LAHORE TV ANCHORS APPRECIATE KARACHI CITY GOVERNMENT

See, How Well a Young Karachi Nazim Has Worked: CHIEF JUSTICE OF PAKISTAN

“See, how well a young Karachi Nazim has worked. Those responsible for the upkeep of Lahore should go to Karachi and see the brilliant work.” Chief Justice of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD : The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered the Punjab environment secretary and director general to submit a report on the cutting of trees for the extension of Canal Road in Lahore by December 21.

A three-member bench of the SC, consisting of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice Tariq Parvez, was hearing a suo motu case against the cutting of trees along the Canal.

“How such a project of huge cost is in favour of the country in the current economic situation,” the chief justice said. “See Karachi, how a young Nazim has excellently worked,” the chief justice said, adding the ‘authorities’ of Lahore should go to Karachi to see his excellent work. Lamenting the strategy of cutting trees for expansion of roads, Imrana Tiwana said instead of making transport system efficient, trees are being sacrificed to expand the roads. The court adjourned the hearing for December 21.
Source: NewsLineKarachi and Breaking News Karachi

Local Governments to Stay Even After 31 December, 2009- MUSATAFA KAMAL

LAHORE: Karachi city district nazim Mustafa Kamal says the incumbent local government system is not going to be wrapped up after Dec 31 as is being perceived by many.

Talking to media persons at the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Punjab office here on Wednesday, he said the local councils would stay even after Dec 31 though provinces would be empowered then to make certain amendments to the law governing the councils.

To a question about alleged extortion by the party in Karachi, he denied the allegation, arguing that had it been the case the MQM would not have taken roots in the areas having the highest literacy rate in the country.

MQM activists were barring party chief Altaf Husain from returning home, he said when asked as to why the exiled leader was not coming to Pakistan to directly lead the party.

‘How can we allow him to return when brother of a sitting prime minister is killed in a shootout with police and when a former premier is shot dead amid her thousands of activists?’

He denied a report that Husain had assets worth millions of pounds in London or anywhere else.

‘What he owned is a 120-yard house in Karachi that houses party headquarters.’ Kamal is here to attend a seminar arranged by the Lahore University of Management Sciences. (Source: daily Dawn, Karachi)

KARACHI CITY GOVT. PAID SPECIAL ATTENTION ON EDUCATION SECTOR. NAZIM KARACHI

Karachi Oct 10: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that Haq Parast City Government has paid special attention on education sector during last four years. Construction of 451 buildings has been completed with a cost of Rs9.5billion while 118 model schools were established in different parts of the city.

He expressed these views while talking to media representatives after inauguration of reconstructed school buildings of CDA Hill KDA Higher Secondary School Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Primary School at Haji Bux Ali Goth Union Council 11.

He said that these buildings have been reconstructed with a cost of Rs250million. However, despite of spending billions of rupees on such projects, government alone could not bring revolution in the education sector and for this it is imperative to raise the standard of education in our schools and colleges and to prepare the young generation for the challenges ahead. He said that this could only be achieved with the joint ventures of government and private sector.

Nazim Karachi said that in order to bring revolutionary changes in our educational system we have initiated several projects in collaboration with private sector and the training of teachers was also arranged which has given good results.

He said that the buildings of these two schools were in dilapidated condition and the city government has reconstructed them after demolishing the old structure. The children of this area would now have much better environment in these schools.
Nazim Karachi said that completion of these two projects is the continuation of city government’s model schools theory.

He said that we have also invited non government organizations (NGOs) to come and make joint ventures with city government so that we could bring a true revolution in our education sector.

Replying a question Nazim Karachi said that not only we have constructed the buildings of schools and other educational institutions but we have also arranged for their maintenance and preservation.

(Source:http://www.karachicity.gov.pk)

GOVERNOR ISTANBUL APPRECIATES RAPID PROGRESS IN KARACHI UNDER CITY NAZIM MUSTAFA KAMAL.

Karachi Oct 01: Governor of Istanbul Muammar Gualer has appreciated the excellent leadership abilities of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal. During a meeting at Governor House in Istanbul he said that he felt much pleasure on meeting with Nazim Karachi. He said that Syed Mustafa Kamal is doing such a wonderful work in Karachi and how he has transformed the city and made it an international phenomenon in a very short time. He said that Nazim Karachi is a young dynamic muslim leader.


Meanwhile the local government of Istanbul has assured all possible help and cooperation in the early completion of Karachi mega projects including Mass Transit System, Solid Waste Management and Sewerage Treatment Plant. Istanbul Local Government Administration has also approved the partnership with City District Government Karachi in these projects.


A representative delegation comprising municipal experts from Istanbul Local Government and City District Government Karachi will soon visit both cities to finalize the working relationship in various projects of Karachi.


The decision in this regard was made during two day visit of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on the invitation of Mayor of Istanbul Mr. Kadir Topbas.


City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal during this visit also attended an international mayor’s conference “Union of Turkish World Municipalities” in Istanbul where representatives from 18 countries of the world participated. Nazim Karachi was given a very high protocol on this occasion and was very well received everywhere he went.


Speaking at the conference, the Mayor of Istanbul told the audience about the great relationship between Turkey and Pakistan. He also said that Turkey was the first country to be present on ground after the earthquake in Pakistan.


Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kaml during this visit besides calling on Governor and Mayor of Istanbul also met with the mayors of seven other cities of Turkey and discussed with them various mega projects of Karachi such as Mass Transit System, BRT, Solid Waste Management System and Sewerage Treatment Plant. Governor and Mayor of Istanbul assured all possible help and cooperation in the early completion of mega projects in Karachi under partnership with CDGK.

TYRE KILLERS ON U-TURNS

Karachi. Sep 18: City District Government Karachi has started fixing of tyre killers on U turns to stop the motorists going wrong side of the road. These tyre killers will cut the tyres of vehicles trying to cross over them while going in wrong direction.

EDO Transport & Communication Iftikhar Qaimkhani during a visit to signal free corridors and other important roads of the city on Friday said that durable tyre killers were being fixed on u turns on the special directive of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal who had taken strict notice of the movement of traffic in wrong direction on signal free corridors especially on u turns.

He further said that the construction of these u turns on many roads of the city was aimed at providing convenience to motorists and citizens while traveling on long corridors but the facility is now being used wrongly which has created troubles to citizens.

He said that City Government was taking further measures to improve the transport system of the city on the directives of Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal and all decision in this regard will be implemented.

He also directed for re designing of Nipa Chowrangi so that traffic problems could be solved at this busy junction of the city. EDO T&C also issued instructions for marking of traffic signs at Corridor –III in a much better and visible way for guidance of motorists using this corridor.

Holbrooke Surprised

Development in Karachi: Holbrooke Surprised

The United States envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, has described the development works carried out in Karachi as ‘unbelievable.’ He said that the measures taken by City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal have surprised him.

He expressed these views after having a meeting with City Nazim at Governor House on Wednesday and later talking to media representatives after visiting a CDGK school in an underprivileged area near City Station in Saddar Town.
“I feel much pleasure on the development of Karachi; City Nazim’s measures are surprising,” he commented.

Richard Holbrooke said that the people of Karachi have benefited with these development works and this system should continue.

Holbrooke said that the steps taken for the promotion of trade and business in Karachi would further enhance commercial activities in this part of the world.
“It is a pleasure to meet students in this area of Karachi. When I asked them what they want to become after they grow up, some of them said they want to become doctor, engineer or want to join the Army. Listening to their aspirations has moved me very much.” He also thanked City Nazim for arranging this visit.

Holbrooke also met the business community representatives in Karachi.
“The Nazim has informed me about your problems and we will try to solve these problems, particularly energy crisis,” he said.

Holbrooke assured the traders of his full support for the solution of their problems.
On the occasion, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal thanked the US envoy for visiting Karachi and taking out some time to meet the children and businessmen in the city.

He said that the people of Karachi have immensely benefited due to the present local government system and they want this system to continue.
(Source NewslineKarachi)

Thousands of e-Card, Emails, SMS, Telephone calls on Birthday Celebration being received in London and Karachi

Nation Celebrates 56th Birthday of ALTAF HUSSAIN

TELEPHONIC ADDRESS OF ALTAF HUSSAIN

Big Rally at Nine Zer0

Details are coming

KARACHI CULTURAL FESTIVALS

The everyday lifestyle of Karachi differs substantially from that of other Pakistani towns. The culture of Karachi is characterized by the blending of Middle Eastern, Central Asian, South Asian and Western influences, as well as the status of the city as a major international business centre. As a whole, there is considerable diversity in culture, and this diversity has produced unique cultural amalgam of its own type. Karachi also hosts the largest middle class stratum of the country.

Karachi is home to some of Pakistan's important cultural institutions. The National Academy of Performing Arts, located in the newly renovated Hindu Gymkhana offers a two year diploma course in performing arts that include classical music and contemporary theatre.

The All Pakistan Music Conference, linked to the 45-year old similar institution in Lahore, has been holding its Annual Music Festival since its inception in 2004. The Festival is now a well-established feature of the city life of Karachi that is awaited anxiously and attended by more than 3000 citizens of Karachi as well as people from other cities.

The Karachi Arts Council (Koocha-e-Saqafat) also has musical performances and Mushaira (poetry recitations). The Kara Film Festival organized annually showcases independent Pakistani and international films and documentaries.

The everyday lifestyle of Karachi differs substantially from that of other cities and towns in Pakistan. Karachi's culture is characterized by the blending of Middle Eastern, Central Asian, South Asian and Western influences, as well as the city's status as a major international business center. As a whole, there is considerable diversity in culture, and this diversity has produced a unique cultural amalgam of its own type. Karachi also hosts the largest middle class stratum of the country.
Karachi is home to some of Pakistan's important cultural institutions. The National Academy of Performing Arts, located in the newly renovated Hindu Gymkhana offers a two-year diploma course in performing arts that includes classical music and contemporary theatre. The All Pakistan Music Conference, linked to the 45-year old similar institution in Lahore, has been holding its Annual Music Festival since its inception in 2004. The Festival is now a well-established feature of the city life of Karachi that is awaited anxiously and attended by more than 3000 citizens of Karachi as well as people from other cities.
The National Arts Council (Koocha-e-Saqafat) also has musical performances and Mushaira (poetry recitations). The Kara Film Festival organized annually showcases independent Pakistani and international films and documentaries. Our Karachi Festival celebrates Architecture of Karachi.