KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar said all-out support and cooperation will be provided for any plan and implementation of uplift projects of Karachi.
The elected representatives including district chairmen are working for solution of megacity’s problems despite fund crunch. City’s infrastructure must be saved from further deterioration, he said while talking to a delegation of World Bank led by senior financial sector specialist Namoos Zaheer that called on him in his office to discuss the World Bank mission’s plan for developing Karachi’s urban infrastructure.
Mayor on this occasion nominated Municipal Commissioner Dr. Syed Saif-ur-Rehman as focal person for coordination with the World Bank Mission regarding the development plan for Karachi.
He said land ownership in Karachi was with different organizations like cantonment boards; KPT, Pakistan Railway and KMC control 43 percent of the city land. He said in order to save the government land from encroachments, it is essential to use this land for projects which could provide maximum benefit and facilities to people of the megacity.
The members of delegation informed Mayor that Karachi has priority in the development plan of World Bank for the region. An estimated 10 billion dollars will be required in next ten years for bringing improvement in Karachi’s infrastructure, water and sanitation and transport system.
Mayor welcomed the World Bank’s development plan and assured them all possible cooperation in this connection.