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Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
City needs Rs100b development grant
The economic powerhouse of the country needs a Rs100 development grant in the new budget, Mayor Murtaza Wahab said Tuesday. He urged MQM-Pakistan and representatives from various parties to play their role in ensuring Karachi gets its fair share in parliament. City Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that all elected representatives remained present on the ground during Eidul Azha. He applauded the sanitary staff and everyone involved in remarkable work in extreme heat over all three days. A total of 146,801 tons of offal and garbage was transported to the three landfill sites - Jam Chakro, Gond Pass, and Sharafi Goth GTS. He was speaking at a presser at the KMC head office where he was flanked by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, MD Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Tariq Nizamani, Deputy Parliamentary Leader of the City Council Dil Muhammad, and others. He shared that 96 collection points were set up across all 25 towns and 7 districts of the city. Citizens were provided with a 24-hour helpline (1128), through which 3,699 complaints were received, out of which 97.4% were addressed. He stressed that he personally toured the city to monitor the situation and take action regardless of any criticism, stating that there is no other example in the world of such a large amount of waste being removed in just three days. With the budget approaching, he reiterated that Karachi deserves its due share, and while everyone talks about empowering local governments, actual support for Karachi is needed. He urged MQM-Pakistan and representatives from various parties to play their role in ensuring Karachi gets its fair share in parliament. He demanded that the upcoming budget allocate Rs100billion as a development grant for Karachi, the commercial and financial hub of the country. The mayor said he has no objection if the federal and provincial governments appoint representatives to monitor the process. He invited Jamaat-e-Islami's Karachi chapter Ameer Munim Zafar and Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal to sit together and work for the city instead of indulging in criticism. "Work is happening in Karachi, but we are too busy pulling each other down. Please stop portraying the city in a negative light; this will not serve Karachi," he urged. Mayor Wahab said that politics of discord must end if meaningful progress is to be achieved. "This time, there was no stench - only prejudice," he said. "Previously, there was China-cutting, now there is road cutting." He said that Karachi's water sources lay over 125 kilometres away, and all he seeks is the rightful share for Karachiites. "We have passed the ball into the federal government's court," he said, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take action. "If he does, we will hold a joint press conference." He expressed hope that Mustafa Kamal would present Karachi's case in the cabinet meeting and have it approved, and that the PPP would also support the issue in the National Assembly. He mentioned that action was taken against the "tallow mafia" in coordination with the Karachi Police Chief, leading to 144 FIRs and the arrest of 348 individuals. "Karachi is a vast city. When something bad happens, the mayor is blamed; when something good happens, others take credit." Many people jump into the unregulated business of making tallow from the fat of sacrificial animals. If prepared under hygienic conditions, beef tallow can be used in cooking. However, scrupulous elements make edible oil from animal fat in extremely unhygienic conditions posing health risks for the consumers. Mayor Wahab stated that tenders have been floated for drain cleaning in all seven districts, and that funding for the work comes from the provincial government. Small-scale winching operations are needed, and the Cantonment Board used GTS facilities for their work.
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Eid prep reviewed
A meeting was held at the office of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) with Mayor Murtaza Wahab in the chair to discuss arrangements made for Eidul Azha. The mayor said that arrangements have been finalised to collect animal waste on time to provide clean environment to the citizens. The meeting was attended by MD SSWMB Tariq Ali Nizamani, town chairmen, relevant officials, and representatives of private sanitation companies. The mayor said that excavation work is underway for seven trenches to bury animal waste, and approximately 100 collection points are being set up in all seven districts. Over 8,000 sanitary workers and additional staff will be deployed to collect waste from homes and areas. He further said that this year, SSWMB will provide bags for animal offal. The mayor directed town chairmen to ensure public facilities in their areas during Eid days, so that citizens don't face any issues. He also instructed staff to ensure timely collection of waste and offal, lime sprinkling, and spraying at collection points and other locations.
Express Tribune
03-03-2025
- Express Tribune
Police bust dirty business of illegal garbage collection
Seven members of a gang involved in illegal garbage collection business have been arrested in raids conducted within the limits of Zaman Town Police Station, Korangi Zone Police Station and Awami Colony Police Station in the Korangi area. The gang, run by illegal immigrants, had allegedly scared off the official waste collectors and started lifting garbage door-to-door against payment. They would separate plastic, metal and organic waste and sell it respectively to the recycling factories to make a handsome income. The rest was dumped in drains or burnt. Police conducted the raids on the request of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) Managing Director Tariq Ali Nizamani. The operation was carried out by local police based on information provided by SSWMB officials and company representatives. The group had devised a mechanism to disrupt waste management operations. The gang members would prevent SSWMB personnel from carrying out their duties, affecting the door-to-door garbage collection process. They would collect waste from households and dustbins placed by the SSWMB in various areas, sell the valuable waste, and dispose of the remaining garbage in open spaces or drains, Nallah, leading to sanitation and clogging issues in the city. Under the supervision of Deputy Director District Korangi, Imtiaz Bhutto, Afghan nationals involved in waste collection were also arrested. The SSWMB MD requested police to take further action against such groups engaged in illegally collecting waste from homes, spreading and burning garbage, and running unauthorised waste businesses. SSWMB MD instructed the officers concerned to identify more such groups and take legal action against them by filing cases. He said that strict measures would be taken against those responsible for environmental pollution, and legal proceedings would be initiated against them.
Express Tribune
08-02-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Sindh bans daytime entry of dumpers in Karachi
Listen to article The Sindh government has imposed a ban on dumpers entering Karachi during daytime in response to the rising number of traffic accidents in the city. Under the new restriction, dumpers will be allowed entry only between 11 PM and 6 AM, officials announced. The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah on the directives of Chief Minister Sindh. The meeting was attended by Karachi Commissioner, Additional IG Karachi, Secretary Transport, DIG Traffic, and other senior officials. Authorities have also ordered the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) to shift its operations to nighttime within three months to reduce congestion and accidents. Additionally, a physical verification process for all heavy vehicles and their drivers operating in the city will be launched. Officials also decided that all commercial vehicles must obtain a certified QR code from the transport department for identification. The Sindh Chief Secretary directed the Water Board to regulate its water tanker operations and instructed motorcyclists to wear helmets. He also ordered traffic police to intensify enforcement of traffic laws. To raise public awareness, the Sindh Information Department has been tasked with launching a media campaign on traffic regulations. Authorities have also decided to increase fines by four times for traffic violations and take stricter action against reckless driving, including registering FIRs against offenders. The Sindh government also approved the launch of the Vehicle Inspection and Certification System (VICS) across the province. The transport department has been ordered to begin implementation to ensure roadworthy vehicles are on the streets. During the briefing, traffic police officials revealed that 65% of vehicles in Karachi are motorcycles, and 55% of accidents involve motorcyclists. Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah noted that the primary cause of traffic accidents is the lack of enforcement of heavy vehicle regulations. He instructed DIG Traffic to improve Karachi's traffic conditions within one month and ensure strict implementation of traffic laws.
Express Tribune
27-01-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
SSWMB vows support for cleanliness drive
KARACHI: Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) MD Tariq Ali Nizamani has pledged full support to the SITE Association of Industry in efforts to keep the SITE area clean and green. Speaking to SAI members during a recent visit, Nizamani highlighted his six-year experience with SSWMB in various roles, which has given him insight into the waste management challenges faced by industries in the SITE area. He also announced plans to extend waste-lifting agreements to other industrial zones. The Sindh Solid Waste Management Act, enacted in 2014 and gradually implemented from 2016, addresses Karachi's daily solid waste generation of approximately 14,000 tonnes. Keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter, the Lahore High Court directed all organisations to hold awareness sessions.
