960423

Fahim changes

mind on KMC

decentralization

WIRASAT HUSSNAIN

KARACHI: Fahim Zaman Khan, Administrator, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, has finally surrendered to the desire of the Sindh Government and expressed his willingness to reconcile with the decentralization of the KMC and creation of district municipal corporations in Karachi division.

His close associates, though extremely cautious in offering any comment on the prevailing confusion, which has adversely affected the functioning of the civic body, confided on Tuesday that the "dust will settle down soon."

They confirmed the news that Fahim had resigned from the office after protesting over the proposed decentralization of the KMC and excessive interference of officials in its affairs.

Sources said that Fahim had been accused of neglecting all such development works in the city in which the Prime Minister did not show any interest. This had even annoyed the members of the advisory council of the KMC who could hardly get access to Fahim and ask him even for the approval of minor development scheme in their areas.

Confirming this situation, a senior officer said that except a few roads in posh localities, the entire road network in the city was in bad shape and the coming rainy season would wash away the rest of it.

A source said that he was working in the engineering department of the KMC for the last many years but it was for the first time that he had to serve an administration which went by political considerations in according priority to development works.

He said that the condition of most of the roads in the Districts East, Central, West, and partly South had deteriorated beyond economical repair. "There is neither shortage of funds nor lack of support from the committee which approves road repair and construction work, but indifference towards the need of the population in these areas and political considerations have dragged the situation to this deplorable condition, "he added.

A visit to the KMC offices in the afternoon showed that senior officers were mostly reported to have gone to offer their prayers, whereas their minions expressed their inability to say any thing about the thin attendance in their sections. The overall mood was that of a paid holiday in the KMC offices.

Excepting a few selected journalists, Fahim Zaman is not available on phone to others.