Uplift work slows down as uncertainty shrouds Karachi Nazim's election

Work on the ongoing development projects in Karachi has slowed down as uncertainty about next Nazim and Naib Nazim election has further intensified after the likelihood of a foreign-based nominee of Haq Parast group to be fielded for one of these two prize posts.
Adviser, local government Waseem Akhtar, Deputy Convener of MQM Farooq Sattar, and Incharge of Rabita Committee Anwar Alam are being considered as hot contestants for the top slot of Karachi City Nazim, but Suddenly Anwar Haider from the International Secretariat, London, has emerged as the fourth candidate for the post.
Though the final political decision has not been taken by MQM but to avoid any heart burning, sources believe, an outsider would be nominated for the position of Karachi City Nazim.
Till such a decision is taken, and a candidate is announced, project contractors have slowed down their road construction work and almost all the dug up roads are lying unattended.
City District Government Karachi sources said that for the last two months payments have been suspended and all sanctioning officials chose to raise minor objections on the claims so that time could be gained till the elections were over.
They said that now when the elections were over CDGK officers would wait till new City Nazim took over. "Payments are huge, and taking decision on payment would not be prudent at this time. One doesn't know who will come and with what temperament."
Construction/repairs of roads in Liaquatabad Town, Nazimabad Town, Lyari Town, Gulshan Town are some of the examples that could be quoted as "development work in sensitive areas," they said.
They said that the main road connecting Site industrial area with Rizvia Society would take some time to repair as this contract was awarded in haste by the outgoing Nazim to one of his favourites.
While the CDGK is busy with roadwork, PTCL has come up with a plan to lay new underground cables and has cut roads in many parts of the city.
The PTCL after cutting roads leaves it unattended and unrepaired.
In Nazimabad Block 4 roads have been cut after laying cables left unattended.
The contractor carrying out work said that his contract was limited to laying the cable and the repair work would be contracted out later to some other contractor. "I have to do the cutting of roads and laying the cable, and repair is not my responsibility. Someone else would do it."
Sources at the CDGK said that once the Nazim has been elected pace of work would go up.