Mayor says he will lead doctors' protest

Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar on Monday said that local bodies representatives could play a vital role in the current circumstances and become the chief minister's team, but the Centre and Sindh are neglecting the third tier of government.
Speaking to media after inaugurating a fumigation campaign which would cover the area from the Shaheen Complex to the Merewether Tower, he said that the local government representatives were well aware of local issues and fruitful results could be achieved through their help.
"It is a difficult time, and joint efforts are needed to overcome the current situation by keeping political differences aside," said Akhtar. Akhtar also announced holding of protest demonstrations along with doctors and paramedical staff if the provincial government didn't release funds for their increased salary.
He said that the Sindh government had announced 15 per cent increment to the salaries of doctors and paramedics, but the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) could not pay as the provincial government didn't release the funds for that.
"I will be leading the protest if the funds are not released by the Sindh government," he added."We understand that this is a difficult time for the government too owing to the coronavirus. We have written many letters to the Sindh government but to no avail," said the mayor.
He was of the view that the KMC and all the district municipal corporations (DMCs) are functional and serving the people despite limited resources. The doctors and paramedics at hospital under administrative control of the KMC are performing at the frontline and they should be paid at the earliest.
Keeping in view the coronavirus pandemic, fumigation drive is being conducted at main roads, food streets as well as at the UC level. "Today we have sprayed from Shaheen Complex to Tower whereas Water Pump to Sohrab Goth would be covered on Tuesday," he added.
He said that the purpose of fumigation is to stop spread of novel coronavirus and provide people with a healthy environment. The mayor said that fire tenders and 40 Suzukis were taking part in the drive.
Besides, he said that ration distribution has begun from the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation, but they are not making a publicity of it nor taking selfies. "The KKF has received rations and funds from philanthropists, and the same is being disbursed to the needy people," he said.