Jan 9, 2006

Fruit of Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan's day and night endeavours - a review

ARTICLE (January 09 2006): Normalcy in daily life, reactivation of hassle and bustle, restoration of night-long awakening in a city which is the hub of economic, cultural, political activity and the seventh mega city of the world.

Day in and day out efforts in establishing peace and order at occasions like Eids, Rabi-ul-Awwal, Moharram-ul-Haram, personal visits at places of worship, Bazaars, on the ways of processions in order to improve the situation.

Various measures to eliminate urban and rural discrimination and mitigate poverty.

Endeavour to create job opportunities by promoting agriculture, irrigation and industrial activities.

Anti-extortion ordinance being the first order of Dr Ishrat-Ul-Ebad Khan.

Provided relief to 32 thousand allottees through restoration of New Malir Housing Project, Rehabilitation of Hawks Bay, Surjani, Taiser Town, Gulzar-e-Hijri (Scheme-33).

Beautification of coastal line, establishment of unique and spectacular Beach Park, speedy work on Bagh-e-Ibne-Qasim and Kothari Parade, detailed visit to de-rated parks and practical plan to activate them.

Various measures to make traffic and transport system a source to provide relief to the people, Mass transit and rerouting of public transport in more ways than one for hospitals.

Whole-hearted attention on sports, culture, journalism and literature, enhancement in grant of Province Press Clubs and Karachi Arts Council, efforts to restore Koocha-e-Saqafat, Pak-India and Pakistan-England cricket matches, SAFF Football Championship, theatre and film.

Issuance of Endowment Fund for heroes in various disciplines and fields, permanent planning for providing necessities of life, health care and education of children.

Practical measures and framing of constitution against the centuries-old abused traditions like Karo Kari.

Special plans for Automobile city, Sports city, Film & Media city, Education city, Shifting of spare parts, Timber Market, Iron Market and truck stand outside the city from busy urban areas, a comprehensive plan for two new Sabzi Mandis (vegetable markets)

Medico-legal reforms for the first time after 57 years, regularisation of blood transfusion system, establishment of "Hospital Management Boards" in educational hospitals for the relief of common man, rehabilitation of polio hospitals.

Personal visits, meetings with public and spontaneous notice of news published in the newspapers. Children Hospital, North Karachi, Mono-technic School, Allama Shabbir Usmani Road, Five Star Chowrangi and Nagan Chowrangi activated through regular visits.

Through eight hour long surprise visits of the city with regular intervals, meeting with the people without any protocol, awareness with the existing situation, providing relief to the people right on the spot and opening doors of Governor House to the common people, Dr Ishrat-Ul-Ebad has given a new dimension to his office. Regular contacts with a cross-section of people without discrimination, launching of Governor's website.

Unremitting efforts for restoration of economy and promotion of industry, regularity in contacts with traders and industrialist community, efforts to bring cost of doing business at par with other areas of the region, extending help in solving problems towards the supply of water, electricity and gas, special measures to restore industrial infrastructure.

Establishment of Dow Medical University, establishment of University of East in private sector for the students of Latifabad (Hyderabad), huge projects worth billions of rupees in universities of public sector on research, teaching and development, laboratories, etc, reforms in Education Boards.

Restoration of peace in education, enforcement of code of ethics, formation of a system to ensure attendance of teachers and students in higher academic institutions.

Elimination of encroachments, and measures towards restoration of zones pending since many years for cottage industry in Landhi, Orangi and Baldia.

Continuous monitoring of development works relating to Karachi and Hyderabad Packages.

Personal visits on sites, and assessment of progress on projects like flyovers, under passes, widening of roads, Lyari Express Way, Northern Bypass etc, and accelerate the pace of work.

Elimination of 'No Go' areas from various regions of Karachi and the Province including elimination of decades-old dens of dacoits from Shah Bello, action against hubs of gambling, Satta (betting) and drugs while practical measures were taken to abolish underworld networks.

Comprehensive measures to console the families whose members were lost during the decade of nineties.

Religious harmony, contacts with Ulemas and visits to mosques and Madaris.

Only a few years back, investors were thinking of shifting their business from the City. Today, every second industry in Karachi is striving to expand its business. The number of active industries in Nooriabad increased from 5 to 61 while marked increase has been registered in industrial activities of Kotri, Thatta and Badin. All five star hotels in Karachi are now packed to capacity and the investors are planning to establish more five star hotels in addition to extending the existing ones.