KARACHI: Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar handed over eight snorkels, purchased for Rs 1.35 billion, to municipal corporations of Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas and Larkana.

Snorkel distribution ceremony was hosted by Minister Local Govt Mubin Jumani at Water Board office. Minister Information Ahmad Shah, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Secretary Local Government Manzoor Shaikh, Mayor Hyderabad Kashif Shoro, CEO Water Board Salahuddin, CEO Water Board Asadullah Khan and officers and mayors attended event.

Interim CM handed over three snorkels to KMC and each one to Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and Larkana. He highlighted grave issue related to high-rise buildings in Karachi. He pointed out that many of these buildings lack proper firefighting systems, equipment and fire exits. In event of fire, residents living on higher floors are at great risk of getting trapped, which can lead to loss of both life and property.

Justice Baqar emphasised importance of having proper firefighting mechanism in place. To achieve this, Sindh government has already ordered fire safety audit of buildings. Aim is to identify any defects in buildings and ensure that builders rectify them to ensure safety of residents and occupants.

He stated that it is shared responsibility of government and civic agencies to ensure that there are adequate firefighting machines to handle fire incidents. As a result, government has been investing in buying fire trucks and snorkels for aerial firefighting.

Minister of Local Government Mubin Jumani directed all local bodies to develop their firefighting systems for protection of their people. Firefighting system will ultimately become part of Rescue 1122.

Secretary of Local Government Manzoor Shaikh stated that Sindh government originally ordered 15 snorkels but only eight could be procured due to dollar-rupee parity. Snorkels have arrived at KPT but are currently stuck there due to Customs duties. However, interm CM approved Rs 350 million to get snorkels released and they are now being handed over to mayors.

After launching Snorkels, Baqar visited Water Corporation’s control room. He ordered Corporation to regulate prices of water tankers, as there were reports of charging more than fixed prices.

Meanwhile, Maqbool Baqar stated that Centre for Autism Rehabilitation and Training (C-ARTS) serves as beacon of hope and progress for children with autism, not only in Sindh but throughout South Asia.

Speaking at ceremony organised by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) to inaugurate three more facilities at C-ARTS, Korangi.

Interim CM praised C-ARTS for its unique mission to provide free-of-cost services to autistic children, starting from initial stages of diagnosis to their employment.

Secretary DEPD Taha Farooqui briefed CM about work of his department in establishing educational, health and training centres for children with disabilities.

Caretaker Chief Minister in meeting over cup of tea interacted with leaders of 28 bar associations, listened to their issues and gave them grant of Rs 133.5 million. Caretaker Law Minister Omar Soomro, Information Minister Ahmad Shah, Special Assistant to CM Advocate Moiz Baig, Secretary Law Ali Ahmad Baloch and elected representatives of various high court and district bar associations attended.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 12 2024

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