Karachi preps for New Year’s celebrations

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KARACHI: Karachi is all set to welcome the New Year as the containers placed in and around the city’s Defence locality have been removed for the residents’ ease as per the direction of Sindh Home Minster Sohail Anwar Siyal and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

However, Siyal urged residents of the city to hold the New Year celebrations in a deliberate way to avoid traffic congestion as this year all recreational points of the metropolis including Sea View will be opened for the public.

The announcement was made after the home minister visited different areas of the city late Saturday night to review security measures for New Year’s Eve.

He noted that his visit comes on the back of citizens’ complaints about difficulties they are facing after containers were allegedly placed on the roads.

As is the case every year, the majority of roads surrounding Sea View Beach in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) are blocked with containers to minimise the crowd at the beach.

Siyal visited various areas near the metropolis’ Defence and Clifton locales, including Sea View, after which he made the announcement to remove all containers in the city.

“No containers will be placed on the roads before New Year’s Eve,” he said while speaking to the media, adding that none of the roads will be blocked with or without the use of containers.

However, the minister directed the police to put into effect Section 144 upon those indulging in aerial firing or one-wheeling, as well on those who ride motorcycles without silencers.

The minister added that being a Muslim he will not be celebrating New Year but will ensure that residents, who do wish to celebrate, are provided adequate facilities. He further added that he will personally visit different areas of the city, especially Sea View, to monitor the situation.

Later, on Sunday morning, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited different areas of the city including the under-construction road outside the Cant Railway Station, underpass near Numaish Chowrangi, Tipu Sultan Road from Sharea Faisal to Karsaz, and Shaheed-e-Millat Road to monitor the ongoing development projects.

During his visit, Shah directed the South DIG to ensure no containers block access to Sea View Beach. “The citizens of Karachi are responsible and will not create problems,” he asserted.

He advised citizens to celebrate the New Year night, but desist from creating any trouble for themselves and others.

Shah also said that the residents of Karachi will have to face hardships for three to four more months because of ongoing development projects in the city.

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