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KMC to provide assistance in establishing press club in Shafi Colony
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BoR, other institutions’ support sought to provide lease of plots to journalists
KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar on Thursday said that the elected local government leadership supports the journalist community.
He said this while talking to journalists on a visit of the Sahafi Colony at Hawks Bay in the metropolis.
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) will provide help for setting up of a press club in the Sahafi Colony at Hawks Bay whereas Board of Revenue (BoR) and other concerned institutions will be contacted for the provision of lease of plots and other facilities.
Lyari Development Authority (LDA) Chief Executive Agha Nafees, KMC Media Management Director Ali Hassan Sajid, Karachi Press Club (KPC) President Ahmed Khan Malik, Vice President Minhaj-ur-Rab, General Secretary Maqsood Ahmed Yousufi, Joint Secretary Naimat Khan, Treasurer Moosa Kalim, former secretary Khursheed Abbasi and other senior journalists were also present on this occasion.
In a briefing about the project, Karachi mayor was informed that plots of 270 acres in Sahafi Colony were allotted 22 years ago for which journalist and the government had to pay 20 and 80 percent of the cost of the land respectively.
In the initial phase, the development work amounting to only Rs10 crores was done, however, the journalists were unable to construct their houses on it due to the lack of basic infrastructure at the site. The Rs22 billion 22 crores PC-I was also not implemented so far.
Akhtar said lying of basic infrastructure including construction of roads and installation of water and sewerage lines is essential for the Sahafi Colony.
He appreciated the services and efforts of journalist community in the restoration of democracy and said that the press club has been the only place where the deprived and suppressed class can raise its voice. He said whatever help and cooperation are required from KMC will be provided to the journalist community.
He said that he, along with the office bearers and governing body members of the KPC, will hold a meeting next week with the authorities of BoR and LDA to set up a strategy for solving the problems.
