Karachi, November 15, 2023 – Brig. (R) Haris Nawaz, Sindh Caretaker Minister for Home & Prisons Department, announced on Tuesday that the Karachi Safe City Project is slated to become operational by January 2024, providing a significant boost to the city’s efforts to combat street crimes and enhance public safety.
During his visit to the SITE Association of Industry, Brig. (R) Haris Nawaz addressed the gathering, emphasizing the pivotal role the Safe City Project plays in realizing the vision of making Karachi a safer metropolis. He highlighted the positive impact of the expulsion of illegal immigrants on reducing the overall crime rate in the city.
The Minister underscored the importance of various initiatives aimed at economic development, including the Green Pakistan initiative and the exploration of mines and minerals. Brig. (R) Haris Nawaz expressed his commitment to transforming Karachi into a peaceful and business-friendly city, stating, “To make Karachi crime-free to the maximum extent is my aim.”
He acknowledged the concerns regarding the shortage of ‘Nafri’ in the SITE area and reassured that police personnel on special duties would be returned to join the force, addressing the issue. Additionally, the Minister took note of traffic congestion at Entry/Exit points of SITE, particularly at Nazimabad and Shershah, and issued instructions for prompt resolution within one week.
In response to the concerns raised by SITE Association members, Brig. (R) Haris Nawaz pledged full cooperation. He assured action against drug traffickers in the SITE area and announced plans to hold a joint meeting of concerned Deputy Commissioners and SSPs, responding to the suggestion made by Jawed Bilwani.
During the meeting, SITE President Muhammad Kamran Arbi provided a brief introduction to the SITE area, addressing issues related to the SITE Association Fire Station. He requested sufficient staff and trained firefighters to operate the fire station 24/7.
Chief Coordinator Saleem Parekh highlighted the need for a system of check and balance, urging its wide publicity to ensure policy continuity. Patron-in-Chief Zubair Motiwala drew attention to challenges in the business atmosphere, specifically citing power and gas tariff issues, emphasizing their impact on employment and potential repercussions on street crimes.
Former President & Chairman of Law & Order sub-committee Abdul Hadi discussed law and order issues in the area, including crime rate increases, non-functioning security cameras, and the availability of drugs. Suggestions were also made by former President Jawed Bilwani, focusing on the implementation of a system for automatic FIR lodging through digital means and punishment for heavy vehicle parking on main roads.
As a gesture of goodwill, the Association’s crest was presented to Brig. (R) Haris Nawaz. The meeting concluded with Vice President Muhammad Farhan Ashrafi proposing a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude for the Minister’s time and attention to the concerns raised by the SITE Association of Industry.
