The Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) collected 100,000 tonnes of garbage and animal entrails on three days of Eidul Azha.
The SSWMB established 99 collection points in various areas of the city to collect animal remains. Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that those who had taken an oath to serve the public were on the ground while critics continued to criticise. “We work and complete our tasks efficiently,” he said.
He added that daily 10,000 to 11,000 metric tons of garbage was collected from across the city, and within three days, 100,000 tons of animal remains and garbage were removed. “This was certainly a challenge, but we did not give up.”
According to a statement issued by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Wahab monitored the operations for the collection of offal in various parts of the city during the Eid days. KMC Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi, SSWMB Managing Director Imtiaz Shah and other officials accompanied him.
The mayor visited collection points in Sharfabad, Bahadurabad, Tariq Road, Dhoraji, Muhammad Ali Society and Naheed Store in District East, monitoring the disposal of offal. He said animal entrails were being collected from various areas of District East and transported from collection points to the landfill sites.
He also inspected work at the Liaquatabad collection points in District Central and mentioned that the situation regarding offal used to be poor in Liaquatabad in the past, but due to the presence of the municipal staff, it had improved significantly. Elected representatives of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), including Chairman Asadullah and Ubaid, also remained active throughout the three days to ensure proper disposal of offal.
After visiting the East and Central districts, the mayor went to District South to review the disposal arrangements. He said that with the cooperation of the public and municipal staff, cleanliness work continued throughout the three days of Eid and animal entrails were disposed of in a timely manner.
During the mayor’s visit to District West, JI UC Chairman Umeed Ali Qazi praised the town chairman and KMC staff noting that timely vehicles were provided by the KMC and the town administration to ensure offal disposal.
Wahab visited Mominabad Town in District West to review the disposal arrangements with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) UC Chairman Salahuddin who commended the KMC and town administration noting that this year's arrangements for Eidul Azha had been excellent.
The mayor stressed that opposition political parties were working together with him with their representatives active in all the 25 towns engaging in cleaning efforts. He noted that after disposing of remains over the three days of Eid, lime would be applied and fumigation conducted.
He acknowledged the efforts of the sanitary staff, who worked diligently even in the heat. The mayor also reviewed offal disposal operations in District Korangi, District Malir, and other areas, ensuring that the cleanliness process continued over the three days.
Wahab also met officers and staff of the Chinese company responsible for cleanliness during his visit to District Korangi and appreciated their performance. On the third day of Eid, he visited District Keamari and Lyari Town where MPA Asif Khan and Town Chairman Humayun Khan briefed him about the timely collection of animal remains.
They said they had addressed complaints promptly by sending staff to clean up offal. The mayor appreciated the efforts of the town chairman and MPA. He stated that instead of complaining about a lack of authority, they were committed to serving the public following the instructions of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. “This is our responsibility and we will fulfil it,” he said.