KARACHI: Taking notice of media reports after mounting criticism of the gaping gutters and potholes in the metropolis, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has ordered local administration to take immediate action in order to improve the state of Karachi roads, his spokesman said Wednesday.

"Is sealing gutters also my job?" an infuriated Shah asked his administration after a group of Karachi citizens took the unconventional approach of painting the chief minister's face near gutters and piles of heap on major roads of the city in a bid to attract his attention.

Sources in the provincial government said the Sindh CM lambasted the secretary of local government as well as Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) officials for the poor state of Karachi roads.

Know more: These Karachiites have a message for Sindh chief minister

The chief minister ordered the local administration to cover all manholes in the city within two days "or face strict action", they said.

He expressed displeasure that despite getting extra funds besides the budget, KMC had not been able to maintain roads.

Shah warned that a Chief Minister's Inspection Team will tour roads in Karachi after two days for inspection, and will submit to a him a report on the action taken by local authorities to level roads.

CM Sindh took action after some Karachi citizens painted his face next to uncovered gutters. —Photo courtesy: Facebook
CM Sindh took action after some Karachi citizens painted his face next to uncovered gutters. —Photo courtesy: Facebook

As part of the Ideas are Bulletproof campaign, a group of Karachi citizens this past week spray-painted the portrait of Sindh CM on major roads of the metropolis, which invoke the ire of thousands everyday due to their derelict condition.

With the chief minister's face drawn next to gaping potholes, ditches and heaps of piles on the side of Karachi's much-travelled University Road, the aim of the project was to attract the authorities attention towards the issues that affect the common man in the city, Alamgir Khan, who led the campaign, earlier told Dawn.com.

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...