KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah declaring rain emergency all over Sindh has directed district administration and local bodies to be active in their respective areas, cancel leaves/holidays of their staff members and pump out water accumulated on the roads and low-lying area on emergency basis. The chief minister said that it was the first monsoon ever since the newly elected representatives have taken over local bodies. “This is your first test and I am sure you would prove it to be effective and efficient in solving public problems, particularly during the on-going rainy season. He directed divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners to extend their all-out support to the local bodies in discharging their work. “I would ask you to be with them in shoulder to shoulder in keeping their areas neat and clean and also coordinate with power companies of your respective areas to keep smooth power supply,” he said. He directed Karachi administration and local bodies to be active in serving the people. “The DMCs must cleanse the small nalas of their jurisdiction and activate their concerned staff in pumping out rain water accumulated on the roads and in low-lying areas,” he said and added that he was sure that the local bodies workers would remain active on the roads. The chief minister urged K-Electric to mobilise their workers to fix tripping of their feeders, if happen anywhere, and keep smooth power supply in the city. He also hoped that the K-E would have taken necessary arrangements to avoid tripping at the pumping stations of the water board. He urged the citizen of the province to lodge their complaints, if any at his complaint cell working in the CM House on landlines, 021-9920756, 9920739 and 9920208-81(Ext 919). He urged Karachiites to enjoy the down pour and take care of their near & dear ones. “I am sure this change of weather would break the heatwave, improve overall health conditions in the city,” he said. He also directed irrigation department to cancel the holidays of their staff members and keep vigilance on the embankments of canals. Published in Daily Times, June 29th, 2017.