COAS Bajwa pays visit to Karachi after devastating monsoon rains

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has reached Karachi directly from Saudi Arabia after performing Hajj, ARY News quoted the military’s media wing Tuesday.

COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa was flown over the city to oversee the impact of urban flooding due to a recent heavy spell of rains, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

COAS was briefed about the latest situation of flooding and the Pakistan Army’s complete support rendered to the civil administration in Karachi. He appreciated the timely response of formations in aid of civil administration for rescue and relief efforts.

He directed Corps Commander Karachi to ensure that all-out efforts and every single resource is utilised to bring comfort to the people, ISPR said in a statement. Earlier on his arrival, the army chief was received by Corps Commander Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed.

COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s dash to Karachi to take stock of destruction rain had caused in Karachi shows empathy. Of course visit will remind military authorities their preparations for rains were’nt adequate in DHA. Repeat of 2020 like situation in many DHA phases deplorable pic.twitter.com/aPad9c7cVr

— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) July 12, 2022

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Aftab Siddiqui has expressed grave concerns over the worst flood situation in the areas under the control of the cantonment board after rains in Karachi. Aftab Siddiqui was elected MNA from Clifton.

MNA Aftab Siddiqui says that we have been saying for the last two years that if there is more rain, then the pumps you have installed will not be of any use because these pumps will not work even in low rainfall.

It is being said that Saleem Wattoo is visiting the cantonment areas, do we have to lick his visits, the problem is that Saleem Wattoo ignored the drainage system and carpeting inside the drains can not work, Jami said. The whole area is submerged.

Aftab Siddiqui, while instructing Saleem Wattoo, said that he should visit the Sunrise area of ​​DHA Phase VII, the houses built there will have to be demolished, he will have to crack the DHA Phase VII Extension again. The areas have been sold 25 to 30 years ago and it was a creek area used to absorb water which you have closed, the whole of Karachi water first comes to the DHA then goes to the sea. The problem cannot be solved for life.

He said the only solution is to have some good Maulvis gather and pray to stop raining in Karachi. Because in the current situation, paying our taxes is all useless, we had filed a petition in 2020 on the performance of DHA, but you have not come to your senses yet.

Aftab Siddiqui said, “Saleem, don’t ask us to pray to Allah. If we have to pray to Allah, then why do we pay taxes to you? The pumps being installed for dewatering are just a wastage of time and money for fuel expenditures.. He added that he was just given a presentation but nothing else and now our properties are ruined and only option left is to leave DHA and Clifton.

Analysts say that Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has visited Karachi for a long time and saw the whole situation with his own eyes. He has also thoroughly inspected the areas under the administration of the Cantonment Board. We have only a small request from our Army Chief to hold the incompetent administration of the Cantonment Board accountable so that such a situation does not arise in future.