Commissioner visits YMCA, assures support

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Commissioner Karachi, Iftikhar Shalwani, undertook a detailed visit of the YMCA following a decision of the Supreme Court for removal of all encroachments and banning the commercial activities there.

Present during his visit were Assistant Commissioner, Aram Bagh, Muthair Watto, Principal, YMCA, Mushtaq Masih, Secretary, YMCA, Babur Paul and Director, Anti-Encroachment, KMC, Bashir Siddiqui. 

The YMCA Principal, Mushtaq Masih, informed the Commissioner following a SC decision, the YMCA has been participating in curricular and non-curricular activities since 1905. 

He stated that after 2007, these activities had to be stopped due to grabbing of the area of YMCA, However, now following the SC order and support lent by local administration, the organization planned to resume its academic activities. 

The Commissioner told the principal that after the Supreme Court's decision, the administration has fully cooperated to implement the same and now the whole community can serve more effectively in its traditional curricular and non-curricular activities like hockey, cricket, football and swimming.

He assured that regular consultation will be maintained, which will help restore the status of the institution's historical status. 

Commissioner Shallwani went round the auditorium, school, technical training building, library and a 50-room hostel and other parts of the YMCA. 

He was informed that an amount of Rs 45 million was lying with the Nazir of the court since 2007 and the same will now be utilized to carry out repair and renovation of the buildings including its hostel. 

Assuring of his full support, the Commissioner asserted that the amount will be utilized prudently for repair of schools, developing a landscape for recreation and leisure activities.