Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Sunday accused the local government leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) of sheer hypocrisy stating that they had failed to initiate development projects despite possessing tens of millions of rupees in available funds.
During an event in North Nazimabad, the mayor specifically challenged the JI to make the accounts of property and advertisement tax collections public and fulfil the promises made to citizens.
The mayor made these remarks while inaugurating repair of internal roads, rehabilitation of storm water drains and other development initiatives in North Nazimabad Block F. He was accompanied by other elected officials.
Wahab asserted that excuses regarding a lack of resources were no longer acceptable and called for those without the will and capacity to work to step aside. He announced that an audit had been initiated into the Rs1.2 million allocated to the union committees specifically to determine why the funds were not utilised for their intended development purposes. He also condemned the practice of taking money for road cutting and then failing to restore the infrastructure calling it an injustice to the public.
He said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation under him had been working under the manifesto of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had directed PPP officials to deliver tangible results rather than engage in ribbon cutting ceremonies and press conferences, the mayor added.
He criticised certain parties for focusing on sit ins and political point-scoring instead of resolving neighbourhood-level issues. Detailing the newly completed projects in the area, Wahab noted that the PPP had invested Rs100 million to construct internal streets over two hundred thousand square feet with paver blocks and overhaul a severely damaged sewerage system.
Wahab said he was the lawful and elected mayor and his hoardings would not be seen around the city. He alleged that those who spread despair were waiting for accidents to exploit them for political gains, and stated that every PPP worker was engaged in public service
He also highlighted several large scale infrastructure projects noting that the Sindh chief minister had been personally reviewing their progress. These projects, he said, included a four-lane bridge on Korangi Causeway that was expected to open by January 2026 a new underpass on Shahrah-e-Bhutto and a flyover and bridge at Murghi Khana.
He also mentioned the Mina Bazaar underpass, which was slated for completion by the end of January. Wahab also discussed the collection of parking charges at major commercial hubs including Zainab Market, Hyderi Market, Tariq Road and Bahadurabad. He clarified that the KMC was no longer responsible for collecting these fees.
