Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Friday responded to remarks made by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khurram Dastgir during an election campaign in Hunza, in which the latter said the people of Hunza would have to decide whether Gilgit-Baltistan should become like Punjab or Sindh over the next five years.
The mayor emphasised Karachi’s role as a people-friendly city and highlighted welfare initiatives undertaken by the Sindh government. He said the comparison provided an opportunity to reflect on the practical achievements of different provinces and political parties.
Wahab noted that during the election campaign, the PML-N leader had suggested that Hunza should develop along the lines of Lahore or Karachi. The mayor said Karachi’s identity went beyond infrastructure and development projects, as it was a city that welcomed people from all parts of Pakistan and provided opportunities to millions seeking employment and a better future.
He said Sindh’s leadership had consistently stood by the people during the times of crisis, particularly during natural disasters such as the devastating floods that affected large parts of the province.
According to the Karachi mayor, while political leaders in some regions may not always be visible during difficult times, the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had remained actively engaged with affected communities across Sindh.
Highlighting the Sindh government’s flood rehabilitation efforts, Wahab said the provincial administration launched an ambitious housing project for flood victims. He said the government was constructing 2.1 million houses for those affected by the floods and had already handed over 1.2 million completed homes to deserving families.
He stressed that Karachi served as the economic backbone of Pakistan and contributed significantly to the country’s financial and commercial activities. He described the metropolis as a city that supported workers, labourers and low-income families while continuing to attract people from diverse backgrounds who chose to settle here in search of opportunities.
Wahab said that if comparisons were to be made between Lahore and Karachi, Karachi should be recognised as a city that is particularly friendly to the poor and working class. He added that he would like Hunza to develop in a way that enabled it to serve the entire country, just as Karachi did.
The mayor also said the voters should focus on practical performance rather than political slogans and empty claims. He maintained that people-friendly policies should be given priority and asserted that the Pakistan Peoples Party had a longstanding record of implementing welfare-oriented initiatives for the public.
