By: Aziz Khatri
Karachi: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that political opponents are spreading negative propaganda regarding the Hub Canal and Shahrah Bhutto. In fact, only a 20-meter section of the Hub Canal was affected during the recent rains, which was immediately repaired within 48 hours, and the water flow was restored by last evening.
He expressed disappointment that instead of informing the public during natural disasters, people resort to political point-scoring. “Please do politics, but avoid political point scoring,” he stressed. There should be no double standards in development works in the city. There is a perception that no work is being done, but we have proven it wrong by delivering results on the ground.
He said that the baseless propaganda started immediately after the inauguration of Shahrah Bhutto, although its first and second phases are fully functional. The third phase, from Quaidabad to Kathore, was slightly affected by the rains but will be completed by December 31.
Referring to the legal action by Jamaat-e-Islami, Mayor Wahab said that they had filed a case against KMC regarding the commercialization of parks, and the court had issued a decision. He said that we have the legal and moral right to appeal against the decision. The people who are accusing me are the same people who first commercialized Karachi’s roads and sabotaged the city’s master plan in 2003.
He added that we saved the parks from destruction and started recreational activities for the citizens with the approval of the city council. I aim to expose hypocrisy and double standards. I will not remain silent on duplicity, lies, and double standards any longer.
Addressing the Jamaat-e-Islami, he said, “Please work within your limits and allow me to work within you, this will benefit the city and its residents.”
He expressed these views while holding a press conference at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) head office on Monday. Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, Deputy Parliamentary Leader of the City Council Dil Muhammad, Juman Darwan, and other elected representatives and office bearers were present on the occasion.
Mayor Wahab criticized the contradiction in political rhetoric and said that on one hand, we talk about parliamentary supremacy, on the other hand, democratic laws are being violated, and false statements are being submitted in the court under oath.
He said that Jalalpur Pir Wala is not in Karachi or Sindh. If there is a flood on the motorway, I am sure that Muneem Zafar and Saifuddin Advocate would have already held a press conference.
He further clarified that a 20-meter stretch of the Hub Canal on the other side was affected by the flow of rainwater from the Northern Bypass, and the contractor repaired it without any additional cost. “Political opponents distort facts, which tarnishes the image of the city. Such propaganda does not happen in other cities during natural disasters.”
Addressing the rumors about Shahrah Bhutto, he said that first, it was claimed that the road structure was in bad condition, then it was said that the law and order situation was bad, and rumors about Shahrah Bhutto were discussed. Despite this, 11 to 12 thousand vehicles use Shahrah Bhutto daily.
Talking about the funds received by towns under the Jamaat-e-Islami, he said that he admitted to receiving Rs27 billion, as a result of which the same people who used to make excuses for lack of resources, worked as town chairmen during the era of Naimatullah Khan, now claim lack of resources despite collecting taxes.
He further said that he has admitted to receiving Rs14 billion for the restoration of the road cutting, but now he says that development work will start only after the road cutting is completed. If that was the case, then why was there a rush to collect funds? Due to this attitude, the citizens of Karachi are facing difficulties.
He revealed that one town chairman gave a park to kabaddi players and another handed over the park to the university, while KMC does not even charge entry fees for its parks. “As mayor, I work on the instructions of the council – there should be no hypocrisy. If our political opponents want to fight, they should stay within their limits.”
Addressing the MQM, he said that they are bringing money from the federal government, which should be spent on the development of the city. Please come out of this negative thinking and adopt a positive approach. If you claim that you do not have authority, then step aside. We will work in your areas too.
He said that perhaps Hafiz Naeem has gone to Lahore and is unaware of the facts. Jamaat-e-Islami is angry that we are actually developing. I respect those town chairmen who were on the streets during the rain.
Stressing public representation, he said that we believe that the power lies with the people and their elected representatives.
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