Mayor wants to work with all political parties for city’s sake

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Thursday requested the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to work with him for the city’s betterment.

Wahab stressed eliminating hypocrisy through visible and meaningful actions. He said that good deeds must be performed and shown to the people. The Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) work has just begun, he added.

He also said that significant progress has been made over the past one and a half years, and even more improvements are on the way. “We’ll ensure the public knows about Bilawal Bhutto’s efforts as we work towards presenting a better Karachi to the world.”

He shared that he recently presented Karachi’s case to the prime minister, requesting funds and urging political parties to collaborate with him for the city’s sake. He highlighted the restoration of nine pumping stations in Lyari, and the beautification of the roads surrounding sewage pumping stations. He said advertisements for a Rs3.5 billion ADP project have been issued, and the PPP is fulfilling its promises for public welfare.

He inaugurated the Shaheed Waja Ahmed Karim Dad Family Park, the Maula Madad Pumping Station and the Shakoor Shaheed Pumping Station in Lyari. Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation CEO Asadullah Khan, city council leaders, local representatives and party workers attended the event.

At the inauguration of the family park in Miran Naka, Wahab said the park honours Lyari’s late social leader, reflecting the PPP’s commitment to remembering its martyrs. He explained that the park was previously a sewage pumping station but it has been transformed into a community space. Similarly, he pointed out, a park has been built around the Jamila Pumping Station in Lyari.

Regarding the inauguration of the pumping stations, he outlined strategies to address Lyari’s water scarcity and load-shedding issues. He revealed that 18 new pumps have been installed at nine pumping stations, and 10 additional vertical pumps have been procured to mitigate water supply challenges.

He said that new generators have also been purchased to prevent disruptions caused by load-shedding. Restoration work continues at the Jamila Pumping Station and the Shireen Jinnah Colony pumping station.

He highlighted the ongoing plans, including laying an elevated pipeline to prevent water theft, and a new canal from the Hub Dam for water supply, expected to commence in August. He reiterated his commitment to resolving Karachi’s issues, emphasising that the PPP delivers practical solutions, not just empty promises.

Regarding the recent sit-ins in the city, he urged all parties to exercise their right to protest within constitutional limits, and without causing inconvenience to the public. “Protests should not worsen Karachi’s challenges,” he said, adding that protesters must be responsible and considerate of others.

Criticising past local administrations, he remarked that the MQM’s tenure was marked by citywide shutdowns called wheel-jam strikes. He pledged to continue Karachi’s journey of development across all seven districts under the PPP’s leadership to ensure a prosperous future for the city.