Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, speaking ahead of the federal budget announcement, emphasized that the city deserves its fair share of resources. While acknowledging the widespread talk of empowering local governments, he lamented the lack of real support for Karachi.
Wahab urged the MQM and representatives from all political parties to advocate in Parliament for a Rs100 billion development grant for the city. He made these remarks during a press conference held at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) headquarters. He also highlighted the massive operation to dispose of animal waste and garbage during Eidul Azha, stating that 146,801 tonnes were removed and taken to landfill sites at Jam Chakro, Gond Pass, and Sharafi Goth.
The Mayor praised the sanitation and administrative teams for their hard work over the Eid holidays. He pointed out that he, along with the Deputy Mayor, the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) Managing Director, and other elected officials, were present on the ground throughout the cleanup effort. Ninety-six collection points were established across 25 towns in the city’s seven districts. A 24-hour helpline (1128) received 3,699 complaints, with 97.4% of them being resolved. Wahab stated that he personally monitored the situation and took swift action, brushing off any criticism. He added, “Nowhere else in the world has this amount of waste been cleared in three days.”
Wahab welcomed oversight from federal and provincial representatives, expressing no objection to the appointment of monitors to ensure transparency. He extended an invitation to Jamaat-e-Islami chief Monem Zafar and federal minister Mustafa Kamal to collaborate with him on improving the city instead of criticizing through press conferences.
“Work is being done in Karachi, but we are too busy undermining each other,” Wahab stated, urging an end to negative portrayals of the city. He condemned divisive politics, drawing a contrast between past issues like “China-cutting” and current problems like “road-cutting.” He announced that drain cleaning operations would begin on June 20th.
The Mayor elaborated on the massive scale of the Eid cleanup, noting that 95,164 tonnes of offal and 51,637 tonnes of garbage were removed between June 7th and 9th. The operation involved small vehicles collecting waste from neighborhoods and transporting it to designated collection points, from which dumpers moved it to landfill sites.
He emphasized the collaborative nature of the operation, involving town chairpersons and SSWMB staff. Following waste removal, lime was sprayed, fumigation was carried out, and main roads were washed with rose water. He also highlighted coordinated action with the city police chief against the “Charbi mafia,” resulting in 144 FIRs and 348 arrests. He remarked that when things go wrong, the mayor is blamed, but when things go right, others take credit.
Wahab said that complaints from areas like Jehangir Road and Tariq Road were promptly addressed and there had been improvement from last year especially in District Central. He also stated that there had been minor issues in New Karachi and there was improvement from last year in Lyari too.
The Mayor encouraged sanitation workers to continue their hard work and learn from past mistakes. He stressed that they would respond to criticism through their actions. He also highlighted the challenge of the city’s distant water sources, located over 125km away, and called on the Prime Minister to take action, offering to hold a joint press conference if progress is made.
Wahab expressed hope that Mustafa Kamal would advocate for Karachi within the federal cabinet and that the Pakistan Peoples Party would support the city in the National Assembly. He confirmed that tenders for drain cleaning in all seven districts had been issued, with funding coming from the provincial government. He also mentioned necessary small-scale winching operations and the cantonment boards utilizing garbage transfer station facilities during Eid.
He noted the activity of fire brigade teams during Eid and revealed that development schemes worth Rs37 billion had been submitted to the Sindh government for consideration in the upcoming budget. He appealed for collaboration, stating, “Lala Rahim is my brother; we should work together.” He also cautioned government officials against engaging in propaganda on media or social media.
“I’m not interested in pointless political debates,” Wahab stated, referencing a time when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz held only two seats in Karachi. He criticized the allocation of billions for road-cutting projects, hoping that town chairpersons would use the funds to build proper roads.
