Latest news with #MurtazaWahab
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Rs1b development schemes approved for District East: Wahab
Mayor Murtaza Wahab has said that eleven development schemes worth Rs1 billion have been approved in the budget for district east, and work on these projects will commence in coming days. He said a longstanding issue in the area is sewerage and all lines in the area will be repaired at a cost of Rs132 million. Funds of Rs20 million have been allocated for each of Karachi's 246 union councils. "We have allocated funds for every UC without any discrimination, regardless of the political party affiliation, because every UC represents Karachi," he said. The mayor was talking to the media after laying the foundation stone for various development projects in Lines Area, including internal road restoration, drainage, and carpeting of streets. He further stated that this week, Karachi will receive another Rs1 billion development package. "All development work in the area will be completed within this year, including carpeting of 200,000 square feet of internal roads, he mentioned." He urged the public to stop using plastic bags, which are the main cause of destruction in the city's sewerage system. He criticised those who hinder development work and engage in divisive politics.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
The unlivable city
Listen to article For yet another year, Karachi has been branded one of the world's least livable cities, ranking 170 out of 173 in the Economist Intelligence Unit's 2025 Global Liveability Index. With a dismal score of 42.7 on a 100-point scale, Karachi barely edged out Dhaka, Tripoli and Damascus to stay out of last place. It should be noted however that Dhaka has been at the centre of a political revolution that led to the overthrow of the Bangladeshi government and several protests, some of which turned violent. Tripoli has been ravaged by a civil war and repeated flare-ups since the Arab Spring began in 2011, while Damascus has just emerged from the brutality of the Syrian civil war. Karachi, on the other hand, has no civil war or uprising to blame. It just is that much of a mess. The city's woes are multifaceted, rooted in decades of neglect and misguided priorities. Karachi scored worst in "stability" and "infrastructure" — even worse than war zones where roads, highways and hospitals are being bombed — and it remains plagued by crime, terrorism and inadequate public services. In fact, a Forbes Adviser list last year placed Karachi as the second riskiest city for international tourists. An Asian Development Bank report also offered more context for Karachi's problems, drawing a direct link between grotesque income inequality and the city's major problems. While it is quite difficult to make things worse, Mayor Murtaza Wahab's defence was simultaneously lamentable as he criticised the survey for overlooking Karachi's "vibrancy" and "resilience." Other cities generally described as vibrant include Vienna and Damascus, which are polar opposites in almost every other measure. Beyond security, many of the problems holding Karachi back are unique to Pakistan, including the commercial emphasis on property speculation, which is more lucrative for businesses and politicians, rather than affordable housing developments, which are direly needed and still profitable.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Budget allocations for Karachi: JI to hold protest march on 21st
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Chief, Munim Zafar has announced a protest march to the Sindh Assembly on 21st June while launching a scathing attack on the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), accusing them of political hypocrisy and failing to secure Karachi's rightful share in development funds despite being part of the ruling coalition at the center. Addressing at a press conference at JI's Karachi headquarters, Idara Noor-e-Haq on Tuesday, Munim Zafar said that while both parties enjoy ministries and privileges in the federal government, they have done little to address Karachi's chronic issues, including water shortages, power outages, and crumbling infrastructure. He highlighted that Karachi, despite being Pakistan's economic hub, was largely ignored in the recent federal and provincial budgets. He pointed to the K4 water supply project as a glaring example of neglect. He said the Sindh government sought Rs 40 billion for this project but only Rs 3.2 billion were allocated, calling it a deliberate betrayal of Karachi's needs. He noted the project has been stalled for 22 years and this paltry sum ensures it remains in limbo. He also criticised the PPP-led provincial government for failing to launch any new mega projects for Karachi, despite the city generating the bulk of Sindh's revenue. Munim Zafar accused the PPP of hypocrisy, citing Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab's recent complaints about the federal government ignoring the city. He questioned why the PPP doesn't use its influence in the center to push for the city's rights if it is serious about Karachi. Similarly, he slammed the MQM for using Karachi's name to win votes but doing nothing in return, noting that while both parties are quick to secure ministries and perks for themselves, they show no urgency in resolving Karachi's crises. The JI leader said the protest rally on June 21 will demand fair budget allocations for Karachi, immediate completion of the K4 water project, new infrastructure and development initiatives, and an end to political neglect of the city. He vowed that JI would continue its legal and democratic struggle for Karachi's rights and urged citizens to join the upcoming protest, declaring that it's time for real action, not empty promises. Shifting focus to international affairs, Munim Zafar strongly condemned Israel's attacks on Palestine and other Muslim nations, as well as the United States for repeatedly shielding Israel at the UN. He said the UN has failed its purpose by allowing such atrocities and called the Organization of Islamic Cooperation equally ineffective, urging Muslim countries to unite independently to confront aggressors like Israel. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Meat market gets a facelift
It seems that the Centre has beef with Karachi, for literally chopping its development funds on the block. Mayor Murtaza Wahab, addressing the inaugural of the renovated meat market at the city's iconic Empress Market, minced no words in criticizing the rulers in the federal capital lack of funding for the economic hub of the country considered a cash cow by all. "The meat market has been provided a clean and hygienic environment," Wahab announced, standing before rows of freshly refurbished stalls now gleaming under new lighting. On the occasion, Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, Municipal Commissioner Syed Afzal Zaidi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Dil Muhammad, and other notable figures were also present. The mayor noted that the market, once dead meat in terms of infrastructure, now boasts 29 modern stalls, promising improved livelihoods for those in the meat and potatoes of daily commerce. A new parking facility catering to 400 cars and 150 motorcycles, he said, would finally carve out space in the historically congested area. The mayor stated that after renovating the vacant part of Empress Market, the remaining section will also be restored and beautified, including the iconic clock, which will be fixed. Further, Wahab stated that when the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) took control of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) two years ago, it decided not to complain about lack of authority and used whatever resources it had for the city's improvement, and to resolve the citizens' problems. He noted that Frere Hall, Khaliq Dina Hall, and Denso Hall have been restored and reopened to the public, and that six more KMC markets will be renovated this year. Meanwhile, Wahab stated that Rs40 billion had been requested from the federal government for the K-IV water supply project. However, he asserted that only Rs3.5 billion have been allocated in the budget for it. Further, the mayor said that Rs100 billion had been demanded from the federal government for Karachi, but not a single rupee has been given to KMC, although the city contributes significantly to the country's revenue.
Express Tribune
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
City needs Rs100b development grant
The economic powerhouse of the country needs a Rs100 development grant in the new budget, Mayor Murtaza Wahab said Tuesday. He urged MQM-Pakistan and representatives from various parties to play their role in ensuring Karachi gets its fair share in parliament. City Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that all elected representatives remained present on the ground during Eidul Azha. He applauded the sanitary staff and everyone involved in remarkable work in extreme heat over all three days. A total of 146,801 tons of offal and garbage was transported to the three landfill sites - Jam Chakro, Gond Pass, and Sharafi Goth GTS. He was speaking at a presser at the KMC head office where he was flanked by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, MD Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Tariq Nizamani, Deputy Parliamentary Leader of the City Council Dil Muhammad, and others. He shared that 96 collection points were set up across all 25 towns and 7 districts of the city. Citizens were provided with a 24-hour helpline (1128), through which 3,699 complaints were received, out of which 97.4% were addressed. He stressed that he personally toured the city to monitor the situation and take action regardless of any criticism, stating that there is no other example in the world of such a large amount of waste being removed in just three days. With the budget approaching, he reiterated that Karachi deserves its due share, and while everyone talks about empowering local governments, actual support for Karachi is needed. He urged MQM-Pakistan and representatives from various parties to play their role in ensuring Karachi gets its fair share in parliament. He demanded that the upcoming budget allocate Rs100billion as a development grant for Karachi, the commercial and financial hub of the country. The mayor said he has no objection if the federal and provincial governments appoint representatives to monitor the process. He invited Jamaat-e-Islami's Karachi chapter Ameer Munim Zafar and Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal to sit together and work for the city instead of indulging in criticism. "Work is happening in Karachi, but we are too busy pulling each other down. Please stop portraying the city in a negative light; this will not serve Karachi," he urged. Mayor Wahab said that politics of discord must end if meaningful progress is to be achieved. "This time, there was no stench - only prejudice," he said. "Previously, there was China-cutting, now there is road cutting." He said that Karachi's water sources lay over 125 kilometres away, and all he seeks is the rightful share for Karachiites. "We have passed the ball into the federal government's court," he said, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take action. "If he does, we will hold a joint press conference." He expressed hope that Mustafa Kamal would present Karachi's case in the cabinet meeting and have it approved, and that the PPP would also support the issue in the National Assembly. He mentioned that action was taken against the "tallow mafia" in coordination with the Karachi Police Chief, leading to 144 FIRs and the arrest of 348 individuals. "Karachi is a vast city. When something bad happens, the mayor is blamed; when something good happens, others take credit." Many people jump into the unregulated business of making tallow from the fat of sacrificial animals. If prepared under hygienic conditions, beef tallow can be used in cooking. However, scrupulous elements make edible oil from animal fat in extremely unhygienic conditions posing health risks for the consumers. Mayor Wahab stated that tenders have been floated for drain cleaning in all seven districts, and that funding for the work comes from the provincial government. Small-scale winching operations are needed, and the Cantonment Board used GTS facilities for their work.
