‘No more political theatrics’: Murtaza Wahab says development is now the focus

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that the era of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Korangi is over and that the time for political theatrics has ended stressing that the focus should now be on development and public service.

KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that the era of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Korangi is over and that the time for political theatrics has ended stressing that the focus should now be on development and public service.

Wahab made the remarks while addressing a ceremony held to inaugurate the Korangi No. 5 Flyover. Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah inaugurated the project alongside the Karachi mayor. Korangi Town Chairman Naeem Sheikh and other Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) district office-bearers and workers also attended the ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, Wahab said the city would no longer witness what he described as political theatrics, adding that the focus was now on getting work done. He said the PPP was working according to the vision of party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The Karachi mayor said party leadership had consistently asked what was being done for the people. He noted that Korangi was an area where MQM had previously held political influence but claimed that the PPP had constructed thousands of roads in the district.

Wahab highlighted several development projects, including the Korangi Causeway Taj Haider Flyover, Korangi-Landhi Flyover, Korangi No. 2½ Bridge, Azim Purah Flyover and Shahrah-e-Bhutto.

He said Rs2 billion was being spent on development projects in Korangi and another Rs2 billion in Landhi. He also highlighted the Sindh government’s work in the autism sector saying the provincial government had established an autism centre four years ago.

Wahab said the PPP’s message was to deliver practical work because the public was watching. He added that roads and development projects were necessary to connect communities and that development work would continue under the party’s leadership.

Speaking at the event, Nasir Hussain Shah said the vision of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari was to serve the people. He said Sindh Chief Minister and his team were working day and night to implement that vision.

Shah said the government’s investment in major development schemes was not a favour to the public, but part of its responsibility. He added that the Sindh government was the largest donor to Indus Hospital for healthcare services.

He further said that a major autism centre, named “Inclusive City,” was being constructed along Shahrah-e-Bhutto in Korangi.

Shah said Rs4 billion had been allocated collectively for the Korangi and Landhi industrial areas to improve infrastructure and create more employment opportunities.

He added that the PPP was committed to taking everyone along and continuing the legacy of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s slogan of “roti, kapra aur makan” — food, clothing and shelter.

The minister also said that Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Sindh Chief Minister frequently visited different parts of Karachi late at night without media coverage or protocol.