Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said on Wednesday that even RS200 billion would be insufficient for the city’s development and emphasized the need for federal support, while also noting that any comment on Punjab could interfere with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
When he spoke at the inauguration of a new Cath Lab at the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases, Wahab said the plant had already performed three operations since morning. He noted that the laboratory would ease pressure on patients in the federal B area who previously had to travel to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases.
The mayor said criticism for his own sake did not solve problems, adding that Karachi’s problems required significant financial resources. “If I am not seeking help from the prime minister for Karachi, then I will from whom I need?” He said, adding that an award of RS20 billion was inadequate.
He emphasized that even RS200 billion would fall short and that Karachi deserved his rightful share. “If a company is set up for Karachi’s development, there should be no objection. I want my city to get its right rights,” Wahab said.
In a comment on Punjab, Wahab noted: “If I say something about Punjab, Maryam Bibi will be upset. She has talked about water issues and channels, and Punjab’s people are in trouble. It is our duty to facilitate their problems.”
Wahab also promised strict action against corruption within the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation institutions in which they said public money belonged to citizens. He cited measures to improve health facilities under public-private partnerships, including free tests with new equipment at Spencer Eye Hospital, where 200 operations were performed for two and a half months.
The mayor announced plans to install new machines in hospitals and inaugurated a new block at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital later this month despite political obstacles.
Read: PPP endures fresh attack from AZMA
Separately, Punjab -Information Minister Azma Bukhari said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) should avoid guilt games, and if it is looking for competition, it must be based on performance.
When he talked about a private TV program, Azma said PPP fears the impressive performance of Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz. She added that constructive advice from allies is welcome, but PPP has chosen politics instead of giving meaningful suggestions.
Azma emphasized that Punjab is not dependent on foreign aid and questioned why pressure is created unnecessarily. She criticized interference with provincial administrative affairs and said it is inappropriate to politicize humanitarian issues.
She recalled that when Sindh was facing flooding, Punjab relinquished from political statements, but PPP is now engaged in point scoring of relief efforts in Punjab.
The minister said the coalition between the Pakistani Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP provides stability and progress, but warned that competition should remain performance driven rather than accusing.
