Assuming charge: Mayor’s first day in office

Wasim Akhtar tells KMC, DMCs officials to mend their ways

KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar kicked off his first day at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) building on Thursday, after having obtained bail in the last of the 39 cases registered against him on Wednesday.

He reached his office after appearing before an anti-terrorism court for a case against him regarding the May 12 carnage. Speaking to the media after attending his office, he said that he has so many cases registered against him that he will have to appear before the court almost daily and this will also affect his work adversely.

He told all the officials of the KMC and the District Municipal Corporations (DMCs) to mend their ways. He said that corruption and violation of rules will not be tolerated and stern action will be taken against those who fail to fulfil their responsibilities. According to Akhtar, the city has witnessed no development work for the last one decade while no funds have been utilised.

He said that with the tax money of the people of Karachi, the economy of the entire country runs. But, he said, the city and its inhabitants get nothing in return. Moreover, he said, the elected representatives have been deprived of powers. The Constitution of 1973 demands devolution of powers to the grass-roots level, he stressed.

Akhtar said that if he had the powers, he would have briefed the people about his plans on developing the city instead of counting the issues the city is facing. He promised that he will take all the political parties on board to resolve the issues of the city.

On a question regarding the rift between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - Pakistan and MQM-London and its reflection in KMC’s City Council, he responded that the issue is exaggerated and they won’t face any such problem once the session is called in.

Talking about the rift between the Karachi Development Authority and KMC, he said that such problems will not arise if municipalities function according to the powers given in the respective laws.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2016.