'Municipal govts cater to common people's needs'

Karachi and Peshawar mayors represented Pakistan at World Mayors Conference

KARACHI: Municipal governments of megacities all over the world require support from federal and provincial governments for sustainable development.



Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar said this on Monday while talking to the media at his office after returning from Ulyanovysk in Russia where he participated in the World Mayors Conference held as part of the 4th WeGO General Assembly from June 27 to June 30.

The conference was attended by the mayors, deputy mayors, governors, municipal commissioners, chief executives, chairpersons and heads of administration representing mega cities of Turkey, South Korea, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Belarus and other countries. From Pakistan, Akhtar and Peshawar Mayor Asim Khan participated in the event.

Municipal governments are basic organisations that cater to the needs of common people, the mayor told the media, adding that municipalities that are weak administratively or financially cannot perform this duty.



Karachi would carry on its progress towards becoming a smart city on the lines of Singapore, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid and Stockholm, Akhtar claimed. The mayor added that information and communication technology plays a key role in providing better municipal services to citizens in today's world.