Before the upcoming local government elections, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh has decided in principle to appoint Barrister Murtaza Wahab as the administrator of Karachi. He is likely to replace Laeeq Ahmed, a senior bureaucrat.
Wahab who currently works as an advisor to the chief minister on law and environment also happens to be a spokesperson for the Sindh government. Sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune, that the decision was taken on the orders of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who is eyeing to win upcoming local bodies election.
The schedule of the local government polls has yet to be announced, however, the provincial governments in the federating units have started manoeuvring to strengthen their party position in the grass-root level politics.
“Chief minister is on a personal visit to the USA. Soon after his arrival, the notification of coveted post of KMC administrator will be issued,” a senior official in the Sindh government said.
Rea More: PM following wrong priorities: Wahab
According to officials, Wahab, who belongs to Karachi city, has been tasked to improve municipal services of the city and accomplish important projects so that PPP could galvanise its support in upcoming general and local bodies’ polls.
“I will welcome to be assigned the prestigious KMC post, if the leadership gives me a chance,” Wahab said speaking to the media.
Wahab who happens to be son of PPP stalwart and former secretary information of the party, Fauzia Wahab (late) has also served as senator from 2017 to 2018. He was elected unopposed as senator from Sindh when the seat fell vacant after the resignation of PPP’s Saeed Ghani.
He later contested the last general election from PS 111, Karachi south mainly from Clifton and DHA areas, but lost the seat to PTI’s Imran Ismail who went on to become the governor of Sindh.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi) leader Aftaq Ahmed welcomed the decision. “Murtaza Wahab belongs to Karachi. He knows the dynamics of the city. It’s a good decision to appoint him,” he said.
Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah while lauding the services of Wahab in Karachi said credit goes to him for initiating major development projects in the metropolis. PPP recently won the last by-poll of national assembly seat from Baldia, he remarked.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) the major rival of PPP in Sindh has opposed the decision. “A neutral and apolitical person should be appointed as administrator Karachi,” Firdous Shamim Naqvi,” PTI senior leader and MPA of Sindh said calling Wahab a most junior person who according to Naqvi has no idea about municipal issues.
The Convener of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has said that they do not expect any development in Karachi if Pakistan Peoples Party’s Sindh government appointed Wahab as Administrator of KMC. “Wahab’s appointment can bring a change in Dubai’s real estate,” Siddiqui said while addressing the business community and talking to the media at Hyderabad Chamber of Small Trade and Small Industry (HCSTSI) on Thursday.
He acknowledged that the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had earmarked huge funds for the development of Karachi and Hyderabad, observing that the cities would be receiving a considerable development package after a long span of 11 years.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2021.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ