Rs200b still not enough for Karachi, says Murtaza Wahab

Azma says PML-N, PPP coalition delivers stability, progress, urges performance-driven competition over accusations

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said on Wednesday that even Rs200 billion would be insufficient for the city’s development and stressed the need for federal support, while also remarking that any comment on Punjab could upset Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Speaking at the inauguration of a new catheterization laboratory (cath lab) at the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases, Wahab said the facility had already conducted three operations since morning. He noted that the lab 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 its own sake did not resolve issues, adding that Karachi’s problems required substantial financial resources. “If I do not seek help from the prime minister for Karachi, then from whom should I?” he said, adding that a Rs20 billion allocation was inadequate.

He emphasised that even Rs200 billion would fall short, and that Karachi deserved its rightful share. “If a company is set up for Karachi’s development, there should be no objection. I want my city to get its due rights,” Wahab said.

Commenting on Punjab, Wahab remarked, “If I say anything about Punjab, Maryam Bibi will get upset. She has spoken about water issues and canals, and the people of Punjab are in difficulty. It is our duty to ease their problems.”

Read: PPP endures fresh attack from Azma

Wahab also vowed strict action against corruption within Karachi Metropolitan Corporation institutions, stating that public money belonged to citizens. He cited measures to improve healthcare facilities under public-private partnerships, including free tests with new equipment at Spencer Eye Hospital, where 200 surgeries were conducted in two and a half months.

The mayor announced plans to install new machinery at hospitals and inaugurate a new block at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital later this month, despite political hurdles.

Punjab minister tells PPP to avoid blame

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) should avoid blame games and, if it seeks competition, it must be based on performance.

Speaking on a private TV programme, Azma said the 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 offering meaningful suggestions.

Azma stressed that Punjab is not relying on foreign aid and questioned why pressure is being created unnecessarily. She criticised interference in provincial administrative matters, saying it is inappropriate to politicise humanitarian issues.

She recalled that when Sindh faced floods, Punjab refrained from political statements, but the PPP is now engaged in point-scoring over relief efforts in Punjab.

The minister said the coalition between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP is delivering stability and progress, but warned that competition must remain performance-driven rather than accusatory.