Karachi-Lahore comparisons 'do not serve Pakistan': Murtaza Wahab
Karachi mayor Murtaza Wahab, speaking alongside Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin in Lahore. Photo: Screengrab
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday objected to comparisons between Karachi and Lahore in terms of infrastructure and governance, saying the two provincial capitals face different on-ground realities.
He made the remarks during a joint press conference in Lahore alongside Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin, who welcomed the Karachi mayor and his delegation on their arrival. Speaking at the briefing, Wahab said comparisons between Karachi and Lahore were inappropriate given differences in population, infrastructure demands and resource availability.
He noted that Karachi receives water from a distance of 125 kilometres, has a daily requirement of 1,100 million gallons, but is supplied only 550 million gallons per day (MGD), while its population continues to grow. He added that such comparisons create unnecessary friction and emphasised the need for both administrations to collaborate and share expertise.
واسا لاہور ہیڈ آفس میں کراچی واٹر اینڈ سیوریج کارپوریشن کے اعلیٰ سطحی وفد کی آمد
میئر کراچی مرتضیٰ وہاب کی زیر قیادت وفد میں چیف ایگزیکٹو آفیسر احمد علی صدیقی، چیف آپریٹنگ آفیسر اسداللہ خان، چیف کمرشل آفیسر حارث سرفراز اور چیف اسٹریٹیجی آفیسر صادق یونس، چیف فنانشل آفیسر عمار… pic.twitter.com/Vr12gA0TW4Yasin briefed the Karachi mayor on drainage and clean water supply projects in Lahore, outlining technical measures including SCADA-based monitoring systems, helpline services, solarisation, water metering and wastewater treatment plants.
He said the Punjab government had expanded five water agencies to 41 districts within a year, adding that thousands of kilometres of new pipelines were being laid under the WASA Punjab Development Plan.
He also noted that operational monitoring was being improved through full digitalisation of WASA, while the construction of underground water tanks would help improve drainage and groundwater levels.
Responding to a question, Wahab said such comparisons lead to “an unfortunate situation” and noted that the Karachi administration aims to complete under-construction bridges within 90 days.
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Describing Karachi as Pakistan’s “commercial capital”, he stressed the need for collective efforts. “Presenting a Karachi-Lahore divide as a political conflict does not serve Pakistan,” he said.
Wahab termed his first joint press conference in Lahore with Yasin an honour and said he had visited the city with a delegation from the Karachi Water Board. He also invited the people of Lahore to visit Karachi.
He said learning from each other was a positive process and announced that a memorandum of understanding would be signed between Karachi and Lahore WASA to enhance cooperation.
The delegation included CEO Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, COO Asadullah Khan, CCO Haris Sarfraz, CSO Sadiq Younis and CFO Ammar Khan. On the occasion, WASA Punjab Chairman Chaudhry Sher Ali Khan, Vice Chairman Chaudhry Shahbaz Ahmed and WASA Managing Director Ghafran Ahmed were also present.
Officials said the purpose of the visit was to exchange experiences between the two institutions and promote cooperation aimed at improving citizen services.