No-Confidence Move: “If PM Stays, I Stay Too,” Says Karachi Mayor

Karachi: Mayor Murtaza Wahab, responding to questions regarding a no-confidence motion, stated, “If the Prime Minister is not going home, then I am not going either.”

Speaking to the media in Karachi, Murtaza Wahab emphasized that action is taken against officers wherever negligence is identified. He noted that while institutions and political parties often trade blame, transfer postings are not a permanent solution—the problems themselves must be solved. “The city needs work, and we must solve Karachi’s problems together,” he added.

The mayor argued that it is unacceptable for political leaders to face criticism while negligent officers remain unpunished. “It is not possible that officers fail to work while we face the abuse,” he said. He further announced that 5.5 billion rupees will be spent on 26 roads, clarifying, “This is the people’s money—it is neither my personal wealth nor a donation.”

Criticizing Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), the mayor accused the party of “politicizing tragedies.” He specifically questioned JI Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman’s tactics, asking if he would display similar political posters in Lahore as he does in Karachi. He also noted that JI’s protest on Sharah-e-Faisal caused significant distress to citizens.

Regarding urban development, Wahab stated that the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) is focused on road improvements in the Old City, University Road, and I.I. Chundrigar Road. He announced the construction of four new corridors, including routes from Pehlwan Goth to Natha Khan via Sharah-e-Faisal, as well as corridors on Rashid Minhas Road and Sir Shah Suleman Road.

Updating the public on ongoing projects, the mayor said, “Our manifesto is to serve the people. We have already opened the Korangi Causeway Bridge. We expect to open the Chicken Farm Bridge by March and complete the Cattle Colony Export Processing Zone bridge by February.”

Closing on the topic of the no-confidence move, he challenged Mustafa Kamal to “ask the Prime Minister what happened,” noting that top leaders from the MQM-P and JI were notably absent from the site of the Gul Plaza tragedy.