KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab on Tuesday said that political parties often resort to blaming each other for negligence, which he described as a continuing trend.
He made these remarks while speaking to the media after inaugurating the Taimooriya Library in Nazimabad, which was renovated for Rs150 million.
“This is the year of development works,” the mayor said. “Rs 46 billion will be spent on development works in Karachi,” he said.
Wahab acknowledged that residents are facing difficulties because of construction work on University Road and suggested alternative routes for commuters. “People are facing hardships owing to the University Road work; those using this road could use Sehba Akhtar Road for commuting,” Murtaza Wahab advised.
He added that people living in the old city area are using Mirza Adam Khan Road as an alternative route. The mayor further stated that approval has been granted for 26 additional road projects in Karachi.
“These roads are used as alternate routes,” he said. “The work on these 26 roads will start by the end of the current month,” the mayor said.
Wahab also shared that Rs4 billion will be spent on four corridors in the city. “University Road to Habib University, Pahalwan Goth will be linked”.
He announced that the Murghikhana Bridge will be opened for the public in March, while the bridge at Karachi Export Processing Zone will be operational within the next 20 days.
“We start politicking when a tragedy struck, only those who suffer losses bear its brunt,” mayor said.
Speaking about MQM leader Mustafa Kamal, Wahab said he has supported the local government system and previously served as mayor, adding that Kamal himself acknowledged receiving support from the prime minister for development projects. “When he was Nazim, spending money got from federal institutions.”
“I will tell him to avoid duplicity over principles, the city government and local governance system should not only be strengthened for the MQM,” mayor said.
“The work will become better if you get approval of funds from prime minister,” Wahab said. The mayor also announced that work on the DNA Lab project has begun.