KARACHI: “We are demanding financial and administrative powers under Artcle 140-A of the Constitutional of Pakistan but here law making is being done at will”, Waseem Akhtar Mayor of Karachi expressed this during a meeting with members of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Monday.
He said that they wanted to end to financial injustice in Karachi and asked the authority where Rs 6,000 billion has gone.
He said financial and development issues of Karachi were open facts before every one and they were demanding their constitutional powers of administration but no one dared to ask people in the helm of government affairs about it.
Waseem said that they are not serious in tackling the issues for resolution, “I am criticized but no one is there to ask the people sitting in the government about these matters”.
He was of the opinion that the business community could also raise its voice for the development of Karachi.
He said, “policies of the Sindh government about the city are open for all and adding that we are even not powered to make transfer of any official or to appoint honest officers in civic departments”.
Deputy Mayor Arshad Vohra said that a fund had been released for city’s development in 2007 and 2008 but this system has now been stopped. He requested the business community to come forward and give a helping hand in the development of city.
Zubair Tufail, President FPCC said Karachi was playing a pivotal role in the development of the country but is facing multifarious problems.
He requested the central and Sindh governments to take steps on a war footing to resolve the problems of Karachi. “If a city of more than 25 million population will not be given funds, how can a city Mayor deliver any good in the field of citizens’ facilities”, he added.
He demanded the Sindh government to provide development funds to the Mayor for Karachi and further asserted that the circular railway system should be completed soon and Lyari Expressway should also be opened in order to lessen the traffic congestion on city roads.
Mirza Ishtiaq Baig vice President FPCCI said World bank has declared Karachi a business-friendly city but it is still facing problems of rubbish heaps, poor roads and other infrastructure, and under such conditions how can foreign investment be brought in. He demanded the Sindh government to immediately stop the ‘step-motherly’ attitude with Karachi city and provide sufficient development funds for it.