Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab today criticized the federal government for sidelining the local administration and not taking concrete steps to address the challenges faced by Karachi, a pivotal economic hub of the nation.
Speaking after inaugurating a new Cath Lab at the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases (KIHD), Wahab emphasized the need for practical solutions over political rhetoric to alleviate the city”s woes.
During the event, Wahab lamented that despite being the backbone of the country”s economy, Karachi remains neglected in terms of infrastructure development, contrasting it with the rapid motorway construction in Punjab. He called for development projects to be managed by the local government, asserting that the city needs tangible relief rather than mere political posturing.
The mayor highlighted the Pakistan People’s Party”s efforts to revitalize the previously underperforming heart hospital. Since the party took charge of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, significant strides have been made, including the restoration of the Cath Lab. This initiative has led to over 3,000 heart surgeries and 240 angioplasties in the last year alone, with further support coming from the Bohra community.
Wahab announced plans to launch a free laboratory at KIHD, promising state-of-the-art medical tests at no cost to the public. This move aims to mirror the services provided by private hospitals but without the financial burden. He also spoke about ongoing efforts to revive the Shah Faisal Colony Cardiac Center and the expansion of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, which is set to open a new block soon.
The mayor addressed past obstacles that hindered hospital functionality, citing the successful restoration of Spencer Eye Hospital and plans for the North Karachi Children’s Hospital. The Sindh government, he noted, is poised to take over operations to ensure efficient healthcare delivery.
In conclusion, Mayor Wahab”s statements underline a pressing need for federal support and local government empowerment to address Karachi”s pressing issues, especially in the healthcare sector.