The spokesperson for the Mayor of Karachi today sharply rebuffed criticism from opposition parties regarding the city”s municipal performance following recent heavy rainfall, labelling the complaints from MQM and Jamaat-e-Islami as ‘political point-scoring and negative propaganda.’
In a detailed statement, Karamullah Waqasi contended that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and other relevant institutions implemented immediate and effective measures to handle the downpour, which he described as unusually intense with rainfall exceeding 40 mm per hour in some areas.
He detailed that de-watering pumps were activated at dozens of sites, supplemented by over 100 mobile pumping stations, heavy machinery, and a field staff of more than 300 personnel who remained active during the weather event.
Waqasi asserted that pre-emptive cleaning of dozens of major drains and hundreds of smaller channels resulted in a ‘significantly improved situation’ compared to previous instances. He pointed to the swift restoration of traffic on key thoroughfares like Shahrah-e-Faisal and the Lyari Expressway within hours as proof of the strategy”s effectiveness.
The spokesperson dismissed the opposition”s comparison of a flooded Shahrah-e-Faisal to the ‘Strait of Hormuz’ as mere ‘wordplay,’ insisting that the road was cleared and traffic restored in a few hours, which he termed ‘clear evidence of administrative efficiency.’
He also highlighted ongoing Sindh government initiatives, stating that development projects valued at over Rs. 75 billion are in progress to upgrade the city’s infrastructure. Additionally, Waqasi noted that the solid waste management system has been modernised, employing thousands of sanitation workers and advanced machinery.
Directing criticism back at the opposition, Waqasi claimed that towns with opposition majorities had received billions of rupees in funding, yet their failure to clean smaller drains within their jurisdictions demonstrated their own poor performance. ‘Issuing statements from air-conditioned rooms is easy, but real work is being done on the ground,’ he remarked.
While expressing sorrow over the loss of human lives during the rains, the spokesperson said such incidents were tragic. However, he maintained that it is incorrect to attribute responsibility for electrocution-related accidents to the KMC, suggesting a need for improved safety coordination with power utility companies.
Waqasi stated that under the Sindh Local Government Act, local bodies possess greater authority and resources than before, with funds being distributed to all towns without political bias. He suggested that if problems persist, the respective local administrations should enhance their performance.
He emphasised that the Pakistan Peoples Party prioritises practical work over symbolic politics, noting that the Mayor of Karachi is personally overseeing operations in the field. He added that efforts to modernise the city”s infrastructure and digitalise civic amenities are ongoing.
In his concluding remarks, Waqasi advised the opposition to cease what he called ‘negative politics’ and adopt a constructive role for the city”s betterment. ‘Our identity is public service,’ he affirmed, reiterating that providing relief to citizens is the primary objective.