KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minster Advisor on Law and Spokesperson Sindh Government Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Monday resigned from the post of Administrator Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.
“The decision of the improvement of the city should not be in the hands of only 50 or 60 people. I believe in ethics. My ethics do not allow me to be remain Administrator Karachi any more. I was working with sincerity for the betterment of the city, I am grateful to my party for giving me so much respect, I don’t care if a handful of people change the decision taken under the law.
This is my city, the decision to collect municipal utility tax in a new way was not taken by my party, but by me and approved by the Sindh Cabinet,” Barrister Murtaza Wahab said this while announcing to resign in an emergent press conference in Sindh Assembly Committee Room here.
Barrister Murtaza Wahab expressed disappointment over the court’s decision to stop KMC from collecting municipal utility tax through K-Electric and said that after the court’s decision, it was no longer possible for him to run the city. He said that he wanted the process of tax collection to be transparent and the money should go directly to KMC instead of going into someone’s pocket.
“Before me, Mustafa Kamal and Waseem Akhtar had been collecting this tax through a private company. It would had been easy for me to continue that process and appoint my blue eyed people for tax collection, but I took the decision knowing the interest of KMC and the citizens of Karachi,” the CM Advisor on Law said.
He said that it is sad that the implementation of the municipal utility tax was considered valid by the court but the collection by KE was halted.
He said that those who criticize him do not want the improvement of the city. He said that it would be better to think about strengthening and improving the institutions instead of a few people. Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that in one year, he proved that the powers is not a hindrance to work.
“KMC did not get its due for nine years and I fought its case before KPT. As a result, the KPT paid KMC pay a lump sum of Rs 230 million. I still believe that the decision to collect municipal utility tax through KE was the right one,” he said.
Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that after collection of municipality tax, the KMC could get Rs 3 billion per year instead of Rs 160 million. He said that this money would directly into KMC’s account, not in someone’s pocket. The CM Law Advisor said that it was decided that a body like KMC should do the city’s work through its own resources.
He said that the solution to everything is in the law and the law says that KMC can levy this tax. He said that any mayor after the local bodies elections would have money to spend in the city. He said that earlier, this tax was up Rs 5000 and now it was reduced to Rs 50 and Rs 200. He said that no one ever asked why PTV’s Rs 100 license fee is collected through electricity bills.
“I believe in the supremacy of the law and there is nothing above the law. I have explained all the details in the court,” he added. Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that different mayors in the past had done many irregularities including commercialization of roads and china cutting, adding that he performed his duties with utmost honesty and integrity.
“I have come to the conclusion that it is not easy to do public service work in this city. I am committed to the discipline of my party leadership and will continue to respect their decisions. Now someone better than me will come and work here,” he added.