Murtaza Wahab ready for debate whenever Mustafa Kamal says

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has inaugurated a project to restore a park and an IT centre in Shadman Town. The project was completed at a cost of Rs14.5 million.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, he said a heap of garbage in Shadman Town had been turned into a park. The park, spread over more than one acre, has been equipped with modern facilities. It has a play area for children, swings and grass. More than 100 new trees and plants have been planted.

The mayor said an IT centre had also been set up next to the park for young people. Free IT courses will be held there. Artificial intelligence will also be taught free of charge, so that young people can acquire modern skills and find employment.

Murtaza Wahab said the IT sector was offering the best job opportunities around the world. He said the government wanted to provide respectable employment opportunities to freelancers as well.

He said the IT centre covers 180 square metres. It has eight rooms, an office, a store, a kitchen and toilets, among other facilities. The project also includes the supply of electricity and water to the park and the IT centre, and the connection of the sewerage line to the external network.

The mayor said parks like this would be built in every district. He said development work was moving quickly in Karachi and further work would start on 15 September. He said the town’s roads would also be built.

Murtaza Wahab said work was now visible in Karachi. He said the city’s infrastructure was improving and citizens were being provided modern facilities.

He said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) had the resources and powers. He said it was no longer time to complain about powers and resources. He said the only difference was leadership, and Karachi’s leadership was in the hands of its own people. He said the Pakistan Peoples Party had fulfilled its promise and development work would continue.

Responding to a statement by Mustafa Kamal, the mayor said he was ready whenever Mustafa Kamal asked for a debate. He said he was in the field even today, while Mustafa Kamal held press conferences sitting in an air-conditioned room. He said Mustafa Kamal came to Karachi only one day a week.

Murtaza Wahab said he did not expect support from his opponents. He said one only had to look at the history of democracy: there is always opposition. He said the people of Karachi did not want the Karachi of body bags, strikes and violence. He said wheel-jam strikes would no longer be allowed.

Addressing Mustafa Kamal, he said he should show the papers approving Rs300 billion and say when the amount was approved by the council.

The mayor added that Mustafa Kamal lost his temper quickly. He said he was the Health Minister and should take care of his own health too. He said the thinking of the MQM and the PPP was different.