KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab launched broadside at Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) soon after KMC city council first session ended up amid uproar and chanting of slogans.

Addressing to the presser, Wahab said that Sirajul Haq-led party will not take country out of quagmire. Mayor Karachi taking a dig at JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, said, “You [Hafiz Naeem] are amir of JI’s Karachi. Do not try to take over as JI country’s amir. Better is to move ahead with positive mindset”.

“Hafiz Naeem wants to see upholding of politics of allegations in city,” he continued.  Wahab made it clear that everyone had been requested to contribute for sake of Karachi’s development but “Hafiz Naeem wants to see the upholding politics of allegations in the city,” he continued.  “Don’t try to become a pharaoh (firaun). The era of firaun is now over,” he added.

Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, who lost to Wahab during the mayoral election, refuse to accept the legality of the city council meeting and termed it in violation of the rules and procedures. A ruckus was created in the first city council meeting chaired by Wahab when members of the Jamaat-e-Islami members raising slogans against the mayor and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). “Today is the first meeting but I am sorry to say it is being run in violation of all procedures,” he said, adding that the mayoral election was held on June 15 and KMC budget was passed. As Hafiz Saeed continued his speech, the microphone was turned off and slogans were raised by PPP members, resulting in complete chaos and ruckus in the municipality.

 “I want PPP, Jamaat-e-Islami, PTI all to serve Karachi together. Time will tell who served and who did hypocrisy. Everyone is watching who wants to work and who wants to spoil the council meeting,” he said while taking a jibe at the PPP. Wahab asked if the Jamaat-e-Islami wanted a solution to the problems facing Karachi and see the country develop. “Do you want to see Karachi develop? I want us to work together. Whether it is the Jamaat-e-Islami workers, PPP workers, or PTI workers, all will work together,” he added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, July, 18 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.