KARACHI: Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Saturday criticised the Jamaat-i-Islami leadership for failing to initiate development works in the towns it controlled and said that the party was just doing the “politics of point scoring”.

He said this at a programme held to inaugurate a three-acre family park in the Saudabad area that falls within the jurisdiction of Korangi Town, which is being controlled by the JI.

Criticising the JI-led town administrations, he said the party had so far failed to carry out development work in the towns under the control of its chairmen.

“This is a three-acre park which was lying abandoned and I appreciate the efforts of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) which restored it in record time and added an effective recreational facility in the area for the people of this neighbourhood,” he said.

“It’s the [Korangi] town where we [Pakistan Peoples Party] didn’t win. But today’s inauguration of a huge park is reflection of our determination that we believe in serving the people without any political biases,” he said.

In a jibe targeting JI’s city chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, the Karachi mayor said that he would ask the KMC staff to put his name plate at every development project for the sake for his interests.

“But I beg you [JI] to do your job and carry out development work where the people have elected you. Unfortunately, due to your incompetence the KMC has to initiate and execute the development projects even in towns under your administration,” he added.

He referred to a recently launched plan to build parks in different areas of the city exclusively tailored for differently-abled individuals, with the support of the Sindh government and Centre for Autism Rehabilitation Training (CARTS).

“We are committed to doing everything within the KMC capacity to serve people of Karachi. In line with the same effort, we are determined to empower individuals with disabilities of the city,” he added.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2023