KARACHI: The City Council’s general session on Thursday was marred by a strong protest from opposition members belonging to the Jamaat-i-Islami and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed Sunni Ittehad Council. They accused Mayor Murtaza Wahab of ignoring their elected local body representatives in the release of development funds.

While the opposition members chanted slogans against the mayor, 21 resolutions were passed smoothly by a majority vote amid the ruckus, though the proceedings were barely audible due to the commotion.

The situation escalated when journalists boycotted the proceedings after several Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) activists stormed into the press gallery and occupied seats. The journalists walked out as the intruders refused to vacate the seats and misbehaved with media personnel. The protesting journalists demanded restricted access to the press gallery and the issuance of entry passes exclusively for journalists.

The media also boycotted the post-session press conference of Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, who had presided over the session, as most of the chairs in the KMC Head Office press conference room were already occupied. Later, the deputy mayor came out of his office to apologise to the journalists for the ‘inconvenience.’

Earlier in the day, the opposition members staged a protest outside the city’s municipality head office on MA Jinnah Road, decrying the non-release of funds to them. The protesters, led by Opposition Leader Saif Uddin, alleged that development funds were being allocated solely to union council (UC) chairpersons affiliated with the PPP.

Resolutions passed

During the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) Council general session, 21 resolutions were passed by a majority vote.

The first resolution congratulated Karamullah Waqasi, Imam Bakhsh Brohi, Babar Magsi and Muhammad Waqar on their victories in by-elections in various union councils. It also congratulated Karamullah Waqasi for his nomination as the Leader of the House.

The second resolution approved the promotion/upgradation of all employees in grades 1 to 4 who had served in the KMC for over 15 years.

Another resolution lauded the mayor for successfully implementing various development projects in the city. These projects included the repair and resurfacing of roads and highways at a cost of Rs2 billion, renovation and beautification of bridges, flyovers and underpasses, restoration of streetlights, development and beautification of parks, establishment of Karachi Metropolitan University, reforms in the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation leading to a record increase in monthly revenue, replacement of dilapidated water and sewerage lines and the rehabilitation of a sewage treatment plant.

The council also passed a resolution congratulating PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his spokesperson Barrister Murtaza Wahab for their instrumental role in the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment in the National Assembly and Senate with a two-third majority.

Another resolution commended the mayor for installing solar panels on the roof of the KMC’s central building to harness solar energy, recognising it as a commendable initiative.

The council urged the provincial government and KMC’s Medical and Health Services Department to launch a comprehensive crackdown on quacks and unlicensed doctors operating in the city.

Other resolutions passed included the approval of the KMC’s annual budget for 2023-24, recommendations for land allotment and transfer for Karachi Metropolitan University, sending KMC advertisements for direct publication in newspapers via the KMC’s Department of Information, Printing and Media Management, introducing a new appointment procedure and time scale for imam and muazzin posts in the KMC, introduction of charges for issuing house job and experience certificates to medical professionals at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Additional resolutions pertained to the upgrade of the KMC accountant post from BPS-11 to BPS-16, granting Manghopir Hospital the status of a major hospital, approving the construction of a 100-bed hospital in Moro Mir Bahar (formerly SITE Town) for middle-class residents, and taking steps to restore traffic flow at Banaras Chowrangi.

The council also called on the federal government to use gas discovered in Sindh for the benefit of the province’s people.

Other resolutions included the removal of encroachments from green belts along Hub River Road, tree planting initiatives, increasing OZT funds for Union Committees from Rs500,000 to Rs1.2 million monthly, and completing a pilot project at the Mauripur Sewage Treatment Plant to recycle sewage water for industrial and construction use.

Finally, the council congratulated the mayor for restoring the Jamila Pumping Station in Karachi’s Old City Area and implementing protective measures to preserve the city’s cultural heritage.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2024