KARACHI: In order to discuss key problems being faced by Karachiites in the City Council, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party and the opposition Jamaat-i-Islami have agreed to set the agenda of its meeting being held on Thursday (today) after five months of its first session, Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference at the head office of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the mayor claimed that the opposition parties were on board and they agreed to cooperate with each other for development of the city.

“To create this harmony and reconciliation we approached all parties and held talks with each of them,” he said.

“Our deputy mayor Abdullah Murad himself held talks with the Jamaat-i-Islami and on the JI’s suggestion, it has been decided to increase the number of City Council committees to 37. The good thing is all parties have agreed to work together to solve basic problems of Karachi.”

He said the City Council would unanimously approve a resolution to resolve long-standing problems of the city.

“The City Council needs to play its role and I am confident that tomorrow’s [Thursday] meeting of the city council will be held in a pleasant atmosphere,” he said. “I am grateful to the opposition parties that they understand our seriousness regarding the solution of urban problems.”

He said that water, sewerage, gas and electricity were main problems of the city on which all political parties agreed.

“We will discuss the non-supply of gas in cold weather in tomorrow’s meeting and a resolution will be passed in this regard. Besides, speeding up the construction work of Red Line on University Road and Green Line on M.A. Jinnah Road would also be discussed,” he added.

He said that the KMC now had the authority to appoint their property inspectors in every town of Karachi.

“After tomorrow’s meeting, the next session will be called very soon. We are working on things that come under our mandate and together we can solve the problems,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2023