Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab speaks with someone in this image. — APP/File
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said the establishment of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Vigilance Squad is an important step to protect the city’s infrastructure and prevent illegal activities.
He said this while addressing a ceremony held on Wednesday at the KMC head office for the distribution of electric motorcycles to the vigilance squad.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Parliamentary Leader in the KMC City Council Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Juman Darwan, Musarrat Niazi, council members, elected representatives and KMC officials were present on the occasion.
The mayor said the purpose of forming the vigilance squad was to ensure that no one carried out illegal road cutting or damaged public infrastructure. The squad would also monitor whether drug addicts were damaging streetlights, cables or other government property, he added.
He said that in the past, city wardens were assigned irrelevant duties and the use of official vehicles led to increased fuel expenses. He added that due to the recent rise in fuel prices, financial pressure on institutions had increased.
He lamented that various elements undid development work carried out by the KMC through actions like illegal road cutting and theft of streetlights.
Wahab said 20 electric motorcycles had been distributed to the vigilance squad of the KMC city warden department. The use of electric motorcycles would not only improve operational efficiency but also help save fuel, he remarked, adding that charging stations had been set up at various locations for the motorcycles.
He said the KMC was rapidly moving toward green energy and Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta Building had already been shifted onto solar power, while hospitals and pumping stations were also being solarised, which would significantly reduce electricity cost.
He said the motorcycles being distributed were not for protocol but they belonged to the citizens of Karachi and would be used by staff for patrolling in different areas.
He vowed that more steps would be taken in the future to promote fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly policies, and trucks, vehicles and motorcycles would gradually be shifted onto electric power.
Speaking on national matters, he said the struggle of the PPP was aimed at strengthening and defending Pakistan. He noted that Pakistan’s successful diplomacy had been evident at the global level and India had faced setbacks internationally.
The mayor remarked that the JF-17 aircraft agreement was made during President Asif Ali Zardari’s tenure and it was now playing an important role in national defence.
He said that during challenging times, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held key meetings with the prime minister to strengthen Pakistan’s stance, while President Zardari convened all the stakeholders at the presidency.
He said the Pakistanis must remain united to move forward. The country had faced international isolation in recent years but was now re-emerging as an important country on the global stage, he added.
Wahab criticised the use of banners and posters in the city, saying that such tactics misled the public and could not solve civic issues. He said that banners with the slogan ‘Karachi Ko Haq Do’ had been put up by the Jamaat-e-Islami, (JI) but questioned whether putting up posters could clean the city or resolve its problems.
He said the KMC was seriously considering action against those responsible for illegal banners and posters, including sealing their businesses. He added that criticism of the Lyari Transformation project was unjustified as the KMC had carried out practical work. He added that Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan was constructed by the KMC but banners thanking the JI were placed there.
Politics based on falsehood could not solve public issues, he said, adding that certain elements deliberately disrupted the recent City Council proceedings.
Wahab stressed that when one member spoke, others should remain silent, but unfortunately, during speeches by Waqasi and Najmi Alam, the environment was deliberately disturbed against the democratic norms.
About Spencer’s Eye Hospital, the mayor said it was established in 1940 and was once a major health care facility. He added that it was now being revived and the OPD had been restored with modern equipment. Free eye surgeries would be offered at the health facility, he said.
