Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said on Saturday that citizens should pay federal taxes as well as local government taxes.
This is the city that runs the country. If citizens support us, we won’t need to look towards the federal and Sindh governments. He stated this while presiding over a high-level meeting at the KMC head office on Saturday. On this occasion, Municipal Commissioner KMC S.M. Afzal Zaidi and heads of various departments were also present.
The meeting reviewed the situation regarding rains in the city in detail.
Wahab said that rain is a blessing from Allah and not a nuisance. Large and small pumps are available for drainage of rainwater on all roads under KMC’s jurisdiction. How long will critics continue to criticize? We are working with a positive mindset.
In the past, major roads used to be submerged with rainwater. Various town chairmen affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami are in constant contact. There are some issues in the inner city which cause delays in rainwater drainage. According to the meteorological department’s forecast, all preparations for drainage of rainwater are complete. Our effort is to minimize the inconvenience faced by citizens. We are not saying that all issues have been resolved; some challenges still exist, but with the cooperation of citizens, we will soon overcome these challenges as well.
He said that I do not believe in criticizing others, and it is our responsibility to serve, which we are fulfilling.
In the past, rainwater used to enter the birthplace of the founder of Pakistan, Wazir Mansion, but we have worked there, and everyone must have seen that this no longer happens. Rainwater does not accumulate on the road passing in front of Wazir Mansion either.
Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that 52 billion rupees are due from citizens to the Water Board, which they should pay to improve water supply and drainage. With whatever resources the local government has, we are working with full energy and dedication.
There are some issues in Karachi’s old areas; 2.25 billion rupees are required to completely replace the Jameela Pumping Station, but we have started work to improve it immediately at a cost of 200 million rupees. Machinery has been ordered to make the old Jameela Pumping Station new, which has arrived at Karachi Port. Very soon, we will overcome this issue, and the water supply in old city areas will be further improved.
The Mayor of Karachi said that no one is interested in paying KMC taxes. We provide fire brigade services, clean the city’s stormwater drains, and perform other municipal tasks, but citizens do not pay the MUCT bill.