Karachi, The challenges of managing mega cities were the focus of a national conference held in Karachi, where Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab emphasized the critical need for accurate population data to address urban issues effectively. The two-day event, organized by the Department of Public Administration at the University of Karachi, drew experts and researchers from across the country to discuss innovative solutions for urban management.
According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Mayor Wahab highlighted the discrepancies in population counts and their implications for resource allocation and policy making, particularly in Karachi, which he claims is significantly undercounted in official statistics. He pointed out the financial discrepancies between Karachi and cities like Mumbai in terms of tax collection, which he attributed to the empowered status of local governance in India compared to Pakistan.
The conference also addressed the financial autonomy necessary for city governance, with Mayor Wahab advocating for more power to be vested in the office of the mayor to enable more decisive and accountable urban management. He proposed more academic collaboration with local institutions to enhance the practical training of students in public administration.
In addition to the discussions, the conference featured practical demonstrations of projects like the Red Line construction and the revitalization of Nehar-e-Khayyam, showcasing efforts to improve Karachi’s infrastructure. The Mayor also took the opportunity to announce collaborations between the University of Karachi and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation to enhance educational engagements and practical exposure for students.
The event concluded with the distribution of commemorative shields and a call for more such conferences to foster a deeper understanding and more research into the complexities of managing large urban centers in Pakistan.