KARACHI: The political discourse over Karachi’s development projects has intensified as Karamullah Waqasi, the Spokesperson to the Mayor for Political Affairs, accused Saifuddin Advocate, the Leader of the Opposition in the City Council, of misrepresenting the city’s ongoing development efforts.

Waqasi asserted that Saifuddin’s criticisms are an attempt to mislead the public about the restoration projects, such as those at the Empress Market. He urged Saifuddin to adopt a constructive approach for the city’s progress rather than resorting to personal attacks on Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab.

In his statement, Waqasi defended the restoration work at the Empress Market, dismissing Saifuddin’s critique as “mere stonework” as baseless. He emphasized the significance of these efforts in preserving Karachi’s historical sites and rejected what he called “destructive politics.”

Waqasi questioned why Jamaat-e-Islami, despite holding the mayorship for three terms, neglected Empress Market and other historical sites. He highlighted the ongoing renovation of key buildings, including Khaliq Dina Hall and Frere Hall, under Mayor Wahab’s leadership.

The spokesperson stated that the Mayor’s initiatives align with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s vision to restore Karachi’s heritage and infrastructure. He claimed that development work is being conducted without bias, which he argued is intolerable for those adhering to Jamaat-e-Islami’s ideology.

Waqasi criticized Jamaat-e-Islami for engaging in what he termed as baseless criticism and insisted that the Mayor remains committed to serving Karachi. He noted that the Mayor exposed unused funds in nine towns controlled by Jamaat-e-Islami, which were then allocated for public works.

Concluding his remarks, Waqasi emphasized the accountability of the Mayor’s office and asserted that the city now belongs to the Pakistan Peoples Party, a reality he claims Jamaat-e-Islami cannot accept.