Karachi: Spokesperson for the Mayor of Karachi and Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan People’s Party in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Karamullah Waqasi, has strongly rejected statements issued by Jamaat-e-Islami on municipal affairs, terming them contrary to facts. At the same time, he welcomed the recently signed agreement between Pakistan and China regarding a major water supply project for Karachi. According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Waqasi emphasized that despite Jamaat-e-Islami’s control over nine towns and the expenditure of billions of rupees, no significant or sustainable development work has been visible. He remarked that those who once secured votes by making promises are now facing public accountability, as citizens are aware of who is responsible for the city’s persistent problems. He added that “complaint-driven politics” has now become the party’s defining approach.
He further stated that the poor performance of the nine towns administered by Jamaat-e-Islami has subjected the entire city to undue criticism. According to him, instead of prioritizing development, funds in these towns are being utilized for personal publicity, political campaigns, and unnecessary activities. Waqasi alleged that the party’s leadership, particularly Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, has shifted focus from practical public service to a narrative centered on grievances and rhetoric, resulting in growing public disappointment.
Welcoming the memorandum of understanding signed between Pakistan and China for Karachi’s water supply project, Waqasi described it as a significant and encouraging development for the city. He noted that the agreement, finalized in the presence of President Asif Ali Zardari, represents an important step toward addressing Karachi’s long-standing water crisis. He explained that under the MoU between the Sindh Local Government Department and Ocean Environmental Technology Group, cooperation will be extended for a seawater desalination project, which is expected to substantially improve water availability in the city.
He added that the agreement, signed by Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and the chairman of the Chinese company’s party branch, reflects the seriousness of the initiative and underscores its potential to serve the public interest.
Waqasi also dismissed criticism of the Sindh Solid Waste Management system by opposition leader in the city council Saifuddin Advocate and Jamaat-e-Islami’s town chairmen, terming it political point-scoring. He said labeling Karachi as a “garbage dump” is a distortion of facts and an attempt to divert attention from their own shortcomings. He emphasized that the Sindh government and relevant institutions are continuously working to improve sanitation services, while administrative weaknesses and lack of oversight in Jamaat-e-Islami-run towns are contributing to existing issues.
Concluding his statement, Waqasi urged representatives of Jamaat-e-Islami to focus on improving their governance instead of demanding the dissolution of institutions. He stressed that coordinated planning, rather than political rhetoric, is essential to provide relief to citizens, adding that the Sindh government remains committed to enhancing municipal services, including sanitation, water supply, and urban management across Karachi.