PML-N’s Criticism of Bilawal Bhutto’s Kashmir Stance Is Unwarranted, Says Murtaza Wahab
KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has defended Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s remarks on Kashmir, stating that he merely reiterated the party’s longstanding manifesto position and that criticism from leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was unjustified.
Speaking to the media during the groundbreaking ceremony of infrastructure development projects in the SITE Industrial Area, Wahab said Bilawal Bhutto was expressing the PPP’s official stance on Kashmir when political opponents began leveling accusations against him.
He said the PPP has successfully faced political challenges during former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tenure and remained politically relevant throughout. Wahab added that during the no-confidence movement, the PPP could have sought the office of prime minister for itself but instead supported the democratic principle that the party with the largest number of seats should lead the government.
The Karachi Mayor announced the launch of infrastructure projects worth Rs2 billion in the SITE Industrial Area, which include road rehabilitation, drainage improvements, and other development works. He said the package had been provided by the Sindh government specifically for the business community and that implementation work has already commenced.
To ensure transparency and expedite completion, Wahab stated that the allocated funds have been placed at the disposal of the SITE Association. He added that while the funds are available, it is now the association’s responsibility to execute and complete the projects efficiently.
“The business community plays a vital role in the development of both the city and the country, and it is our responsibility to provide them with basic civic facilities,” he said.
Wahab further stated that under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the PPP is committed to addressing the problems faced by traders and citizens at their doorstep.
Expressing gratitude to the Sindh Chief Minister, he said that a development package worth Rs9.25 billion has been approved for all industrial zones of Karachi, of which the Rs2 billion SITE project was inaugurated on Thursday. Although contractors have estimated six months for completion, he expressed confidence that the work would be completed within four months.
The Mayor also announced that he would soon inaugurate a Water Park project alongside Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. According to him, the facility will initially treat 35 million gallons of water per day, with an additional 65 million gallons to be added by December. A pilot project aimed at improving water supply to industrial areas is also being launched.
Highlighting the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s development plans, Wahab said the KMC has allocated Rs70 billion for development projects, while the overall development budget for Karachi stands at Rs300 billion. He added that Rs13.5 billion has been earmarked for the rehabilitation of 138 roads across the city, with tenders scheduled to be issued on Friday and completion targeted before the end of the year.
Earlier, SITE Association President Zubair Motiwala thanked the Sindh government for its support and stated that, in addition to the Rs2 billion project inaugurated on Thursday, development schemes worth Rs5 billion are already underway in the SITE area.
He also credited Murtaza Wahab for helping reduce the cess rate from 1.85 percent to 0.85 percent and called for the formulation of terms of reference regarding the utilization of cess-related funds. Motiwala further noted that the Mayor has pledged to work on the Karachi Bypass project and to visit the SITE Association every month.
The ceremony was also addressed by business leaders Javed Bilwani, Abdul Rahman Fida, and other participants.
