Karachi, 13 December, 2023 (GNP): Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI)Karachi Amir, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, announced the submission of a no-confidence motion against Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Monday.
This came shortly after the City Council approved a resolution allowing K-Electric to collect Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) charges through citizens’ monthly power bills.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed dissatisfaction with the PPP-led mayor, criticizing the ruling party for the severe water crisis, alleging the mayor’s election through rigging, and failure to present the budget in the council.
During the council session, the JI leader highlighted that elected representatives lacked authority in addressing the public’s water-related issues. He advocated for the transfer of the solid waste department to the local government.
Regarding alleged election irregularities on January 15, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stated, “The results of the local government elections were manipulated.” JI has consistently accused the Sindh ruling party of tampering with the Karachi mandate. Rigging claims surfaced from opposition parties, including JI, PTI, and JUI-F, due to delayed result releases after polling closed at 5 pm on January 15.
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Hafiz Naeemur Rehman mentioned that elected PTI members, who were JI allies in Karachi, were coerced into changing their allegiances. The absence of 31 PTI members during the mayoral elections allowed PPP to secure the Karachi mayor position. Wahab and Murad, PPP candidates, secured the mayor and deputy mayor positions with 173 votes, while JI candidates attained 160 votes for the respective positions.
Rehman accused the government of intentionally underreporting Karachi’s population in the census. In response, the incumbent mayor emphasized a commitment to preventing interference in KMC’s jurisdiction and vowed to combat corruption within the corporation.
Furthermore, the session witnessed a scuffle among PTI members, with defectors announcing their support for the PPP mayor. The City Council session was adjourned indefinitely amidst these developments.
