KARACHI: Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar has accused the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led Sindh government of creating hurdles in the development of Karachi.
Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the PTI’s regional office in Karachi’s Shah Faisal Colony, he said that the ruling party owned the city and was, therefore, undertaking the development projects.
“The same view of Karachi, however, was not held by the PPP leadership,” he said, adding, “We consider Karachi as our own and the PPP does not, so we are working on the various development projects.”
The federal minister said, “Despite the obstacles, we will continue the development projects in the metropolis,” adding that the local government system in Sindh does not meet the spirit of the Constitution.
“The local government should have all the powers but that’s not the case in Karachi. The provincial ministers and the chief minister step up with promises but the powers have not been transferred yet,” he remarked.
He highlighted that the ruling party and its Karachi-based coalition partner has approached the country’s top court over this issue. “PTI and MQM have filed a petition in the Supreme Court regarding the local government powers,” he added.
The federal minister noted that development work was underway in Karachi and that no one could hold leaders accountable better than the people themselves. “Elections will be held under the new system, which empowers people,” he mentioned.
Earlier on January 27, in a bid to remove obstacles and review progress on various initiatives being taken under the Karachi Transformation Plan, the federal government had formed a 10-member monitoring committee.
