KARACHI: Newly appointed Karachi Administrator Iftikhar Ali Shallwani on Wednesday said that he would work in accordance with the responsibilities and mandate given to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) in the Sindh Local Government Act 2013. 

“I have nothing to do with politics and will perform my duties as a professional civil servant,” he added. 

Addressing his maiden press conference as city administrator at the KMC head office, he also expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders — particularly the federal and provincial governments — for the trust placed in him for the betterment of the city. 

Maiden presser ends on a bitter note as Shallwani irked by media’s questions

The administrator said that he would fulfil the responsibility given to him and that the work to be done in coming days would be seen by the people. 

He said if he was assigned any other responsibility, he would fulfil it to the best of his ability. 

Media protest

However, the press conference was marred by a strong protest from the media when Mr Shallwani evaded questions and left the conference room saying he had held the press conference for giving a statement. 

He became ostensibly irked when a senior reporter asked him how he could efficiently work as the city administrator when he “failed to control” prices of dairy products when he was the commissioner of Karachi. 

Mr Shallwani initially opted to remain evasive, but the situation took an unpleasant turn when another reporter repeated the same question as he coldly claimed that the media had appreciated his achievements as commissioner, especially the organising of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in Karachi and the “beautification” of the city.  

“I did not let the prices of milk to go up as long as I remained commissioner”, he snapped and left the conference room as one of the senior reporters tore up his notes in agitation. 

At the outset of the press conference, the KMC administrator said that after taking charge of the post, it was necessary to meet the media representatives so that there would be no lack of communication with the media.  

“Every effort will be made to fulfil the expectations of those who have entrusted me with this responsibility and we all have to work together to improve the city,” he said, adding that it could not be done alone and he needed the advice, cooperation and suggestions for the betterment of the city. 

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2020