KARACHI: Administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Monday said that the provincial government had enacted a very balanced local government law, which was being made controversial by those who wanted to escape from the upcoming LG elections.

“The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, which used to leave the government every third day in alliance with the Pakistan Peoples Party, has not parted ways with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government even after sharp rise in petrol, gas and electricity prices nor did Jamaat-i-Islami hold sit-in on these issues,” he said while addressing a news conference in Sindh Assembly Committee Room.

The administrator, who is also provincial government’s spokesman and chief minister’s law adviser, said that opposition parties in Sindh wanted to escape from LG elections. “They will not find a way to escape. Don’t make the local government law controversial,” he added.

He said that the PPP did not demand inclusion of federal ministers on the Exit Control List but it was PTI MNA Noor Alam who made this demand.

He said that there was an acute shortage of gas in the province as it was not available for people. “PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is coming out against the failed federal government,” he added.

He recalled that the MQM had left the PPP government for many times over rising petrol prices. “Why are they (MQM-P) sitting in the federal government now? Why don’t they quit the federal government over increase in petroleum price,” he asked.

He said that the country was going through a critical period in its history as petrol and electricity prices hiked after mini budget.

He said that the protest launched by the PTI, MQM-P and Grand Democratic Alliance against the Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2021 was rejected by people.

Replying to a question, he said: “Now I am the administrator of the city, I am not wadera... I am son of Karachi, I am the son of Sindh and I am the son of Pakistan. I am trying my best to fulfil the responsibility entrusted to me by my party and will continue to serve this city without any discrimination.”

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2022