KARACHI: The Sindh government would appoint the new city administrator in consultation with the Muttahida Quami Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) after a recent understanding reached between two sides that would lead to strengthen the local government system in the province, said a key member of the provincial cabinet on Monday.

Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani said that the amendments incorporated into the provincial local government (LG) laws over concerns of political stakeholders would ensure that the elected mayors and chairmen of municipal agencies in the province got powers to manage different civic matters in their areas.

“The administrator replacing Murtaza Wahab would definitely be appointed in consultation with the MQM-P,” he said while talking to reporters at a ceremony held to handover fumigation vehicles and distribute health cards to the municipal staffers belonging to Jamshed Zone of the District Municipal Corporation, East, in the city.

“Things have moved forward and the PPP has also given space to political parties despite the fact that it doesn’t need anyone’s support for the provincial government. But under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, we believe in bringing people closer and not creating any divide.”

He said that after completion of the devolution of powers, the elected LG representatives would be able to discharge their duties to serve the masses without any support from the Sindh government.

He said that whoever would replace Barrister Murtaza Wahab as the next mayor or administrator of Karachi would serve the people of the city.

He predicted that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) would suffer a crushing defeat in the next general elections in the country. He told the journalists that Imran Khan had become a chapter of the political history of Pakistan. He, however, said talks could be held between the government and the PTI if the latter showed seriousness on that issue.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2022