Wasim Akhtar's efforts go in vain

A broadening division in MQM-P has finally brought the civic representatives in disarray with the mayor, as Wasim Akhtar yelled after a majority of committees chairmen shunned attending a meeting he called at the KMC sports complex on Tuesday. The angry mayor gave a shame to opponent group led by Farooq Sattar for telephoning the chairmen to apart from meeting.
"It is not your [Farooq Sattar group] stature to call in chairmen for staying away from meeting," he told some local body representatives during the meeting. He also warned civic departments' officials to stay in offices and perform duties honestly, or quit jobs and do politics. "No politics allowed while in office," he made it clear, saying that the city confronts tons of problems from sewerage and drinking water crisis to garbage spillage.
"Each city council member was given Rs 2.5 million for development schemes in their unions," he claimed, saying that his city government has earmarked the uplift schemes in the ADP, which the councillors had proposed. The political players should limit their 'dirty' game to themselves and let the local bodies' representative work for the betterment of city, Waseem said adding that he has no fear of being de-seated from the position as majority of the council members stand with him.
He also asked Karachiites to judge who is creating confusion in current political scenario. "The entire Pakistan knows me as Mayor of Karachi and I will continue to work for the people of this city," he said.
"It's not a 'power show' but normal meeting. I hold such meetings with the council members time to time to take their valuable suggestions and recommendations regarding development schemes in the metropolis and other affairs, the mayor said. It may be relevant to mention here that MQM-P was divided into two factions over a difference of opinion among leaders concerning issuance of ticket to contest forthcoming Senate elections to Kamran Tessori.
A group having majority of MQM-P leaders, led by Amir Khan had declared Bahadurabad office as the centre of political organization while Dr Farooq Sattar, joined by some 11 party leaders, insisted that the party stands its ground against the dissidents and would be operated in PIB Colony office. Waseem Akhtar supports the Bahadurabad group of the party.