Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar on Tuesday asked Karachiites not to pay taxes to the Sindh government for its alleged failure to meet people's civic needs. The unexpected statement from him came at a time when Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is already engaged in the federally-sponsored Clean Karachi Campaign. "Chief Minister Sindh is responsible for the garbage heaps and sewage overflows," the Mayor said, adding that Murad Ali Shah is holding the charge of chairman of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) and Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KW&SB) -departments responsible for the supply of water and sanitation of the port city.
"Karachiites pay 350 billion rupees in taxes but their problems are not addressed by anyone," Wsaeem told media after the launch of cleanliness drive in Malir, Saudabad areas with the collaboration of Bahria Town. "I would say to people of Karachi that they stop paying taxes to the Sindh government," he insisted. In a prompt response, the Provincial Adviser to CM on Information Murtaza Wahab lashed out at Mayor for his advice to people.
Speaking to media, he said, on the one hand Prime Minister Imran Khan and his entire federal cabinet are encouraging people to pay taxes so that the country can pay off its debts and start the journey of progress, but on the other, a Mayor from the ruling coalition at the center is asking people not to pay taxes. The provincial minister slammed Akhtar for his advice and said: "You should be ashamed of yourself, there can be political differences among us but nothing is more important than Pakistan."
"Such statements do not serve Pakistan or its people at all," he said. The rift between civic body and provincial government could adversely affect the Clean Karachi drive which has been launched by the federal maritime affairs minister Ali Zaidi on the special directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan. In post-Edul Azha, Karachi presents a pathetic picture as its streets are still littered with garbage and sacrificial animals' waste, while the concerned authorizes, instead of making coordinated efforts to resolve the issues, are busy playing the blame-game.
The recent rains have also compounded the woes of Karachiites by devastating the entire sewerage system of the port city with various city neighborhoods are still inundated with filthy water. They fear an outbreak of epidemics.
The most affected neighborhoods include Garden, Soldier Bazar, a Portion of PECHS Block-6, Administration Society, North Nazimabad, Malir's Jafar-e-Tayyar Society, Ghazi Town, Bakra Pedi Road, Keamari, Lyari and Safoora Goth. The Federal Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi has underscored the need for declaring a 'sanitary emergency' in Karachi.
Mayor said the stagnant water on streets was not of rains, but sewage overflow and the problem would be solved only when the KWSB and solid waste management board are streamlined. The both departments have been kept by the chief minister to himself. SSWMB spent Rs 24 billion but still tons of garbage litter Karachi's streets, he said.
He said the Sindh government would be held responsible if contagious diseases are spread in the city as this would result in thousands of deaths. He said the chief secretary cancelled the contract of SSWMB in District East "which is a proof of its failure". Bahria Town Commander Zulfiqar Ahmed said his company is also extending its cooperation with the KMC with some 50 dumper trucks on the request of Mayor Karachi to clean the area.
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