A former Karachi mayor and MNA Abdul Sattar Afghani of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) died on Saturday morning in a private hospital, he was 76. He was under treatment for kidney disease for last one week. He is the first ever candidate to have been elected twice as a mayor in 1979 and 1983, serving for eight years in the office.
He was elected member of the National Assembly in 2002 general elections by defeating MQM candidate Nasreen Jalil, who Naib Nazim in Karachi. Abdul Sattar Afghani was hailing from Lyari, still a backward part of the metropolis where he spent his entire life. He was born in 1930 in Karachi.
He has been chairman of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB) and member of governing body of Karachi Development Authority (KDA). For his credibility and honesty, Karachiites called him "Father of Karachi" as he has several distinctions on carrying out development projects in the metropolis.
The major projects during his tenure included the development of Safari Park, establishment of sewerage and water systems in the Katchi Abadis and setting up pedestrian bridges, etc. His funeral will be offered at Lyari Kukri Ground on Sunday, and will be laid to rest at Mewa Shah Graveyard.
Meanwhile, City District Council Karachi has unanimously adopted a condolence resolution in which Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil and councillors from treasury and opposition benches expressed deep sorrow over Afghani's death. They paid homage and acclaimed him for his superior services he rendered during his eight years tenure as mayor for the development of Karachi.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Majeed Aziz, Senior Vice President A. Abdullah Zaki, Vice President Saqib Naseem have also condoled Afghani's death.