Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar urged the Federal Government to announce a special package for the City's development schemes. The Mayor's demand came during Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Governor Engr Iqbal Zaffar Jhagra's visit to his office at Old Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) building here on Wednesday evening.
On this occasion, the Mayor highlighted issues being faced by the resource-constrained local bodies government.
"The city's population is increasing rapidly, but the resources are far less to cope with the civic challenges." the Mayor deplored.
Considering the City's commercial significance, he said "We request the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to announce special development package for Karachi and give the City's due share in the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor."
"Karachiites have expressed their trust in local bodies system and have elected us with greater expectations" We are running short of funds to address their problems ranging from removal of heaps of garbage to provision of clean drinking water, and from education to healthcare.
The Governor on this occasion shared with the Mayor the PM's resolve for development of the Metropolis. "Karachi is the Country's heart, and it can't be neglected," he said.
He said the promises made by PM regarding Karachi, would be fulfilled accordingly.
Deputy Mayor Arshad Vohra, Opposition Leader at the Sindh Assembly Khwaja Izharul Hassan, other Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders - Faisal Sabzwari, Saleem Zia, District Central Chairman Raihan Hashmi, District East Chairman Moeed Anwar, and others were also present on this occasion.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, the Governor said that he would inform the PM about problems highlighted by Waseem Akhtar. Development of Karachi is directly linked with the country's prosperity, he said. The federal government would ensure resources to the LB representatives to enable and strengthen them to resolve the problems of citizens.