Mayor of Karachi Wasim Akhtar has said that he does not have any real mayoral powers. He expressed these views while talking to media during his visit to the Allama Iqbal's Tomb and a hospital here on Friday. He further said that the power should be devolved to the lowest level of governance, but unfortunately this is not happening in the country. "I am mayor but without any powers," he added.
Talking about his party, he said that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is the second largest party of Karachi while it is the fourth largest in the country; but it has lost value due to internal differences. "The party will not disappear; however it is going through challenging time that all political parties face. The MQM is still strong; we had in the past successfully faced challenges and we will do it again. Our mandate is intact," he added. Commenting on the solid waste management in Karachi, the Mayor of Karachi admitted that it was unsatisfactory, but now is the time to take an action to resolve the issue rather than making plans.
On the occasion, he appealed to President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to resolve the electricity crisis in Karachi, as the people are suffering due to power shortage in the biggest city of Pakistan. He held the federal government is responsible for the load-shedding.