KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari has issued a stern warning to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, demanding urgent action to improve the city’s deteriorating condition.
This development was revealed by senior anchor Muhammad Malick during his appearance on ARY News’ program “Khabar Muhammad Malick Kay Saath.”
Sources indicate that President Zardari, along with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has been in Karachi over the past few days. During private meetings, he reportedly expressed his frustration with the leadership over Karachi’s worsening issues and questioned what barriers they faced in securing funds or authority to address these problems.
President Zardari is reportedly deeply concerned about mounting criticism from the media and social platforms, which often compare Karachi unfavorably to Lahore. To address these concerns, he has set a strict three-month deadline for the Sindh government to implement meaningful reforms in Karachi. The aim is to see a reduction in public grievances and tangible progress within this period.
He also expressed displeasure over the slow pace of development projects across the city, urging the chief minister and mayor to seek assistance from Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on fast-tracking infrastructure initiatives like underpasses. He reportedly questioned why, while underpasses can be constructed in as little as 60 days elsewhere, Karachi’s road projects are delayed for years.
Additionally, Zardari’s camp reportedly voiced strong disapproval regarding the recent Karachi Conference held at the Governor House by Governor Kamran Tessori. While the PPP may support certain aspects of the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment, it has made it clear that discussions about creating a new province are off the table. There is also speculation about a possible change in the governor’s position in the near future.
