KARACHI: Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab announced his resignation from office after a high court restricted Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) from collecting taxes through city’s power utility. Announcement to quit came on heels of a Sindh High Court ruling that temporarily barred KMC from gathering municipal taxes through electricity bills. Murtaza Wahab was appointed KMC administrator on August 6, 2021. Addressing a press conference, a dismayed Wahab lamented court decision and said, “It would have been easier for me to ask prime minister and chief minister for funds, but I did not, as I believe way of law is only solution.” “Constitution and law of land have a solution for everything.”

He said as per relevant law, metropolitan corporation was authorised to impose taxes. “When city roads are submerged, nobody knocks on Waseem Akhtar or Naeem-ur-Rehman’s door and citizens question me, government and KMC for answers,” he added.  He claimed papers showed recovery rate during Waseem Akhtar’s time was only 20 percent. “Where was money going then?” Hinting at rampant corruption during time of former mayor, he said Waseem Akhtar had hired a private contractor to collect taxes.

“Once they collected Rs 200 million and were given Rs 40 million,” he alleged. He claimed his hands were clean and asserted he fought dirt in system at cost of his rightful comfort. He said his mistake was that instead of his pocket, he loved KMC. “There are forces at work here that doesn’t let us do our job efficiently. It’s not easy to work in this city as everything is resisted here.” He said would send his resignation to Chief Minister Sindh after this press conference.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 27 2022

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