Karachi administrator Murtaza Wahab announces resignation from office

Karachi: Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui announced on Monday that he was resigning from office.

The announcement came after a high court restricted the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) from collecting taxes through the city's power utility.

Wahab was appointed KMC administrator on August 6, 2021.

Speaking at a press conference, Wahab criticised the court decision. “It would have been easier for me to ask the prime minister and the chief minister for funds, but I did not, as I believe the way of the law is the only solution,” he said.

He said as per the relevant law the metropolitan corporation was authrorised to impose taxes.

“When the city roads are submerged, nobody knocks on Waeem Akhtar or Naeem-ur-Rehman’s door, the citizens question me, the government, and the KMC for answers,” Wahab added. 

The PPP leader said as per the relevant law the metropolitan corporation was authrorised to impose taxes.

“When the city roads are submerged, nobody knocks on Waeem Akhtar or Naeem-ur-Rehman’s door. People question me, the government, and the KMC,” Wahab added.

He claimed papers showed the recovery rate during Waseem Akhtar’s time was only 20 percent. “Where was the money going then?”

Wahab lashed out at the rampant corruption during the time of the former mayor of the coastal city, saying Waseem Akhtar had hired a private contractor to collect the taxes.

“Once they collected Rs200 million and were given Rs40 million,” he alleged.