PTI, JI intensify bid to unseat Karachi mayor

KARACHI: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) have intensified efforts to move a no-confidence motion against Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, indicating a coordinated attempt by the two opposition parties to unseat him.

A meeting between PTI Sindh and JI Karachi leaders was held at Idara Noor-i-Haq on Tuesday, where the two sides discussed their strategy and numerical position in the City Council.

The PTI delegation was headed by Sindh chapter president Haleem Adil Sheikh, while JI was represented by Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan and City Council Opposition Leader Saifuddin Advocate.

Leaders of both parties said they were on the same page over bringing a no-confidence motion against the mayor. They described Wahab’s election as controversial and termed his performance unsatisfactory.

They said Karachi’s situation had deteriorated during his tenure, alleging that residents continued to face core civic problems including water scarcity, sanitation issues and traffic mismanagement.

The participants also criticised what they called weak administration in major municipal institutions, including the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and other civic bodies.

Joint strategy discussed

During the meeting, PTI and JI leaders said their move was intended to improve governance in the city. According to them, Karachi’s issues had reached an alarming stage and needed immediate corrective action.

They said removing the current mayor was necessary to place the city back on the path of development.

The two parties also reviewed their standing in the City Council and discussed efforts to secure backing from other political groups.

The leaders expressed satisfaction over ongoing contacts and said they were optimistic about obtaining the required numbers to move the motion.

The latest meeting signals closer coordination between PTI and JI in the City Council as they work to finalise their plan for challenging the mayor’s position.

Both sides maintained that their objective was to address Karachi’s worsening municipal problems through a change in city leadership.