CM Sindh should negotiate for mayor's powers: Khawaja Izhar

KARACHI: Leader of Opposition in Sindh Assembly Khawaja Izhar Hassan said on Wednesday that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah should negotiate to provide the powers of the new mayor of Karachi. 

Speaking to media personnel, Khawaja Izhar claimed that both Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Murad Ali Shah had promised to negotiate and cooperate with regard to the issue of Karachi mayor's rights and authority. 

"Strengthen the chairman and mayor and they will in turn provide strength to the Chief Minister," said Khawaja Izhar. "If work gets done in the city and Karachi develops, the credit will go to the Chief Minister," he said. 

Izhar said that it was not the responsibility or the job of the Chief Minister to look after the cleaning process of drains and streams. Commenting on MQM's nominated mayor Waseem Akhtar, Izhar said that the allegations on Akhtar were unfounded. 

"It would be difficult for Waseem Akhtar to serve as mayor from the jail," said Izhar. "Conduct a fair, transparent trial and give Akhtar the opportunity to serve the people of Karachi," he said. 

He urged every party in Pakistan to support MQM in their demand for the rights of mayor in Karachi. Khawaja Izhar said that he would talk to the Chief Minister and discuss the issue of the rights of mayor. Commenting on Dr Amir Liaquat Hussain, Khawaja Izhar said that he wished Dr Amir would strengthen the part. He assured that all reservations and grievances of Amir Liaquat Hussain would be cleared. 

Khawaja Izhar said that the city was moving towards peace hence everyone will benefit from it. He said that Nasreen Jalil was a senior representative of the party and that she had made her statements earlier in another context. 

Khawaja Izhar also said that it had been clearly stated that now Rabita Committee Pakistan would take all decisions.