Mayor lays foundation stone for Baldia Town sports complex

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Thursday laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art sports complex worth Rs1.4 billion in Baldia Town.

Terming the sports complex a gift to the people of District Keamari, he said it was a testament to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s commitment to public welfare. Speaking to media representatives at the ceremony, Wahab said federal institutions must play their part in resolving Karachi’s longstanding problems and lamented that the city had been ignored in the federal budget.

Addressing the prime minister directly, the mayor said, “We have submitted a request on the Governor of Sindh’s recommendation, please approve it and release Rs100 billion in development funds for Karachi.”

He called on federal ministers from Karachi, including Mustafa Kamal and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, to convey this message to the prime minister, federal planning minister and finance minister, stressing that federal entities had a stake in the city and must contribute to its development.

Appealing for cross-party cooperation, Wahab invited members of the Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to join hands for the betterment of the city. “Let us fight the case of this city together. We need to move beyond divisive politics for the greater good,” he said.

Highlighting the scope of the Baldia Town Sports Complex, Wahab said the project would include facilities for football, cricket, hockey, futsal, tennis and basketball, an indoor games block, racing tracks, gymnasium, walking area, family park, and children’s play area.

“This ground was in a dilapidated state. Today, we’re transforming it into a modern facility. The difference is not in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) or the area, it’s in the leadership,” he remarked, referring to the role played by local MPA Liaquat Askani for actualising the project.

The mayor promised that the project would be completed and opened for the public within six months. “This is Bilawal Bhutto’s promise in action to devolve authority and spend resources on the people. We are delivering.”

On the issue of water scarcity in the locality, Wahab revealed that the government was bringing a new canal from the Hub Dam to address the area’s severe shortages. “I assured the party chairman this would be completed in a year,” he said, adding that the new canal’s inauguration was expected on August 14.

He also underscored the PPP’s governance approach, stating, “Power is a trust of the people and must be used for their benefit. Karachi is Pakistan’s economic and industrial engine. The federal government should support the KMC.”

Responding to a reporter's question, he clarified his recent remarks about Maryam Nawaz. “I haven’t criticised Maryam Nawaz. I only said I don’t have the resources to run ad campaigns. Please, don’t compare a mayor with a chief minister.”

He added that Azma Bukhari seemingly wanted tensions between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. “I have no issue with Punjab progressing, but the same courtesy should be extended to Sindh. Should I stay silent when my city is treated unfairly? I’m not part of MQM. I raise my voice for Karachi.”

Wahab reiterated his call for serious efforts to resolve the city’s challenges. “If the prime minister cannot allocate funds, at least grant the NOC so the bridge construction in Malir can proceed.”

He noted that the Sindh government would present its budget on Friday (today), followed by the KMC’s own budget. Compared to the past, he said, the KMC’s revenue had increased by a factor of three.

The mayor said he never promised to turn Karachi into Paris. “I’m only trying to restore the greatness this city once had. With support from the Sindh government, the Water Corporation is committed to augmenting the K-IV project. But if the federal government doesn’t even allocate 10 per cent of the cost, how can it be completed? Despite all odds, I will continue representing my city,” he said. Karachi Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, MPA Liaquat Askani and other elected representatives attended the ceremony.