Mayor expresses concern over ‘curbing’ KMC’s lease power

The Karachi Mayor expressed his serious reservations on Wednesday over a notification issued by the local government secretary on the issuing of property leases, describing it as a step to further curtail the powers of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.

The notification was issued on February 28 in connection with the Sindh Local Councils (Property) Rules, 2017.

Waseem Akhtar told The News that the notification, if approved by the Sindh chief minister Murad Ali Shah, would completely bring an end to KMC’s sources of income.

 “In other words, it is an attempt to shut down the KMC,” he added.

Akhtar said the new rules would allow exploitation of KMC properties through long-term lease. “The properties will not be available to the KMC, now allowing it to enter into a commercial venture for raising municipal financial resources.”

The mayor said in the larger interest of the KMC, he earnestly requested that certain amendments be introduced in the existing Local Council Property Rules 2017.

The mayor said he believed that the incorporation of certain sub-rules was tantamount to curbing the financial resources of the KMC.

“Collective wisdom is being sacrificed on individual bureaucratic wisdom in violation of the basic fundamental rights as guaranteed in the Constitution of the country.

The mayor said he had suggested some amendments to the local government secretary through a communique.