KMC session chaired by Mayor Waseem Akhtar ends after uproar

KARACHI: Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC)'s city council session on Tuesday chaired by Mayor Waseem Akhtar ended without any proceedings as the opposition interrupted the session with their sloganeering.

In response, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan members raised slogans in favour of the mayor. The opposition members tore agenda copies of the session.  

Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar addressed media after the session.

“There’s no such resolution as the rumours pointed out,” said Akhtar referring to the opposition to his post, adding that today’s was a routine session.

Waseem while referring to the today’s disorder in the session, he said that the banners and chanting of slogans was just to appear in the media.

He said that the parliamentary process is to first let the agenda complete but that didn’t happen.

Earlier, before the session banners in favour of Deputy Mayor Arshad Vohra, and against Mayor Waseem Akhtar were seen outside Karachi Metropolitan Corporation building on Tuesday.

The banner put by unknown people read 'Corrupt mayor unacceptable' and ‘head of corrupt mafia Waseem Akhtar’.

A charged city council session was expected on Tuesday, after the inclusion of Vohra in Pak Sarzameen Party. The deputy mayor announced to end his affiliation with MQM-P in a press conference on Sunday. 

“Unfortunately, I was not able to deliver to the people of Karachi,” he lamented. “We have been quite unjust to the people of Pakistan,” he shared

“I will resign from the post of deputy mayor after completing all the legal formalities,” he added.

When there is no vision there is nothing to do, said Vohra, adding that he tolerated the situation for a year.

The deputy mayor said that the local government leaders for a year complained about the lack of resources. “If we cannot fulfil responsibilities then it is better to leave,” he said.

Vohra joined PSP as he couldn’t sustain pressure, says Sattar

MQM's Farooq Sattar claimed the biggest chunk of MQM supporters is behind him and many of the people who left the party want to come back

Meanwhile, the KMC city council comprises 308 members. MQM-Pakistan holds majority in the council with 205 members, while the opposition stands with the tally of 100 members, which includes 42 members from Pakistan Peoples Party, 27 members of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, 14 members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, 10 of Jammat-e-Islami, four of Jammiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) and three of Awami National Party,

A simple majority is needed to de-seat the mayor or deputy mayor.

Speaking today in Geo Pakistan, MQM-P chief Farooq Sattar said that he had not yet taken any decision to de-seat Vohra from his post in the city council.