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Farooq Sattar Slams Sindh Govt, Mayor Wahab Over Karachi’s Stalled Projects
MQM-P’s Dr Farooq Sattar blasts Sindh govt & Mayor Murtaza Wahab over stalled projects like K-IV, Red Line BRT, Malir Expressway & underpasses, calling the govt “infertile” in development.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-09-24
Farooq Sattar Slams Sindh Govt, Mayor Wahab Over Karachi’s Stalled Projects

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Dr Farooq Sattar on Wednesday lashed out at the Sindh government and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, accusing them of deliberately stalling crucial development projects in the city and failing to deliver on promises made to residents.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Sattar pointed to long-standing infrastructure challenges, including the delayed K-IV water supply scheme, the Red Line bus corridor, the Malir Expressway, and incomplete roadworks such as the Karimabad underpass. He said the projects remain suspended due to funding gaps, bureaucratic hurdles, utility relocation delays, and poor coordination among government bodies.

Criticism of Green Line BRT Halt

Sattar strongly criticized the suspension of the Rs6 billion federally funded Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) extension. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), backed by the PPP-led Sindh government, had halted the project citing the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation Ltd’s (PIDCL) failure to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC).

Dismissing the excuse, Sattar said:

“An excuse was made that a NOC was not obtained, and that is why work was stopped. I think this is all an inter-departmental problem. The KMC is a government department, and the Sindh government has been elected by the people.”

He argued that all necessary approvals for the project had already been granted in 2017 and alleged the real reason for halting the project was to deny MQM credit for its initiation.

‘Infertile Government’ Allegation

The MQM leader did not hold back, quipping that if the provincial government or the Karachi mayor ever completed a project, “there should be an award worth thousands of dollars for them.”

He likened the provincial government’s handling of the K-IV water project to a chicken sitting on an egg for years without producing results.

“From 2008 to 2022, they sat on this project similar to how a chicken sits on an egg for 21 days. However, they sat for 14 years on the first phase of the K-IV project and still did not complete it,” he said.

Calling the Sindh government “infertile,” he said Karachi residents should not expect relief or project completion under its watch.

Other Stalled Works and Damages

Sattar also highlighted other incomplete projects, including the abandoned Gulistan-i-Jauhar underpass and the promised but unfulfilled Korangi Causeway flyover. He also pointed to damage on Shahrah-i-Bhutto during recent rainfall, warning that if such damage had occurred post-construction, it could have endangered lives and vehicles.

Demand for Accountability

He demanded that the Sindh government and Karachi mayor seek forgiveness from the people for their repeated failures and neglect of the metropolis.

His remarks echo criticism made last month by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who himself pointed to delays in the K-IV water project, urging the federal government to show “the same efficiency in Karachi as it does in Lahore.”

Meanwhile, the Sindh government has defended its position, saying delays stem from inadequate allocations in the federal budget, and it is reviewing the entire budget to address Karachi’s needs.
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