LAHORE: Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has said that comparing Lahore and Karachi in political debates is not appropriate, emphasizing that Karachi requires significant financial resources to stand on its own feet and address its long-standing urban challenges.
Speaking during a visit to the WASA (Water and Sanitation Agency) headquarters in Lahore, Wahab stated that while Karachi faces infrastructure issues, including drainage during rainfall, the city’s roads are typically cleared within two to three hours after rain. He stressed that instead of comparisons, cities should collaborate and learn from each other’s experiences.
“We are signing an agreement with WASA Lahore and will adopt some of their strategies,” Wahab said, adding that cities around the world share administrative expertise to improve governance and service delivery. He noted that such cooperation can help both Karachi and Lahore better serve their residents.
The mayor also invited Punjab’s Housing Minister Bilal Yaseen to visit Karachi and observe ongoing development projects firsthand. He praised Lahore as a vibrant and green city but reiterated that ground realities differ significantly between the two urban centers, making direct comparisons misleading.
Highlighting ongoing initiatives, Wahab said that Karachi is working on projects to utilize water for industrial purposes and to conserve and supply clean water to residents more effectively. He pointed out that while WASA Lahore has increased tariffs, Karachi has not followed a similar approach.
Wahab further stated that both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), under Bilawal Bhutto, and the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), under Maryam Nawaz, are working toward improving urban infrastructure and governance.
On the occasion, Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yaseen expressed willingness to share Lahore’s administrative and technical expertise with Karachi. He said WASA Lahore would extend full cooperation to its Karachi counterparts, whether in managing rainfall or addressing other civic challenges.
Yaseen added that Lahore’s systems, including its Safe City control room, allow authorities to monitor not only the city but the entire province of Punjab in real time. He acknowledged Wahab’s efforts, stating that the Karachi mayor had come to Lahore with a genuine commitment to improving the lives of the city’s nearly 30 million residents.
