KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Chief, Monem Zafar Khan launched a blistering attack on the ruling parties on Monday, alleging that the city’s mayor was imposed through “mandate theft” with the backing of Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Addressing a press conference, Zafar claimed the Pakistan Peoples’ Party had “devastated” Karachi during its 18-year rule in Sindh, leaving half the city without access to clean drinking water. He asserted that the current mayor had become a source of suffering for residents after being brought to power by “murdering democracy.” The JI leader highlighted severe infrastructure failures, specifically criticizing the Karimabad underpass project. He stated that Rs4 billion had been spent over three years to construct “two narrow 18-foot-wide lanes,” an amount he said could have paved 4,000 streets across the metropolis. He also pointed to the failure of the Rs12.8 billion Hub Canal-2 project, which was meant to supply an additional 100 million gallons of water per day (MGD) but was now delivering only 40-45 MGD, leaving areas like Orangi Town, Baldia, and SITE without relief. Major initiatives like the K-4 water scheme and the Karachi Circular Railway remain incomplete, he added. The JI Karachi Chief criticized both the MQM and PPP, calling them historic partners in “crime and corruption” who engage in “friendly fire” while colluding to control the city’s resources. He announced that JI would intensify its “Haq Do Karachi” movement after Eid, vowing to bring a no-confidence motion against the mayor. Citing Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) data, Monem painted a grim picture of law and order, reporting 9,448 street crimes in the past two months, including over 6,000 motorcycle thefts and 2,500 mobile snatchings, which resulted in 15 deaths. He added that more than 2,100 traffic accidents occurred in the last 70 days, over 70 involving heavy vehicles. He questioned the utilization of development funds, noting that after spending Rs3.36 trillion on Karachi over 15 years, the Sindh government had allocated only Rs68 billion this year. He demanded an explanation from Bilawal Bhutto regarding the incomplete Safe City project and criticized lengthy power outages during Ramadan, warning the situation would worsen in the summer. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026