Pakistan can’t progress if Karachi isn’t managed well: Imran

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, who is in Karachi on a two-day visit as part of his election drive, termed the metropolis’ development as critical to Pakistan’s progress.

Addressing a gathering of business community on Wednesday, the PTI chief outlined his party’s plans for the city’s development.

“Pakistan cannot progress if its biggest city Karachi isn’t managed well,” said Imran, as he lamented the lack of basic facilities in the megapolis.

The PTI leader said his party, if voted into power, would introduce an empowered local government system in Karachi and take care of the city’s growing water needs by building desalination plants and power projects.

“Pakistan is lagging behind in the world, even in the subcontinent which is [one of the poorest] regions,” he said.

“The nation is in debt like it has never been before.. the rupee is sliding [against the dollar]. People want change. People of Sindh are ready for change.”

Imran also visited different areas of the metropolis today including Malir, Kemari, Qayyumabad, North Karachi as part of his ongoing campaign for the upcoming general election.

"I believe that the long nights will end soon," he promised while addressing workers during his visit. 

It was not necessary for me to contest elections from Karachi as our position in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab is quite strong. "However, Pakistan cannot become great without Karachi," Imran added. 

He shared that he is contesting the election from Karachi because change cannot come till Karachi comes on top.

"We have made a plan to lift Karachi and solve its problems," he said. 

Taking a jibe at his rival parties, PTI chief remarked that Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz have come to time power six times yet they couldn't improve the country's policing system.