Karachi may soon join Lahore in hosting a Basant festival, as Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced plans to organize a kite-flying event to welcome spring. He said the city administration is considering venues such as Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim and Benazir Bhutto Park for the Basant mela, which could take place in the coming weeks. Wahab noted that Basant has once again become a popular topic of conversation, and the city wants to channel that enthusiasm into a public celebration.
In a statement that drew attention, the mayor clarified that he was referring to the traditional Basant festival, not the “kite” associated with the election symbol of Altaf Hussain’s banned political party. He emphasized that the cultural event should not be linked to political symbols, describing the political kite as one that has already been “cut off.”
Wahab also urged what he called “conspiratorial elements” to stop creating obstacles, stressing that people should be allowed to celebrate and the city should be made more vibrant without being pulled into unnecessary controversy.
During the same conversation, the mayor criticized the federal government for not contributing to Karachi’s development, claiming it was spending nothing on the city. He stated that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation was spending Rs. 46 billion, and that total spending in the city would reach Rs. 80 billion this year. He also claimed that the Sindh government, backed by the PPP, was allocating around Rs. 300 billion for Karachi-related development works.
Wahab called for broader cooperation and said the prime minister should also play a role in supporting Karachi. He suggested that even voices within MQM were acknowledging the need to strengthen local government institutions, adding that criticism alone does not solve problems and that action is needed.
He also hinted at political pressure surrounding the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, saying talk of a no-confidence move increased after reports that KMC accounts had received billions of rupees.
