The Sindh government has sacked the Karachi administrator because the reconciliation talks between the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and its estranged former ally, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), have reached a deadlock, Pakistan Today has learnt.
According to sources, City Administrator Fazlur Rehman was appointed after the tenure of the elected district mayors, also known as nazims, had expired after an extension due to reconciliation between the PPP and the MQM in February last year.
Sources said that Rehman, who was formerly the local government secretary and politically affiliated with the MQM, had been recommended by the former coalition partner for the city administrator position, whereas Aftab Khatri, the then district coordination officer (DCO), had been recommended for the Hyderabad administrator position.
They said that Rehman was running the affairs of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) under the direct supervision of MQM-backed Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and MQM Coordination Committee member Raza Haroon, whereas Khatri also reported directly to the governor and the local leadership of the MQM.
However, after the MQM parted ways with the ruling government, the provincial government revived the old commissionerate system on July 8, widening the gap between the two parties, they added.
Sources said that Rehman was the only official who was transferred and directed to report to the Services General Administration & Coordination Department (SGA&CD).
However, soon after the Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2011 was promulgated following reconciliation between the two parties, Rehman was made the administrator again, but he has been directed to report to the SGA&CD once more, the sources added.
They said that a notification for the removal of the city administrator has been issued by the SGA&CD and Karachi DCO Mohammad Hussain Syed has been given the additional charge of administrator.
