Posted on: rupeenews.com
From a small sleepy village on the Arabian sea Kolochi Jo Goth, Karachi became a major center of trade and commerce during the American Civil War when cotton from the Southern States could not reach the heart of the Industrial Revolution in Manchester England. At the time cotton was grown and harvested in Pakistani Punjab and shipped via the new port of Karachi—thus began the race with Bombay. The capital of the new province of Sindh, Karachi is strategically located in the Arabian sea on the cross roads of the Middle East and South Asia.
KARACHI, Nov 9: The Foreign Policy magazine of the United States has chosen Karachi Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal as the second among the best three mayors in the world for 2008.
Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit and Chongqing Mayor Wang Hongju were the other two “mayors of the moment”, a press release issued by the Karachi City District Government said.
The magazine said:“No city globalises on its own, but with shrewd investments and smart urban planning, a mayor can help turn a regional player into a global powerhouse. Here’s how three of the world’s top mayors are climbing the ladder.”
The ‘Foreign Policy’, which is published by the State Group, a division of the Washington Post.Newsweek Interactive, LLC, said that the mayor of Karachi was an unlikely poster child for innovative urban planning.
It said:“The 36-year-old Syed Mustafa Kamal governs a city that’s more often in the news for religious violence than cosmopolitan ways. But the hard-charging Kamal is looking to change all that. He’s courting foreign investment, encouraging international ties, and boosting the city’s tourism.”
According to the magazine, Mr Kamal is not shy about his goals: He has said he wants to turn Karachi into the next Dubai. His ‘Green Karachi’ project aims to plant thousands of trees in the city. He has threatened to arrest anyone who tries to cut down the new saplings, it added.
Mr Kamal, however, gives all credit for this feat to his party leader Altaf Hussain who, he says, selected the representatives from lower and middle classes that represent 98 per cent of the country’s population.
In a statement, he said it was also the recognition of the philosophy of the MQM and the 30-year struggle of its leader. APP: Mustafa Kamal second best mayor in the world
The first capital of Pakistan, Karachi is the center of commerce and currency of Pakistan–a huge metropolis. It is the biggest Pathan city in the world, and home to millions of Muhajirs of Pakistan. Karachi has moved into the big league. Its arteries expanded, its bridges rebuilt and improved, its flyovers rivaling the 1st world, it mayor recognized as one of the best on the planet.
Karachi still has its slums and its traffic jams, like all major cities of the world, but none has the energy and zeal to solve its problems.
He said that in the past there was no concept of ownership in Karachi. However,“we owned this city and carried out development works on a large scale. A lot of work is still to be done and the city is still far from the concept of an ideal city.”
Mr Kamal said that despite all the obstacles and challenges and difficulties faced by his team, he had never let down the people and would not do so in future.
He said there was no single command and control authority for Karachi, adding that 13 organisations were controlling the city’s municipal affairs which had made the situation very difficult for its development.“We have contacted everyone from top to bottom who has anything to do with the policy and decision making and now they should pay attention to this.”—APP. Mustafa Kamal second best mayor in the world
4 Comments
November 12, 2008 at 5:37 pm
[...] He said that in the past there was no concept of ownership in Karachi. However,“we owned this city and carried out development works on a large scale. Read more [...]
November 12, 2008 at 5:47 pm
[...] Karachi Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal as the second among the best three mayors in the world for 2008. View post Add your [...]
November 13, 2008 at 4:59 am
Respected Syed Mustafa Kamal
it is pleasure for me to add my comments here for your goodself
in the last month i visited Karachi after about four years, i was very surprised to see the Karachi now as it is totally changed karachi as before, i observed that there is no trafic jam as before and i have listened from my friends about your personality that Mr. Mustafa Kamal has developed Karachi city in reality and has taken very bold steps regarding development purpose.
now after reading this article i am very happy to know that you are awarded as the second good mayor in the world, and very please that there is still persons in Pakistan who are sincere with pakistan and people of Pakistan.
May God Bless you and give you more strength to do best for Pakistan.
best regards
Nadeem Pervaiz
November 18, 2008 at 2:58 am
Amazing and Marvellous Job done. Allama Iqbal said a long time ago, Zara Num ho to yeh Matti barri Zarkhaiz hay Saqi. Please do appreciate as much as we can such personalities so that they should carry on with more and more their generous power. Beside this other many millions will wake up too (all those dishearted or shy to come forward to assist, recover, rebuild, rescue and resecure our beloved PAKISTAN).
If possible Allama Iqbal should be taught from school levels, because his shahry is the True Tafseer of Holy Quraan Majeed. Through his shahry if we be able to woke up our KHUDDI believe me every child or person of this country will be Syed Mustafa Kamal.