Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and a newscaster argued live on air on Tuesday over the post-rain situation in the city, where heavy downpours inundated several roads, including the main artery, Shahrah-e-Faisal.

 

 

The debate erupted after the anchor contested Wahab’s recent post on X (formerly Twitter), in which he wrote: “Visited the last point of Soldier Baazaar Naala. The creek is taking rain water well and is being drained out at a fast speed. Whichever choking points get identified, are being addressed by the team (sic).”

 

In another post, the mayor wrote that he visited II Chundrigar Road, which was also clear, adding, “Traffic can be seen to be moving normally after heavy rain. There is some water on the sides which is being brushed out. The area of Tower is also clear while some water around the internal streets of old city area is also being pumped out.”

 

The newscaster emphasized that following the downpour in Karachi, the situation on the roads, particularly on Shahrah-e-Faisal, deteriorated, which she described as resembling a river.

 

“Have you never seen such a situation in Karachi before?” Wahab asked. The newscaster replied, “We have never seen such scenes on Shahrah-e-Faisal.”

 

Urging not to "sensationalise" the conversation on live television, the mayor said, “I don't want to argue with you.”

 

Complaining about the tone of the newscaster, the mayor concluded by saying that it would be better for him not to respond to her questions.

 

Tuesday’s heavy monsoon rains lashed the city of lights, claiming at least six lives, flooding neighbourhoods, and leaving people frustrated and stranded.

 

The provincial administration, owing to the severity of the situation, announced a public holiday in Karachi on Wednesday (today).

 

Meanwhile, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) said in a statement that despite the intensity of the downpour, the “metropolis returned to normalcy following the timely measures and directives issued by Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab”.