Comments in support of
Naimatullah Khan
Mayor of Karachi, Pakistan

The top 10 mayors in World Mayor 2005 were selected equally on the number of votes received and the quality and conviction of supporting statements. Below we publish an edited selection of comments received in support of Naimatullah Khan, former Mayor of Karachi (Pakistan).

Comment: The Mayor has set a pace of development in the city unprecedented in the region. Karachi had the worst possible means of transportation and poor roads when he assumed office as the City Nazim (Mayor). Now a difference can be seen altogether. He has introduced cheap transport and built many parks out of barren land. Many flyovers and link roads have been built or are still in progress. We think that if he continues in the next term he will make further improvements, such as lighting conditions in the city.

Comment: Of all the previous mayors of Karachi in the recent past, Mr. Naimatullah Khan has accomplished the most in terms of developing the city, and not just providing lip-service. In spite of all forms of opposition intended to deter him, he has faithfully tried to fulfill his duties. It is his personal involvement in the running of the city that makes him the ultimate mayor. I love Karachi and it is only people like Mr. Khan who can save it.

Comment: Mr. Khan is a 70+ gentleman, working non-stop to make Karachi (the world's 5th largest city) a little bit more habitable compared with what it was three years ago. I feel that in the present environment and with limited resources, he has done a tremendous job.

Comment: The Mayor made the city clean and beautiful and constructed roads, bridges, flyovers and beautiful parks for the citizens of Karachi.

Comment: The Mayor has changed the city with limited resources available to him. He has built lots of good parks for children and their mothers. He completes his projects on time. He is an example of good governance.

Comment: The Mayor has initiated several projects to improve the overall traffic situation. These include:
1) The Mayor introduced LNG fitted green buses for public transport.
2) Building over-head bridges at several points.
3) Re-laying cemented roads, where required.
4) Started several projects for free health care for poor and needy people.
5) Built Community parks (Family Parks) throughout the city at every neighbourhood.
and carried out many projects for improving the city environment.

Comment: Mr Naimatullah Khan has worked selflessly ever since he was elected mayor. Receiving almost daily threats on his life from rival groups, he continues to work without even having a guard on his own house. He has approved and overseen the completion of numerous recreational projects for families including a huge developmental project at the Clifton beach and Sea View and a large number of model parks. He has contributed largely to the development of the infrastructure of the city - bridges, underpasses, library complexes for women, sports complexes, roads etc.

Comment: I would like to vote Mr. Naimaullah Khan. I am a citizen of Karachi and have been living here for the past 26 years. In my entire life I have not seen developments carried out with the pace, as they have been carried out during Mr. Naimatullah Khan first term of office. One of the most important aspects is that they have been carried out without the need to impose new taxes. The resources were same as those given to the previous government but the results were entirely different. The main reasons for this are his honesty and commitment to the nation.

Comment: Before Mr. Naimatullah Khan, Karachi a metropolitan city of some 15 million people did not know not what was meant by pace of development. The commercial capital had hardly anything to boast about except for the normal hustle and bustle that is a part and parcel of every metropolis. Dirty, muddy and dusty roads welcomed vehicles day in and day out. Traffic jams, sectarian violence, unstable market conditions and unsafe political environments existed. As the world knows, Karachi is one of the most violent cities in the world. Living and working in safety is today possible for the isrt ime in 25 years.

Comment: Mr. Naimatullah Khan has been the most outstanding mayor in all of Pakistan, I think that his contributions are so much that he may be the best mayor of all times in the history of Pakistan, perhaps in Asia as well. He upgraded all facilities, which citizens in allparts of the civilised world take for granted despite the presence of terrorist groups which wanted to hijack / disturb the works done by the Mayor. He has worked against the strongest wind ever faced by a public person. Both thumbs up for his contributions.

Comment: I am a student and have been living in Karachi since I was born. I have seen many mayors during my life and I believe that if Pakistan had more mayors like Mr Naimatullah Khan, the country could be a symbol for peace, love, humanity and generosity in the world. I am very grateful that my country has produced a mayor like him. Thank you.

Comment: Mr. Naimatullah Khan is the only mayor in the history of Karachi who worked so hard and very very sincere to his city and the people. He is reshaping the city and lifting up the standards of the city. People of his age mostly relax at home, but Mr. Naimatullah Khan does not know the word 'relax'. I just wanted to say from the bottom of my heart that we love him and like him very much, and we wish that he again become the Mayor of Karachi because we trust him. God give long, blessed, healthy and prosperous life.

Comment: Mr. Khan is the answer to the prayers of millions of citizens of Karachi. With his endless and sincere efforts in an arena plagued with corruption and nepotism he represents perhaps the last chance of hope for the people of Karachi. With limited resources but with an honest approach, he has started to convert Karachi from a ghetto style to a modern metropolitan city. He stands tall and firm against death threats and mafia styled local groups and he does so to make his hometown a liveable place. The people owe it to him to at least recognize his efforts and commend him for such dedicated services for the betterment of mankind.

Comment: When Mr Naimatullah was elected as Nazim (Mayor) of Karachi I was indeed quite sceptical as ideologically I disagreed with his party's policies on such matters as religion and women’s rights. I thought "here comes another cleric whose answer to all problems is going to be prayer". However, when I look at the past years, I conclude that Mr Naimatullah "the Gentleman mayor" has risen above party lines and concentrated on making life better in Karachi for every one. He is one of the few honest politicians in Karachi and probably in Pakistan itself. Working tirelessly for Karachi with limited funds and a hostile opposition, he faced death threats, administrative hurdles and financial constraints but has delivered more in his term of office than anyone else has done in longer periods in government. He concentrated on the little things that matter such as clean water, rubbish disposal, greenery, schools but also delivered mega projects like Karachi's many new parks, roads, flyovers and improved civic amenities.

You can imagine what running a city of 15 million people must be like, let alone one which has one of the worst law and order records in the country, but Karachi's somewhat new and improved look is a testament to his single handed efforts. I can say that he has definitely won me over and in the next elections I will be voting for him.