Karachi: Mayor Murtaza Wahab, under the administrative control of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), launched a major project for reconstruction and rehabilitation and guaranteed a full restoration within 60 days.
He strongly criticized his political rivals while announcing KMC’s development spending this year at Rs 28 billion, accusing his critics of spreading negative propaganda rather than working for the city.
“Some people woke up at 11 a.m. just to hold a press conference and spread despair among the public as we work for the city day and night,” the mayor said in the media in the Korangi area.
He added: “I will not let anyone engage in hypocritical politics. We are not sitting in Islamabad, but the people of Karachi to serve them.”
Mr Wahab, who provided the details, said Rs 20,000 crore of city improvements had been allocated in this year’s budget, while the total number of projects in the city was Rs 4 billion.
Wahab criticizes opponents for “spreading despair” rather than serving citizens
He highlighted the major works ongoing, including K-IV Water Project And to build bridges in Murghi Khana, Shah Faisal colony and cattle colony. He also confirmed that work on the ICI bridge will begin soon.
The mayor, accompanied by the city council leader Karamullah Waqasi, defended the government’s strategic decisions, such as installing expensive pavers in areas with prone to drainage problems. He described it as a “sustainable solution” and stressed that politics will be more important than financial constraints.
“Money is not a problem; the real problem is intention. Words do nothing; we have to take practice steps.”
Mr Wahab reiterated that KMC is recovering 106 roads across the city after the recent rainfall and that work will be completed within 60 days. “When our people wake up in the morning, they discover new roads. Even at 2 a.m., our team is working,” he said, adding that the repair project is active in all areas of Karachi.
He highlighted his personal commitment to the project, saying: “I will work late in the city and I will check it out.”
Later, the mayor visited Queen Sadar Market and personally inspected the reconstruction of Shahrah-i-liaquat. He said the work has already started at Queens Market, Preeedy Street and Sharea Faisal, while KMC has also built the roads on the Malir Kala board and Khokhrapar.
The mayor calls on the public to be alert and participate, urging citizens to report any negligence they observe. “We ask citizens to contact us wherever they see any shortcomings,” he said.
He also stressed the government’s commitment to accountability, noting: “I have a responsibility to the people of Karachi and will not compromise on transparency.”
Mr Wahab pointed out that KMC also works within its jurisdiction. The mayor added: “The people of Karachi have the right to question us and we will definitely answer them because this is our city and we are its real customs people.”
He said that although the roads in the model colony town belong to the town government, the KMC is also doing the job. He added that if billions of rupees were allocated to simulate colonial towns and use them correctly, the condition in the area could be significantly improved. Sewer work will also begin next week, with the foundation set to be laid next week.
The mayor also said that funds are being provided to institutions such as Indus River Hospital, SIUT and NICVD so that citizens can access the best medical facilities.
Wahab declared himself proud to be Mohajir, saying that the people of Karachi are his own. He called on all institutions and representatives to avoid negative politics and work together for the development of the city.
At the scene, staff from the KMC Engineering Department gave detailed information to the municipal chief about the scope and progress of the ongoing restoration work in Karachi.
Posted in Dawn on September 29, 2025
