KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab has directed officials to create a digital map of ongoing development projects in the city to make information accessible to the public.
A statement released after a meeting at the mayor’s office said the engineering department’s progress was discussed as the fiscal year-end approaches.
Tariq Mughal, DG-Technical Services, reported that 219 development projects have been completed, with others still in progress to be finished by June 30. Projects worth around Rs2.5 billion are currently underway after tenders were issued.
The mayor asked officials to update all ongoing projects on Google Maps so citizens can stay informed, avoid traffic issues, and track progress in real time. He stressed the importance of completing projects on time and said delays would face consequences, according to the statement.
The meeting included Municipal Commissioner S.M. Afzal Zaidi, Financial Advisor Gulzar Abro, DG Parks Akhlaq Yousafzai, Director Media Daniyal Siyal, and other senior officials.
Earlier, Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced again that parking fees on public roads will be eliminated, and no street parking contracts will continue after June 30.
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He made this statement while opening the Hanif Mohammad Cricket Ground at Jheel Park in PECHS, emphasizing his administration’s focus on improving public spaces and providing recreational facilities for residents.
In February, the Sindh government announced it would end charged parking across the province. In March, the mayor clarified that the city would stop charged parking from July 1, as all parking contracts will end by June 30.
“After June 30, no street parking contracts will continue. Only parking plazas within enclosed areas will be allowed to charge fees,” he said.
Regarding the new cricket ground, named after Pakistan’s cricket legend Hanif Mohammad, the mayor said it was developed on a former lake and includes spaces for cricket, football, and walking tracks.
The mayor shared memories of Hanif Mohammad and noted that his son, Shoaib Mohammad, plans to start a cricket academy at the ground. “This project supports the Pakistan Peoples Party’s goal of providing quality public facilities,” he said.
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He highlighted the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) efforts to improve parks, playgrounds, and public areas to make them healthy and welcoming spaces.
“Karachi’s historic buildings and public spaces are being made available to the public,” Mr. Wahab said.
He mentioned that Frere Hall, Khaliq Dina Hall, and soon Denso Hall will be open to the public. Renovations at Empress Market are also in progress to create a cultural activity zone.
The mayor invited creative individuals to organize events at these heritage sites and announced plans to restore 50 parks across the city in 2025, with two openings scheduled this week in District West and District South.
He proposed reserving large parks for families on weekends and asked the media to collect public opinions on the idea.
