KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab opened the city’s first modern and hygienic meat market at Empress Market. He called it a big step toward protecting Karachi’s heritage while helping local businesses.
According to the details, speaking at the event, the mayor said the city is fighting against the land mafia. “In the past, people were scared of them, but we won’t let anyone ruin the city or stop people from earning an honest living,” he said. “We want to bring back Karachi’s beauty and make it easier for people to do business.”
The old meat market inside Empress Market has been fully renovated. It now offers clean and modern facilities to meat vendors, with 29 stalls ready for use. A new parking area has also been built nearby, with space for 400 cars and 150 motorbikes to solve long-standing parking issues.
Mayor Wahab said the next phase will focus on restoring the rest of the historic building, including repairing the Empress Market clock tower. “Over the last two years, we’ve made tough choices, but the results are showing. With public support and Bilawal Bhutto’s vision, we will keep moving forward.”
He said that when the PPP took charge of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) two years ago, they worked with what they had. “The powers and resources of KMC are the same. The real change is honest and strong leadership.”
Wahab said several heritage sites in Karachi have been reopened for the public, including Frere Hall, Khaliq Dina Hall, and Denso Hall. Renovation work is ongoing at Hathi Market, and six more KMC markets will be restored this year.
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He expressed concern that despite the new parking space, people still park outside the market. “When we take action against the parking mafia, they get stay orders from courts and blame us.”
The mayor also announced a complete ban on plastic bags in Karachi. “We spend millions cleaning drains, only to find them blocked with plastic. I ask citizens to stop using plastic bags and support this campaign.”
On infrastructure, Wahab said the KMC had asked for Rs40 billion from the federal government for the K-IV water supply project but only got Rs3.5 billion. “We also asked for Rs100 billion for Karachi but received nothing,” he said. “If other cities can get motorways, why can’t Karachi? This city gives the most to the country’s economy.”
He said traffic issues are also made worse by Port Qasim’s operations. “We’ve proposed an expressway from Port Qasim to Quaidabad to the prime minister. This is for the people of Karachi, not for me.”
Work is also under way to restore areas like Civil Lines, Paposh, and Lea Market. “We want to remind people how beautiful this city once was. In Europe, heritage is protected. We must do the same,” Wahab added.
He also shared updates on major projects:
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Second phase of Shahrah-e-Bhutto is open, easing traffic for Malir, Quaidabad, Landhi, Korangi and Steel Town.
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The road will be extended to Kathore by December 31.
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Ongoing projects include: Karimabad Underpass, Murghi Khana Bridge, Korangi Causeway, and Jam Sadiq Bridge.
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On August 14, a new canal from Hub Dam will be inaugurated to provide 100 million gallons of water daily to Karachi.
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Drain cleaning has started early this year, including key points like II Chundrigar Road, to prepare for monsoon season.
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Sunday inaugurated the second phase of Shahrah-e-Bhutto (Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Expressway), calling it a major gift from the PPP for Karachi.
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Speaking at the event, the CM said the expressway will improve transport, boost trade, and support industries. Ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, and Senator Waqar Mehdi joined him during the ceremony. The group inspected the road and paid toll tax as they drove along the new section.
The 38.66-kilometre-long road has six lanes and a design speed of 100 km/h. It connects DHA and Korangi to the M-9 Motorway near Kathore, with six interchanges and 12 toll plazas. About 80% of the work has been completed.
PPP supporters gathered in large numbers, chanting slogans for ZA Bhutto and the CM. Shah said this is the biggest project under the Sindh public-private partnership model and a major step in modernising the city’s roads.
He asked officials to finish the remaining section between Quaidabad and Kathore quickly. The expressway begins 200 metres before Jam Sadiq Interchange, and a new roundabout or interchange is also planned at Korangi Causeway.
The CM stressed that better roads mean faster progress and more business. While delays happened due to shifting utilities and local issues, he assured the full road will be ready by December 2025.
