KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab inaugurated the city’s first-ever beach resort at Hawk’s Bay, named Cove Beach Resort, built under a public-private partnership (PPP). This modern resort, completed in just six months, is now open to the public and offers top-class recreational facilities.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mayor Wahab said the resort would provide Karachiites with an international-level beach experience right at home, removing the need to travel abroad for such leisure.
He called the project a major success for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and a step toward improving city infrastructure.
The mayor also announced plans for another beach resort, which is expected to be built in Ibrahim Hyderi or Malir. He said improving recreational and tourism facilities remains a key priority for his administration.
Wahab shared details of several other development initiatives aimed at improving Karachi’s living conditions. These include:
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Cleaning 46 main stormwater drains to prevent monsoon flooding,
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Beautifying I.I. Chundrigar Road, the city’s business hub,
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Restoring historic buildings like Denso Hall, Empress Market, and Frere Hall,
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And setting up a mangrove conservation park to raise environmental awareness.
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The inauguration event was attended by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, City Council Parliamentary Leader Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, and various UC chairmen and officials.
Separately, in a meeting with the Sindhi Muslim Housing Society’s committee, Mayor Wahab directed the KMC Land Department to take strict action against illegal constructions and encroachments on KMC land. He instructed that weekly progress reports must be submitted to ensure transparency.
The mayor also raised concern over the federal government’s failure to fairly distribute Export Development Funds (EDF). In a letter to Federal Commerce Minister and EDF Chairman Jam Kamal Khan, Wahab urged the centre to provide Karachi with its fair share, citing the city’s key role in Pakistan’s economy.
In a major move for urban financing, Mayor Wahab earlier announced the launch of project-backed municipal bonds to raise funds for development projects. He made the announcement at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), where he also became the first Karachi mayor to ring the PSX bell.
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Wahab said KMC would work with PSX to fund long-term projects for the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), and KMC itself.
One of the major projects includes a multi-story parking plaza near the PSX building on I.I. Chundrigar Road, aimed at making the area more pedestrian-friendly. Another plaza is planned for Railway Ground, with funds already approved.
Mayor Wahab said Karachi has valuable assets and through municipal bonds, public offerings, and special purpose vehicles, the city can raise funds without depending on federal or provincial governments. He also mentioned a proposed water project from Haleji Lake, which could supply 65 million gallons, as an example of asset-backed financing.
These initiatives reflect the mayor’s focus on modernizing Karachi through local funding, better planning, and improved public services.
