KARACHI: Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has inaugurated multiple development projects in different parts of Karachi, including Orangi Town and District East, with a total cost of over Rs122 million. The projects include road repairs, installation of paver blocks, and improvement of the sewerage and drainage systems.
During his visit to Safoora Town and Gulistan-e-Jauhar, the mayor launched road and drainage improvement works. He shared that 482,400 square feet of paver blocks will be installed and 307,800 square feet of roads will be carpeted across District East. In addition, 14,000 feet of new drainage lines will be laid to solve long-standing sewerage problems.
“These projects will bring clean and sustainable infrastructure, improve traffic flow, and strengthen the drainage system,” Wahab told the media. He added that the plan also includes repairing 25,000 to 30,000 feet of old sewerage lines, carpeting 125,000 square feet of roads, and installing over 600,000 square feet of paver blocks.
The mayor also laid foundation stones for new projects near Disco Bakery, Khudadad Colony, and Patel Hospital. Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, KMC Parliamentary Leader Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, and other officials accompanied him.
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Speaking at UC-8 in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Wahab criticized previous governments for not resolving the city’s issues. He said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is now working across all 246 Union Committees (UCs) of Karachi without any discrimination.
“Problems won’t be solved through statements and press conferences,” he said. “We are serving everyone, whether they vote for us or not. Serving the public without bias is the PPP’s mission.”
He also pointed out that while KMC is responsible for only 106 roads in Karachi, his administration is actively working in streets and neighborhoods. “Property and trade taxes are collected by other departments, but KMC provides the services,” he said.
Later, the mayor laid the foundation for a major project in Lines Area (UC-11, District East), which includes inner street repairs, drainage and sewerage upgrades, and installation of paver blocks. The project will carpet 188,000 square feet of roads and install 110,400 square feet of paver blocks, along with 14,000 feet of drainage lines.
Wahab also spoke about his recent visit to Orangi Town, Mominabad, and Manghopir in District West. He announced an investment of Rs1.5 billion in District West for this financial year. “Tenders have already been issued, and development work will continue in all parts of Karachi,” he said. “People will see for themselves who collects road-cutting charges and who actually delivers services.”
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He expressed readiness to work with anyone willing to serve the public and said empty talk would not solve Karachi’s problems.
On the city’s water hydrant issue, Wahab clarified that only seven legal hydrants are allowed to operate in Karachi. “We will take strict action against illegal hydrants. I’m not the federal government or MQM or Jamaat-e-Islami—I will ensure the law is followed,” he said.
He also announced that a new canal from the Hub Dam will be inaugurated on August 14 to improve water supply in the city.
Wahab said that all UC chairpersons have received fumigation equipment to fight diseases like dengue and malaria.
Speaking about Frere Hall, he mentioned that his team recovered stolen statues and brass lions that had gone missing from the site. He explained that steel plates were removed to prevent them from being stolen by drug addicts.
He called for a joint effort with police to crack down on drug dealers and addicts. “We need to identify where stolen mobile phones and scrap items are sold. Solving this issue is very important,” he stressed.
The mayor concluded by saying that Karachi’s challenges can’t be resolved through speeches alone—both law enforcement and local bodies must work together to bring real change.
