Mayor of Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, inaugurated the Taimuria Library rehabilitation project in the North Nazimabad area of District Central. The project was completed at a cost of Rs. 1.5 billion. On the occasion, Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the KMC City Council Dil Muhammad, Jaman Darwan, Director General KDA Asif Jan Siddiqui, elected representatives, and others were also present.
Addressing the ceremony, the Mayor said that the preservation of educational and cultural heritage is among the top priorities of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. He stated that the rehabilitation of libraries, with the cooperation of the Sindh Government and the Karachi Development Authority, is a prime example of public service initiatives. He added that Taimuria Library has been equipped with modern facilities that will provide students and knowledge-seeking citizens with a quality educational environment, and that further facilities will be provided for the future builders of the nation.
He said that the renovation and rehabilitation of libraries is an important step towards the promotion of knowledge and literature in Karachi, while improving educational infrastructure and overall urban development remains a top priority of local government institutions. He noted that in the past, Taimuria Library was in a dilapidated condition. Although hundreds of students used to come here to prepare for examinations, proper seating and study facilities were not available. With the cooperation of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Provincial Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, and Dr. Asim Hussain, the project was completed, and the library has once again been opened to the public.
The Mayor said that the sewerage situation around the library was poor, for which the relevant officers were immediately summoned. He issued clear instructions that strict action would be taken against any officer found negligent. He emphasized that instead of blame-shifting, institutions must work within their respective domains, as citizens only want solutions to their problems.
He said that this year will prove to be a year of development for Karachi, and that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will spend a substantial amount on the city. The Mayor stated that approval has been obtained for the construction and rehabilitation of 26 roads in various districts of the city, which will be rebuilt at a cost of Rs. 5.5 billion. Work on these roads will begin by the end of the current month to provide better travel facilities to citizens.
He informed that major roads to be improved include University Road, various routes in the Old City, M.A. Jinnah Road, I.I. Chundrigar Road, and Mirza Adam Khan Road. Mirza Adam Khan Road runs from behind Lyari towards Garden and connects to the Lyari Expressway. It is also known as Dhobi Ghat Road. The rehabilitation of these roads will significantly improve traffic flow.
The Mayor further said that, to reduce traffic pressure in the city, four Karachi corridors are also being constructed at an estimated cost of about Rs. 4 billion. In the first phase, a corridor will be built from Habib University to Pahalwan Goth. In the second phase, a corridor from Shahrah-e-Faisal to Natha Khan will be developed, serving as an alternative route for those travelling to Gulistan-e-Johar. Tenders for this project have been completed, and construction will begin in the coming days.
He added that the construction of corridors on Rashid Minhas Road and Sir Shah Suleman Road is also included, which will further ease traffic movement in the city. Referring to the issue of encroachments, he said that in some areas illegal occupations on roads and nullahs have affected development work; however, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is striving to utilize resources in the best possible manner.
The Mayor said that the Korangi Causeway Bridge has been opened to the public, while the Murghi Khana Bridge will be opened to traffic by March, which will provide major relief to residents of Landhi and Quaidabad. Similarly, work on the Cattle Colony Export Processing Zone Bridge is targeted to be completed by February.
Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab stated that serving the public to the maximum extent and resolving citizens’ issues is the core of their election manifesto, and that spending available resources on the people is their policy. He said that the philosophy of service of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari serves as a guiding principle, under which practical steps are being taken for the development and improvement of Karachi.
He said that treating Karachi as personal property is unacceptable, adding that creating difficulties for millions of citizens through protests by a few hundred people is an anti-public attitude. He remarked that despite having authority in various towns, protest politics is being pursued instead of practical work. He expressed regret over the absence of federal authorities following the Gul Plaza tragedy and clarified that development funds are a public trust and will be used transparently for the betterment of the city. He concluded by saying that Karachi belongs to everyone, and serving it is a shared responsibility of all.