Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, on Wednesday distributed pension arrears cheques worth Rs310 million among retired employees of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and announced the introduction of the KMC Pension Card.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, Municipal Commissioner KMC Abrar Jaffer, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Jaman Darwan, President of the Peoples Labour Bureau Karachi Division Aslam Samoo, and other officials.
Addressing the cheque distribution ceremony, the Mayor said that resolving the long-standing issues faced by retired KMC employees, which had remained pending for many years, had been a priority of the present city administration. He stated that, due to the flawed policies of previous governments, retired employees had been deprived of their legitimate rights. However, he added that the current elected leadership had taken practical steps to address these issues.
He said that when the present administration assumed office three years ago, KMC had pension liabilities of approximately Rs11 billion. Through prudent financial planning and effective investment of available resources, pension arrears of employees who retired between 2013 and 2019 were being cleared in phases, while Rs310 million was being disbursed on the day. He added that approximately Rs6.2 billion in pension arrears still remained to be paid and that work in this regard was progressing rapidly. He further said that KMC now ensures that all retired employees receive their monthly pensions on the first day of every month and that there is currently no outstanding liability against regular pension payments.
The mayor said that the credit for this achievement went to the entire City Council, the Deputy Mayor, the Parliamentary Leader, the Deputy Parliamentary Leader, the Peoples Labour Bureau, and all officers and employees who contributed to the effort. He also revealed that a long-standing financial dispute with K-Electric had been resolved, as a result of which approximately Rs1.4 billion would be transferred to KMC’s account during the current month. He said these funds would also be utilised for the welfare of employees and the citizens of Karachi.
Wahab said that the implementation of the SAP system had significantly enhanced transparency by eliminating fake recruitments and financial irregularities. He stated that several cases of dual employment in KMC, the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), and other institutions had been identified.
Additionally, around 1,200 individuals were found to have been receiving fraudulent pensions worth Rs57 million without authorisation. He emphasised that every payment would now be made through a fully digital system to ensure transparency and accountability. He also announced that retired employees would soon be issued computerized KMC Pension Cards, making the pension disbursement process more convenient.
Highlighting the city’s development initiatives, the mayor said that the present city administration had successfully completed several major infrastructure projects, including Shahrah-e-Bhutto, Korangi Causeway Bridge, Senator Taj Haider Bridge, Karimabad Underpass, Bhains Colony-Ibrahim Hyderi Flyover, and the Azeempura Flyover. He further announced that two additional flyovers would soon be constructed at the My Kolachi Road railway crossing and near Disco Bakery in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. He also said that Rs200 million had been allocated for development and beautification works around mosques ahead of the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal.
The mayor stated that he always addressed the media in connection with the inauguration or completion of development projects because his politics was based on public service. He remarked that these achievements were not the work of any single individual but the result of the collective efforts of the Pakistan Peoples Party and the City Council. Referring to the opposition, he said that while every political party had the right to protest, it should adopt a constructive approach instead of resorting to protest politics. He added that some elements attempted to claim credit for every achievement, but KMC had always fulfilled its responsibilities, continued to do so, and would keep serving the people of Karachi with the same dedication in the future.