The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Council today passed resolutions lodging strong reservations against heavy e-challan fines for traffic violations and condemning the arrest of a union committee chairman during a public protest.
In a session, the council formally demanded the Sindh government withdraw the e-challan notification and called for legal action against police officers responsible for detaining UC Chairman Nauman Hameed over a demonstration against prolonged load shedding.
The general meeting, held at the City Council Hall and chaired by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, saw the passage of 20 resolutions in total. Of these, eight were endorsed unanimously and 12 were approved by a majority vote, while a single motion was deferred to the subsequent meeting.
The session commenced with a condolence resolution for the late Agha Siraj Durrani, former Speaker of the Sindh Assembly. Deputy Parliamentary Leader Jaman Durrani eulogized the senior PPP leader as a courageous figure who practiced principled politics and strengthened democracy.
In a unanimously passed motion, the council denounced India’s illegal occupation of Kashmir, expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people. Parliamentary Leader Karamullah Waqasi and Opposition Leader Saifuddin Advocate highlighted October 27 as a dark day in history, reaffirming that the Pakistani nation stands united with Kashmiris in their struggle for freedom.
Significant infrastructure projects received approval, including a majority-backed resolution to add 50 acres of land and revise the layout plan for the Zulfiqarabad Oil Tankers Parking Terminal. Members including Farooq Khaskheli and Najmi Alam spoke on the project”s importance for the metropolis.
The council also sanctioned the establishment of a bus depot named ‘KMC General Bus Stand’ on Manghopir Road (Gutter Baghicha). The operation and maintenance of this facility for a 10-year period were entrusted to ‘The Silk Route Transport Company’ through a unanimous vote.
Several public spaces and infrastructure projects were approved to be named in honor of notable figures. The underpass at Golimar Chowrangi will be named after Qadir Bakhsh Bakkak, the Lyari Family Park after martyred PPP leader Waja Kareem Dad, and the overhead bridge on Khalid Bin Waleed Road after the late Muhammad Umar Jat. In recognition of his efforts, the Karimabad Underpass will be named the ‘Dr. Asim Hussain Underpass.’
A unanimous resolution granted approval for leasing a plot in Gulistan-e-Mazdoor to The Citizens Foundation for the construction and operation of a primary and secondary school.
Furthermore, the council endorsed bringing Kiran Hospital Road and SUPARCO Road under KMC”s administrative control to address public complaints related to the Red Line project. The members also agreed to rename Kiran Hospital Road in honor of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan.
Other motions passed by majority vote included the improvement plan for Jehangir Road, rehabilitation of the Guru Mandir to Teen Hatti stormwater drain, construction of the Natha Khan Bridge Grade and Link Road, and the upgradation of several posts within the KMC Fire Brigade and USAR Department.
A citywide tree plantation campaign across all public areas was also launched via a council resolution to combat environmental pollution. Speakers during the session included Nauman Ilyas, PTI Parliamentary Leader Mubashir Ahmed, and Junaid Makati, among others.