Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has laid the foundation stone of a Rs186.99 million multi-purpose sports complex in Manghopir Town, a project aimed at providing modern recreational facilities for youth and protecting a large plot of land from potential illegal occupation.
According to KMC information today, the Captain Colonel Sher Khan Sports Ground and Family Park project was launched in Pakhtoonabad, District West, during a ceremony attended by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad and other elected officials.
Addressing the event, the mayor stated that providing quality sports facilities is a top priority for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). He detailed the project”s cost, allocating Rs 82.54 million for civil and architectural works, Rs 45.98 million for electrification, Rs 26.73 million for landscaping, and Rs 12.29 million for engineering facilities, with additional funds for water supply and plumbing.
The sports ground will span 14,730 square yards, featuring separate facilities for football and cricket. The development includes an 8-foot-wide jogging track, a new pavilion, substantial parking for cars and motorcycles, and reconstruction of the boundary wall and main gate.
An adjacent family park, covering approximately 2,705 square yards, will include its own jogging track, green areas, gazebos, seating benches, and a children”s play area, supported by new streetlights and park lights.
Mayor Wahab noted that while the land had previously been safe from encroachment, the lack of facilities left youth without recreational options and created a risk of future land grabbing. He credited a local organisation and an elected representative, Mufti Khalid, for highlighting the absence of amenities for elders, women, and children in the area.
“The existing dirt land will be transformed into a modern and high-quality sports ground,” the mayor said, adding that the project is scheduled for completion by the end of June. He asserted that the difference in municipal performance comes down to leadership and intent, vowing that public resources will be spent honestly.
This initiative is part of a wider development push in District West, where the foundation stone for Dedex Road, a thoroughfare unbuilt for forty years, was laid last week.
The mayor declared the current year one of development for the city, with Rs 46 billion being spent on various projects and an additional Rs 8.5 billion approved for further infrastructure improvements.
Other ongoing KMC initiatives include the cleaning of the Hub Reservoir, where fifteen feet of silt had accumulated over 45 years. Furthermore, 25 new roads are planned for construction across all seven districts at a cost of Rs 5.5 billion to ease traffic congestion.
In response to media questions, Mr Wahab acknowledged that development projects often face objections that can cause delays but affirmed that practical steps for the city”s improvement will persist. He urged the Prime Minister and federal ministers to announce a special package for Karachi to accelerate development work.
He confirmed that approval for four transport corridors has been secured in the budget, with tendering underway. Specific reconstruction projects include Mirza Adam Khan Road, Sehbai Akhtar Road, and Mesham Road.
The mayor concluded by stating that ensuring basic facilities, including water supply through schemes like the Hub Dam and K-IV projects, remains a top priority for the municipal leadership.