Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said today that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will not face any funding shortages in the coming years.
The KMC is expected to receive around 10 to 11 billion rupees under annual development program, along with over 3 billion rupees in various taxes. He emphasized the need to expedite road construction and repair work across all districts, ensuring that contracts for such works are given only to those contractors who does quality works.
He expressed these views while chairing a meeting of the Engineering Department at KMC head office on Saturday, attended by Municipal Commissioner S. M Afzal Zaidi, Director General Azhar Ali Shah, and chief engineers and executive engineers from all districts. The Mayor Karachi stressed that addressing the public’s issues is key to solving problems, highlighting that the current priority for the city is road construction, infrastructure improvement, and providing street lighting.
He noted that the public expects KMC to have the capacity to resolve municipal issues, and praised the KMC’s quality work. It is essential to strengthen the organization, and all chief engineers, project directors, and staff should work diligently to enhance KMC’s reputation and public trust.
Mayor Karachi Barrister Wahab called for the construction of I.I Chundrigar Road to meet high standards, along with improving sidewalks and drainage systems and ensuring streetlights are activated immediately. He urged acceleration in the construction and repair of Orangi Road, Gialana Road, Baloch Colony Road, and Mewa Shah Road, insisting that further delays and negligence in road construction will not be tolerated.
He directed the Director General of Engineering to award contracts on merit and to reject any recommendations, including his own. Contractors failing to meet specified standards should be blacklisted immediately. The Mayor commended the improved cleanliness of drains this year, as well as enhancements in Karachi’s parks, zoo, and safari park, which have been positively acknowledged by citizens and media.
He stressed the necessity of continuous street lighting in underpasses for public convenience and for bringing reduction in street crimes, noting that past excuses about lack of funds and authority are no longer valid as now KMC officers have no such excuses that they are not being provided with funds. He reaffirmed his support for the organization, urging the Engineering Department to deliver results to restore KMC’s dignity in the eyes of the public.
The Mayor Karachi pointed out that small potholes on Karsaz Road are affecting traffic flow, and likewise some minor resurfacing on a section of Essa Nagri could improve road condition there. He instructed the immediate removal of soil, debris, and construction materials from areas where roads are being built. All engineers were warned that if improvements in road construction and infrastructure do not become apparent, disciplinary action would follow.
He encouraged honesty, dedication, and maximum effort to elevate Karachi’s infrastructure to meet public standards. The Mayor also directed that the Engineering Department maintain its active role during various events throughout the year, not just during significant occasions. He instructed the Director General to deny any road cutting permissions on Shahrahe Noor Jahan to any agency, or take legal action and compensation notices. He urged all engineers to collaborate and devise strategies to expedite road construction and infrastructure improvement for immediate results.