The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has launched a series of development projects worth over 700 million rupees for the restoration of the city’s historic Old City Area, with Mayor Murtaza Wahab laying its foundation stone on Sunday. The objective of this comprehensive scheme is to improve roads, the sewerage system, and public facilities, for which the completion target has been set for June 30.

Mayor Wahab announced that the main project, covering areas like Jodia Bazaar, Bolton Market, Mithadar, and Kharadar, will be completed at a cost of 595.6 million rupees. An additional 100 million rupees have been allocated for the restoration of the historic Lee Market building, which is to be completed in 90 days with the cooperation of local traders.

The extensive infrastructure works include laying 400,000 square feet of paver blocks and constructing 850,000 square feet of roads. A major focus will be on the complete overhaul of the sewerage system, under which new pipelines will be laid in all four major commercial areas.

Details of the project were shared in a briefing: Over 2,600 feet of new sewerage lines will be laid in Jodia Bazaar, while the system in Bolton Market will be upgraded with over 4,000 feet of new pipes. Similarly, 4,050 feet and 4,100 feet of new sewerage lines will be laid in Mithadar and Kharadar respectively, along with significant construction of roads and paver blocks.

Addressing the media, the Mayor said that 2026 has been declared the year for the completion of development projects and equipping the Old City Area with modern urban facilities is the top priority of the KMC. He emphasized that all work will be carried out transparently and stressed the need for better coordination among municipal departments to protect newly constructed roads from being dug up.

The Mayor also spoke about broader urban challenges, and confirmed that work on new water lines in Lyari is expected to be completed by June. He mentioned that the K-IV Augmentation Project has been initiated, under which 71 billion rupees will be spent on laying water lines, which he described as a fundamental right of the public and the vision of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

To tackle water theft, Mayor Wahab announced that a Water Tribunal is being formally inaugurated following the completion of legislation and the appointment of a judge. He said that this new institution will help overcome this long-standing issue.

The Mayor confirmed that the KMC will spend a total of 46 billion rupees on development works across the city this year. He called upon opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, to play a serious role in solving urban problems, and questioned why roads at the town level are not being built despite the allocation of funds.

The foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by City Council Parliamentary Leader Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, other elected officials, and local residents.