Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said today that resolving Karachi’s issues requires collaboration between the federal and local governments. The economic hub, Karachi, needs collective efforts to address its problems.
According to a statement issued by He emphasized taking action against the plastic bag mafia and urged citizens to stop using plastic bags. Amendments to the laws will be introduced in the next Sindh Cabinet meeting. Modern garbage transfer stations are being established in the city, and projects to generate gas and electricity from waste are underway.
To improve the solid waste management system in District Korangi, 30 mini dumpers and 6 large compactors have been added. Efforts to enhance the solid waste system on streets and alleys are ongoing. Karachi must be made an exemplary city, focusing on constructive politics rather than criticism. Although the solid waste system has improved, making it ideal is still a goal. More vehicles are being provided to collect garbage from neighborhoods.
The mayor expressed these views on Monday while addressing a ceremony as the chief guest at the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board’s Model Colony Yard, where new vehicles for garbage collection in District Korangi were handed over. Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Dil Muhammad, Managing Director Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Tariq Nizamani, representatives from a Chinese company, relevant officials, and other elected representatives were also present.
Wahab inspected the machinery by driving a garbage-collecting motorcycle himself and interacting with the solid waste staff. He said that additional machinery is being provided in various districts of Karachi to improve the performance of the solid waste management administration, ensuring effective garbage collection from streets and neighborhoods.
District Korangi, with its large population and a significant industrial zone, holds great importance. To improve cleanliness in this area, an agreement has been made for garbage collection from Korangi’s industrial zone, which will yield positive results. The mayor stated that the development of Karachi’s basic infrastructure is ongoing.
The Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Road has been opened for the public, inaugurated by Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The section leading to Quaidabad will be completed by March, while the track to Kathore will become operational by December. The completion of this project will ease traffic congestion in Korangi and surrounding areas.
Mayor Karachi acknowledged the delays in the Red Line project, causing difficulties for citizens, but technical issues have prolonged its completion by another two years. The Transport Minister has instructed efforts to resolve public challenges as soon as possible.
He further highlighted that the current government has increased the union council (UC) budget from 500,000 to 1.2 million rupees to empower UCs and make them capable of solving local issues. A complaint number, 1334, has also been introduced to promptly address public grievances. He discussed the importance of the federal government’s role in addressing issues such as the Lyari Expressway and heavy traffic problems.
The mayor emphasized that all these initiatives by the Karachi Municipal Corporation and the Sindh government aim to improve Karachi, resolve citizens’ issues, and promote developmental works in the city. However, these projects will only succeed with the collective efforts of the federal government and the public.