By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: Mayor of Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, inaugurated a new solar street lighting system along Shahrah-e-Faisal on Thursday, marking a major step in the city’s development and sustainability efforts.
Addressing the ceremony, Mayor Wahab said 2026 would be a year of development, with every promise made to the public during elections being fulfilled. He highlighted ongoing welfare projects in Keamari, the Old City area, and across the city, with work progressing on Shahrah-e-Bhutto, Murghi Khana Bridge, and other major projects.
Shahrah-e-Bhutto from Qayyumabad to Kathore will soon be opened for traffic, benefitting not only Karachi but also commuters travelling to Multan, Sialkot, Lahore and Hyderabad. He noted that street lights along three major arteries, including Shahrah-e-Faisal and Shahrah-e-Iran, had been converted to solar power at a cost of Rs 900 million.
The company installing the panels will manage operations and maintenance under a five-year warranty, saving approximately Rs 25 million annually in electricity costs. In the past, street lights often remained switched off due to K-Electric load shedding, drawing criticism of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, but the mayor said the issue had now been resolved through practical measures.
Mayor Wahab addressed concerns over the removal of Conocarpus trees, saying they were neither environmentally friendly nor suitable for infrastructure. He stressed the need to plant indigenous trees, which provide environmental, soil and public health benefits.
During the inauguration, Deputy Parliamentary Leader of the City Council Dil Muhammad and other elected representatives were also present. The mayor emphasised that press conferences, protests and negative politics do not solve problems, adding that practical work and public service were the true measures of leadership.
He criticised Jamaat-e-Islami for relying on conspiracies rather than tangible initiatives and said positions such as mayor or minister are “crowns of thorns” where the real test is serving the public. He reiterated that the Pakistan Peoples Party prioritises action over slogans and aims to provide facilities to all residents of Karachi without discrimination, in line with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s vision.
Mayor Wahab provided updates on ongoing city projects, noting the completion of Bahadurabad Road and improvement works at Pakistan Chowk, Shahrah-e-Liaquat and Sohrab Goth. Work continues on the Kareemabad Underpass, and once K-Electric completes its work, construction will accelerate further. Other major roads, including Sir Shah Suleman Road and Mai Kolachi Road, will also be converted to solar energy.
He highlighted the environmental and financial benefits of these initiatives, including reduced carbon footprint, energy cost savings and sustainable development. The city has also begun installing durable fibre and recycled-waste manhole covers at locations including Karachi Zoo, with plans for city-wide use. Funds were provided to all Union Councils in December for manhole cover installations.
Concluding his remarks, Mayor Wahab said Sindh, as the land of Sufis, unites hearts, and that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands. He stressed that practical work remains the only path forward for Karachi’s progress.
