By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: Barrister Murtaza Wahab announced that 2026 has been designated as the year for the completion of major development projects across Karachi, detailing plans during a press conference at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation head office.
Mayor Wahab said that the KMC is currently executing 1,058 development schemes, including road construction and rehabilitation, restoration of historic buildings, and improvements in inner-city streets to provide better facilities to citizens. He highlighted work in the Old City Area, with Rs750 million allocated for markets including Lee, Khajoor, and Bolton Markets, while an additional Rs1 billion will be spent on other commercial markets, including the Nursery Furniture Market.
Emphasising heritage preservation, Wahab said restoration work is underway at the 150-year-old Empress Market, including the clock restoration and creation of parking for 300 vehicles. The century-old KMC Building is also being restored and converted to solar energy. Other heritage markets such as Denso Hall, Hassan Ali Hoti Market, Soldier Bazaar, Machhi Miani, and Cantt Station Sol Lines Market are also under renovation.
The Mayor highlighted infrastructure projects across all districts, including road improvements on Hub River Road, Tori Bangash Road, and Memon Goth Road, as well as major corridor upgrades on Shahrah-e-Faisal, University Road, Rashid Minhas Road, and other key routes. He also outlined initiatives for new public parks, a bird aviary at Kidney Hill, and construction of sports facilities, including a stadium in Baldia Town.
He detailed financial allocations for development, including Rs67 billion by KMC, Rs10 billion for the Safe City project, Rs100 billion for the Yellow Line, and Rs77 billion for the K-IV water project. Wahab stressed that encroachment removal remains a priority and called for active participation from all towns to ensure the success of the city-wide projects.
The Mayor said work is continuing even during Ramadan, adding that efforts to resolve pension issues are progressing and that KMC’s financial position is improving. He reiterated that all projects will be completed while maintaining quality and transparency for citizens’ benefit.
