By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has announced a series of environmental initiatives aimed at improving the city’s ecological condition, including the plantation of 5,000 mangrove saplings and the operationalisation of key sewage treatment plants across the metropolis.
He made the announcement while inaugurating a mangrove plantation and tree-planting campaign at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park, where he was joined by PPP Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Karamullah Waqasi, elected representatives and other officials.
The mayor said a Biodiversity Park had recently been announced in the Keamari area and was expected to be inaugurated by November 2026. He said the project would help educate schoolchildren about mangrove ecosystems and their environmental significance.
He added that the plantation drive at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park would be expanded, with more than 5,000 mangrove saplings to be planted as part of ongoing efforts to increase Karachi’s green cover.
Barrister Wahab said boundary walls of the park had been removed to allow citizens a clearer view of the natural landscape, adding that the initiative was intended to make public spaces more open and accessible. He thanked the Forest Department and Arif Khokhar for their cooperation in supporting mangrove plantation efforts in Karachi as well as in Thatta and Sujawal, noting that two world records had already been achieved in mangrove plantation campaigns.
Focusing on the city’s long-standing sanitation challenges, the mayor said the Gutter Baghicha Haroonabad Sewage Treatment Plant would become operational by June 30, while a larger 100 million gallons per day treatment plant was expected to be functional by December 31, 2026. He also said the Mauripur treatment facility would process 54 MGD of wastewater, significantly improving urban waste management.
He announced plans to convert Aladdin Park on Rashid Minhas Road into an urban forest and said 50 acres of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation land would be used for plantation drives and other green initiatives.
Barrister Wahab warned that strict action would be taken against illegal tree cutting anywhere in the city, describing environmental protection as a priority for the municipal administration.
He also referred to the K-IV water project, saying it had remained pending before the Council of Common Interests since 2016 and had been inaugurated multiple times in the past. He said Rs10bn had been allocated for the scheme in the current fiscal budget.
Criticising federal authorities and political representatives, he said Karachi, as the country’s economic hub, required greater attention to resolve its infrastructure and civic issues.
On political developments in Gilgit-Baltistan, the mayor said the public mandate should be respected and that the party receiving the majority vote should be allowed to form the government. He reiterated that the Pakistan Peoples Party remained committed to principled politics and public service.
He urged citizens to take active part in plantation drives, support environmental initiatives and contribute to efforts aimed at making Karachi a greener and more sustainable city for future generations.
