By Moin Ullah Shah
KARACHI: Landhi Town Chairman Abdul Jameel Khan has said development projects worth Rs600 million are under way across the town, with most nearing completion, despite what he described as limited financial resources.
Addressing a press briefing alongside Vice Chairman Muhammad Imran and Town Municipal Corporation official Muhammad Nawaz Khan Mehr, the chairman said the local administration remained committed to improving public services and infrastructure.
He said the town had also cleared more than Rs300 million in long-standing dues owed to retired employees and the families of deceased staff members, describing the payments as the settlement of liabilities that had remained outstanding for years.
Abdul Jameel Khan said more than 30 neglected parks had been restored, while encroachments had been removed from several green belts to make them accessible for the public.
Although sewerage services do not fall directly under the town’s jurisdiction, he said the administration had laid more than 50,000 running feet of new sewerage lines, constructed over 1,500 manholes, installed 18,000 running feet of new water pipelines using its own funds, and built 12 culverts alongside drain-cleaning work to improve drainage.
He added that a Mother and Child Care Centre had been established in Landhi 5½, while model neighbourhoods had been developed in several union councils for the first time in the town’s history.
The chairman said 11 major roads had been completed, while work on 600 paved streets was progressing rapidly, with 463 streets already finished. More than 2,000 LED street lights had also been installed or repaired.
Highlighting youth development, he said a Youth Empowerment Department had been established, offering 15 free vocational and technical courses. More than 3,000 students had completed the programmes, while over 600 others were currently receiving training.
He said a Kids Library and an e-library had also been set up to encourage reading and improve educational opportunities for local children.
The chairman acknowledged that challenges remained but said transparent governance and responsible financial management had enabled the town to deliver significant public projects despite limited resources.
He claimed that no development funding had been provided by the Sindh government, with all projects financed through the town’s own resources and savings under the Octroi and Zila Tax (OZT) allocation.
Abdul Jameel Khan also criticised the performance of the city’s solid waste and water authorities, alleging that residents continued to face shortages of water, electricity and gas. He said water tankers were operating while many households remained without a regular water supply, and called on the relevant authorities to address these issues.
He pledged to complete all 600 street projects, establish a model neighbourhood in every union council and continue accelerating development work across Landhi Town.
