By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has distributed Rs310 million in pension arrears among retired employees of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and announced the launch of a KMC Pension Card to streamline future pension payments.
The cheque distribution ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, Municipal Commissioner Abrar Jaffer, Pakistan Peoples Party City Council Parliamentary Leader Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Jaman Darwan, Peoples Labour Bureau Karachi Division President Aslam Samoo and other officials.
Addressing the event, the mayor said resolving the long-standing financial issues faced by retired KMC employees had been one of the current city administration’s key priorities. He said many pension-related problems had remained unresolved for years but were now being addressed through phased payments.
According to Wahab, KMC inherited pension liabilities of around Rs11 billion when the present administration took office three years ago. He said pension arrears for employees who retired between 2013 and 2019 were being cleared in phases, with Rs310 million distributed during the latest round of payments. Around Rs6.2 billion in arrears remains outstanding, but work to settle the remaining dues is progressing, he added.
The mayor said KMC now pays monthly pensions on the first day of every month and no regular pension payments are currently overdue.
He credited the achievement to the collective efforts of the City Council, Deputy Mayor, elected representatives, the Peoples Labour Bureau and KMC officials.
Wahab also announced that a long-running financial dispute with K-Electric had been resolved and said approximately Rs1.4 billion would be transferred to KMC during the current month. He said the funds would be used for employee welfare and public development projects.
The mayor said the implementation of a new SAP-based digital financial management system had improved transparency by eliminating fraudulent recruitment and financial irregularities. He revealed that investigations had uncovered cases of dual employment within KMC, the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and other institutions, while around 1,200 individuals had allegedly been receiving Rs57 million in fraudulent pension payments.
To improve transparency, Wahab announced that all future pension payments would be made through a fully digital system, with retired employees soon receiving computerised KMC Pension Cards.
Highlighting recent development projects, the mayor said the city administration had completed major infrastructure schemes, including Shahrah-e-Bhutto, Korangi Causeway Bridge, Senator Taj Haider Bridge, Karimabad Underpass, Bhains Colony–Ibrahim Hyderi Flyover and the Azeempura Flyover.
He also announced plans to construct two new flyovers at the My Kolachi Road railway crossing and near Disco Bakery in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. In addition, Rs200 million has been allocated for development and beautification works around mosques ahead of the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal.
The mayor said his administration remains focused on public service and development, adding that Karachi’s recent achievements are the result of collective efforts rather than the work of any individual. He also called on opposition parties to pursue constructive politics while reaffirming KMC’s commitment to serving the city’s residents.
