By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: Mayor of Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, said that the people of the city had been shown beautiful dreams, grand promises, and tall claims, yet none had been fulfilled. To avoid criticism over unkept pledges, he noted, some political figures had left Karachi for Lahore, visiting the city only once a week to stage protests on its roads, adding to public inconvenience. Those in whom Karachiites had placed their hopes, he argued, had failed to resolve their problems, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had consistently followed a manifesto of serving the public without discrimination.
He recalled that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had promised that party representatives in every district, town, and neighborhood of Karachi would treat public authority as a sacred trust and use it for citizens’ welfare. “My presence here today, along with the KMC engineering team, is proof that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), in accordance with the PPP’s manifesto, is practically working for the city’s development,” the Mayor said.
He added that the party made no distinction between areas, whether under the PPP, MQM, Jamaat-e-Islami, or Muslim League, insisting that every neighborhood belonged to the people of Karachi. “Serving them is our mission,” he said.
Mayor Wahab outlined a citywide service drive by the KMC, under which 106 major roads, playgrounds, and parks were being restored and rehabilitated. “We understand that when an ordinary citizen leaves home, smooth roads, a clean environment, and access to basic facilities are his right — and the PPP will ensure this right reaches every citizen,” he emphasized.
The Mayor made these remarks while addressing a ceremony on Thursday to lay the foundation stone of various development schemes in different union councils of District Central. KMC Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Dil Muhammad, PPP Organization President Sardar Khan, General Secretary Shehzad Majeed, Asad Hanif, elected representatives, and others attended.
He said construction and rehabilitation work was underway on internal roads of UC-7 and UC-8 in District Central, while carpeting and paver-block work continued rapidly in New Karachi Phase II, particularly in UC-03, UC-9B, and sectors 11-E and 11-D.
Mayor Wahab informed that these projects would cost over Rs281 million. “Fifty thousand cubic feet of sub-base course has been completed, and over 350,000 cubic feet of aggregate base course will be laid. In addition, 330,000 square feet of carpet work and more than 350,000 square feet of paver blocks will be installed,” he said. He added that the rehabilitation of these roads would significantly improve commuting convenience and enhance traffic flow.
“These works are part of my vision for the complete reconstruction of Karachi’s infrastructure — upgrading roads, parks, and civic facilities according to modern standards,” he noted. In the New Karachi Kala School area, he said, 250,000 square feet of paver blocks would be laid to improve travel facilities for citizens. “Some people engage in hypocrisy every day but do not practically do a single rupee’s worth of work.
Town administrations collected road-cutting fees but failed to carry out construction,” he remarked. The Mayor highlighted that in Hyderi, near Madni Mall on Hashim Raza Road, road conditions were being improved, while in North Nazimabad — a town once dubbed the ‘Town of Angels’ — Rs2.5 billion had been collected in road-cutting fees, yet ground realities told a different story.
“KMC is now constructing roads and stormwater drains in North Nazimabad under the PPP administration. Those who deceived the public will be exposed before the people,” he asserted. “Relief will be provided to citizens in every area of Karachi through practical work, and the politics of service will continue to strengthen the city’s infrastructure on modern lines,” he added.
Mayor Wahab announced that Rs28 billion would be spent this year on improving Karachi’s infrastructure, and development work was now visible in every street and neighborhood. “Karachi belongs to all its citizens, beyond distinctions of race or ethnicity. We must end the politics of prejudice and criticism and instead unite hearts,” he said. Recalling an elderly citizen’s comment, he added, “Wherever Murtaza Wahab goes, work surely follows. In the past, people only came to cut ribbons, but I will come and ensure the work is completed.”
Wahab said citizens did not want symbolic gestures, but real, practical service. He emphasized that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari personally monitored Karachi’s development projects and asked what steps were being taken for residents. “If work is not being done in any area, citizens can directly question the party representatives,” he added.
Mayor Wahab vowed that the journey of progress and improvement would continue with the same passion. “KMC, with a spirit of public service, is committed to making Karachi cleaner, better, and more modern,” he said. He informed that steps were being taken to improve Manghopir Road and that discussions were underway with the federal government regarding flyovers at Power House and 4-K Chowrangi. “Public representatives have taken an oath to resolve people’s problems, so everyone must focus on practical work,” he said.
Wahab injected humor into the proceedings, recalling, “I myself studied in a yellow school and now sit in the yellow-stone building. Are these roads being built with Al-Khidmat’s money?” He concluded by highlighting ongoing work on an alternate route at Natha Khan Bridge and enhancements to the E-Challan system by traffic police. “Strict electronic challans will also be issued against heavy vehicles and dumpers, not just motorcyclists or car owners, to improve traffic discipline,” he said.
