Keamari gets tasteful makeover with 'Fish Food Street'
The inauguration ceremony on Sunday drew a large crowd, including residents, foodies, and dignitaries from across the political spectrum. Among those present were Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, MPA Asif Khan, MPA Liaquat Askani, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Mauripur Town Chairman Humayun Khan, Vice Chairman Asif Kausar, City Council members, and other elected representatives.
City Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who formally inaugurated the food street, said that Keamari's Fish Food Street is more than just a culinary hotspot - it's a symbol of revitalisation. "A new centre for entertainment and taste has been established for the people of Karachi," he said, highlighting the colorful aesthetic of the area with its vibrant umbrellas, decorative lighting, and inviting nighttime ambiance.
The mayor further stated that the food street offers a rich variety of local and traditional cuisine, particularly fresh seafood and BBQ, catering to both residents and tourists. Comfortable seating, family-friendly arrangements, and scenic surroundings aim to enhance the overall visitor experience.
Mayor Wahab explained that the project includes 62,000 square feet of paving blocks, 35,000 square feet of tuff tiles, 25 Victorian-style light poles, and 1,400 running feet of new sewerage lines. Two grand arch-style entrance gates with signage, 3,000 feet of kerbstone, 100,000 square feet of road patchwork, and the installation of 500 colourful umbrellas add to the charm and functionality of the space.
"This project gives citizens a unique recreational space where aesthetics and accessibility come together," he said. "Under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, such people-centric projects are being developed across Karachi without discrimination."
He stressed that the Fish Food Street fulfills a long-standing demand of Keamari residents, who had hoped for a food street on par with Burns Road.
"Promises were made before, but never kept," Mayor Wahab said. "Now, under PPP's governance, we're not just making announcements - we're delivering."
Looking ahead, the city mayor shared additional development plans for Keamari and adjacent areas.
He announced progress on rerouting heavy port traffic away from residential areas via Shahrah-e-Bhutto to Kathore. The section from Qayyumabad to Quaidabad is already operational, serving more than 12,000 vehicles daily, while the Kathore segment will be inaugurated by Bilawal on Dec 31.
He also cited the restoration of key infrastructure, including Netty Jetty, Jinnah Bridge, and ICI Bridge, all undertaken during the current PPP-led government.
In addition to transport and food infrastructure, Mayor Wahab highlighted improvements in health, water supply, sanitation, and sports facilities. He announced that a 100mgd canal from Hub Dam will be inaugurated on August 14, bringing much-needed water to Keamari and Karachi's western districts. He also referenced the TP-3 sewage treatment plant in Mauripur, being developed to support both environmental conservation and local fishermen.
Health services are also expanding in the area, with a SICVD satellite center recently opened in Baldia Town to provide cardiac care close to home. For recreation and sports, a new sports complex in Mauripur Town is expected to open by year's end, while a Rs1.2 billion complex in Baldia will be completed by March 2026.
Reaffirming his commitment to inclusive development, the mayor said, "Karachi is a beautiful bouquet of communities. It's not language or ethnicity that divides us - it's the mindset of division that must be rejected." He called on all political parties to work together on a "Charter of Karachi" for unified action on the city's challenges.
The mayor announced the restoration of six historic markets in Karachi to preserve the city's heritage, adding, "I was born here, and I will continue working for this city like it's my own family. Karachi's revival is underway - and everyone is invited to be a part of it."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Express Tribune
No Jack Antonoff or Aaron Dessner? Taylor Swift's playlist hints at 'The Life of a Showgirl' producer
Taylor Swift has sparked fresh speculation about her upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl with a move that points to a possible collaboration with renowned producer Max Martin. At 12:12 a.m. on August 12, Swift officially announced her 12th studio album. Moments later, billboards appeared in New York City and Nashville linking to a newly public Spotify playlist titled 'And, baby, that's show business for you.' The playlist, created two weeks earlier, went live shortly after the announcement. Featuring a sparkly mint green background and orange 'T.S.' initials with stars replacing the periods, the playlist contains 22 songs from Swift's past catalogue, including "22", "Blank Space", "Style", "We Are Never Getting Back Together", and "Wildest Dreams". Significantly, every track was produced by Max Martin, who last worked with Swift on her 2017 album Reputation. This prompted theories that Martin is returning to co-produce The Life of a Showgirl. Martin is one of the most influential figures in modern pop, having written and produced hits for Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Pink, Katy Perry, Usher, Kesha, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Justin Timberlake, Selena Gomez, and The Weeknd. If involved, Martin's return could signal a strong pop direction for Swift's upcoming project. In the past, Swift has often worked closely with other renowned producers like Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner. While no official production credits have been confirmed for her 12th album, the curated playlist appears to be a deliberate hint at the album's sonic influences. With Swift's history of embedding clues into her promotional campaigns, fans are now watching closely for further signs ahead of the album's release. For now, The Life of a Showgirl remains without a confirmed date, but anticipation continues to build.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Express Tribune
Epic Games CEO criticises report on Disney mode delays in Fortnite as 'BS'
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has strongly denied recent claims in The Wall Street Journal that Disney has delayed the development of Fortnite's upcoming Disney mode due to slow decision-making by the entertainment giant. The WSJ report suggested internal frustration within Epic over the pace of Disney sign-offs, stating the new mode would not launch until 'fall 2026 at the earliest.' Executives were said to be unhappy with delays caused by multiple layers of approval. Responding on social media, Sweeney labelled the anonymous remark as 'BS.' He wrote: 'The speed of Disney and Epic collaborations like Darth Vader has been awesome and is around 10x the ordinary speed of media company dealings in this business. We even provided a statement to the writer… but they chose not to print it.' The Disney collaboration was first revealed in February 2024. Details remain limited, although concept art has hinted at a virtual Disneyland-style environment featuring themed hubs. The specific gameplay elements of this mode remain undisclosed. The WSJ noted that Josh D'Amaro, head of Disney Parks and Resorts, is overseeing the project and has reportedly spent time with Sweeney during development. The article also raised concerns over legal ownership of fan-created content involving Disney characters, such as in-game dances. Epic's partnership with Disney has already resulted in extensive Fortnite content, including Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and classic animation skins. One recent initiative tested an AI-powered Darth Vader character who could interact via generative speech, engaging with over 10 million players despite early moderation issues. Fortnite is entering its next season, featuring a mutated biome and guest appearances from Halo characters.
Express Tribune
04-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Faizi Rahmeen Art Gallery yet to open doors
For over 35 years, art enthusiasts in Karachi and around the world have awaited the completion of the Faizi Rahmeen Art Gallery, a once-ambitious cultural project that remains unfinished in the heart of Pakistan's largest city. According to details, the Faizi Rahmeen Art Gallery, located on M.R. Kiyani Road in Karachi, has remained incomplete since the past three decades. The project was initiated during the tenure of former MQM Mayor Dr Farooq Sattar, and by 1992, construction of a ground-plus-three-storey structure was completed. At the time, the estimated cost stood at Rs80 million. Work was progressing rapidly until the launch of "Operation Clean-Up" against the MQM, which led to the dissolution of the elected local government system and brought the project to a halt. In the following era of administration-led governance, no further attention was paid to the gallery's completion. A brief revival occurred in 2007, but work remained limited to the installation of glass panels and floor tiling. Even now, the building's core civil works are only about 70 per cent complete. A stage and a hall with seating for 1,800 people have been constructed but plastering and finishing work remain unfinished. Key elements such as electrical and mechanical systems, a revolving stage, and a professional sound system are still pending. It is worth noting that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC)'s Culture, Recreation and Sports Department, affiliated with the Karachi Arts Council, office is at the site. This office was formerly the residence of renowned author Atiya Begum and her husband, the celebrated artist Faizi Rahmeen. This legendary couple, devoted to the promotion of literature, art, and music, migrated to Karachi from India at the request of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at the time of Pakistan's founding. Following his instructions, this plot of land was allotted to them. Atiya's home in India was named Awan-e-Riffat, and the Karachi residence retained the same name, which endures to this day. Before her death, Atiya Begum donated her home, the adjacent open plot, valuable paintings, garments, rare books, and other artefacts to KMC in trust with the explicit intention that an art gallery be established on the site. KMC subsequently set up its Culture, Sports and Recreation office at Awan-e-Riffat, along with a small library housing Atiya and Faizi Rahmeen's collection of books and a few displayed paintings. The Faizi Rahmeen Art Gallery is meant to be built on the same plot entrusted by Atiya Begum. A senior officer from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the Faizi Rahmeen Art Gallery remained incomplete due to a lack of political priority given to arts, culture, or recreational activities for citizens. "Those in power are primarily focused on constructing roads, bridges, and underpasses; projects that are highly visible and offer clear political gains by boosting vote banks. Just as road infrastructure is essential for the economy and transportation, cultural and sporting activities are vital for the intellectual and physical development of individuals. Since the land was donated in trust, only KMC has the mandate to complete this project. It cannot be transferred to any other entity," noted the official. Meanwhile, Syed Mehdi Maluf Zaidi, Senior Director for Culture, Sports and Recreation at KMC, confirmed that the gallery project had been stalled for over three decades. "We now require an estimated amount of Rs1 billion to complete the project. Our team is preparing to submit the PC-1 proposal to senior authorities for approval. In the interim, we plan to organize an exhibition showcasing the paintings, garments, and rare artefacts of Atiya Begum and Faizi Rahmeen as soon as possible," said Zaidi.
