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Express Tribune
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Keamari gets tasteful makeover with 'Fish Food Street'
A new culinary destination has opened in Keamari, as the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) unveiled the city's first 'Fish Food Street', designed to promote local cuisine, tourism, and cultural vibrancy in one of the oldest seaside districts of the metropolis. 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."
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
KMC Council passes Rs55b budget with majority
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Council approved a budget of Rs55.28 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26, by a majority vote, during a session chaired by Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab. Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad and Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi were also in attendance, along with other notable figures. For the first time in KMC's history, all council members were given the opportunity to participate in discussions and offer suggestions before the budget was passed. Wahab stated that the new budget will open fresh avenues for the city's development and ensure equal treatment for all union committees. He reassured that the promises made to the people of Karachi would be fulfilled, emphasising that development funds had been allocated fairly across all areas. The mayor acknowledged input from both the treasury and opposition benches, noting that useful proposals had been presented for the improvement of the city's development projects. He also expressed hope that all elected representatives would support public welfare initiatives through mutual consultation. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Leader Karamullah Waqasi appreciated the manner in which the budget was presented, allowing every member to express their views. He noted that development work was underway across 246 union committees, with 71% of the planned work completed. Further, Waqasi urged accountability in case of any corruption, and clarified that the Rs3 billion allocated for the K-IV water project had been provided by the federal government, not the city administration. Separately, Council member Najmi Alam highlighted equal spending of the CLIP fund across towns, confirming that Rs20 million had been allocated to each union committee. He also pointed out that stormwater drains were clogged with plastic bags, proposing a ban on plastic use. Deputy Parliamentary Leader Juman Darwan, stating that a budget reflects the performance of an institution, criticised the federal government for making promises to Karachi but failing in deliverance. He praised the KMC budget for addressing key urban challenges including sewerage, water supply, roads, and other critical sectors. Following approval of the budget, the city council meeting was adjourned indefinitely.
Express Tribune
24-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
'People's expectations fulfilled'
City Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Tuesday presented the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the City Council. Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad and Municipal Commissioner S.M. Afzal Zaidi were also present. During his budget speech, the mayor stated that the decisions made over the past two years for the improvement, development, infrastructure restoration, and removal of encroachment in Karachi - along with the renovation of the city's historical buildings - are now producing visible results. He emphasised that difficult decisions were made to serve people in better ways. Parliamentary leaders, opposition leaders, and council members also offered suggestions and shared their views on the budget. The 2025-26 budget includes development projects selected in consultation with honorable council members, reflecting the commitment to work for the broader and long-term interests of the city. He said, every effort has been made to fulfill the expectations people. Presenting the highlights of the budget the mayor said that KMC employee salaries have been shifted to the World Bank's SAP system. Retired employees' pensions will also be integrated into SAP next, ensuring timely payments and tamper-proof records. He said, Municipal Utility Charges & Taxes (MUCT) collection through K-Electric bills has resumed, with Rs1.7 billion collected so far this year. Next year, up to Rs3.5 billion is expected to be collected, which will aid infrastructure improvement and KMC's financial self-sufficiency. Development without discrimination was carried out in all seven districts, including, A 1.5 km road connecting Lyari to the port and shipyard (Rs56 million), overlay and patchwork on both tracks of Hub River Road (180,000 ft), repairs and carpeting of Malir River Bridge and adjacent road from Anwar Baloch Hotel to Murghi Khana Bus Stop. Construction of a 1.4km overhead bridge on Korangi Causeway. He said Long-pending dues of retired and deceased KMC and DMC employees were addressed. KMC, through its own resources, paid Rs600 million and cleared all dues up to June 2018. Through investment, Rs576 million was earned and a total of Rs1.3 billion was disbursed. He said KMC is the first municipal body in Pakistan to begin converting its buildings to solar energy. Rs220.2 million has been allocated for this in the upcoming fiscal year, with plans to solarise markets, parks, and streetlights. He said renovation of Denso Hall, Khaliq Dina Hall, KMC Building, and Frere Hall has been completed. Next year, six more historical structures - including Empress Market, Muhammad Ali Hothi Market, Machhi Miani Market, and Lea Market - will be restored to their original form.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
KMC to run public parks on rental basis
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) on Monday decided to run its public parks on a rental basis or through public-private partnership (P-PP). The general council meeting also approved the collection of tax from wedding halls except this in the cantonment areas, besides increasing the fee of pathology labs at KMC hospitals and imposing fine on car wash gangs that operate outside the commercial centres. Mayor Murtaza Wahab chaired the general council session of KMC on Monday, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad and Municipal Commissioner Syed Mohammad Afzal Zaidi. A total of 14 key resolutions were passed during the session, addressing both administrative reforms and matters of public interest. A resolution was passed to pay tribute to the Pakistan Army for the successful Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos. The council approved the determination of the number of KMC committees. Authority to issue trade licenses was delegated to Union Committees. A resolution was passed to resolve the land dispute between KMC and K-Electric regarding Railway Quarters. Fines were imposed on illegal car washing In front of commerical centres and plazas and unauthorized use of water from water board pipelines in nurseries. The imprest account limit for the Enterprise and Investment Promotion Department was increased. Moreover charges for laboratory tests conducted at KMC hospitals were revised and increased. A plot in Orangi Township was split - one part allocated to Pakistan Post, and the other designated for auction or a public-private partnership.
Express Tribune
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
City Council for daytime curfew on heavy traffic
The Karachi Metropolitan Municipality Council has passed 15 resolutions, including two calling for the removal of illegal encroachments in business centres and along roads, and ban on heavy traffic in city limits during day time. The council session, presided over by Mayor Murtaza Wahab, also referred five other resolutions to committees for further review within 30 days. The session, where Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad and Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi were also in attendance, also expressed concerns regarding road accidents caused by the alleged negligence of the "dumper mafia." The council members demanded a complete ban on the entry of heavy traffic in the city during daytime to prevent such incidents. A resolution presented by Hafiz Mubashir-ul-Haq, Junaid Makati, Farhan Baig, and Taimur Ahmed further stressed the need for a ban on heavy traffic during fixed hours. It also called for public transport, rickshaws, and Qingqi rickshaws to only stop at designated places. Another important resolution was about the management of slaughterhouses, which the council suggested be operated under a public-private partnership for renovation and better efficiency. This resolution was referred to a committee for further evaluation.
