Mayor writes to governor, seeks federal support for Karachi development package

After the Sindh governor asked Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab to submit a list of development projects requiring federal funding, the mayor formally presented a proposal worth Rs79 billion on Monday, seeking federal support for major infrastructure initiatives.

Wahab has written to Governor Kamran Khan Tessori, urging federal support for key development projects in the city. In his letter, sent on Monday, the mayor expressed gratitude to the governor for his keen interest in Karachi’s progress.

"I am grateful that you are taking a keen interest in the development of Karachi. We have always maintained that the federal government is not prioritising the city’s construction and development, depriving it of its fair share in projects," he said.

The mayor welcomed the governor’s offer to secure Rs100 billion from the federal government for Karachi and outlined projects requiring federal financial assistance. He stressed the importance of urban regeneration initiatives to improve the city's deteriorating landscape.

He highlighted the worst-affected areas and pointed out that several localities fall under federal jurisdiction. He urged the governor to assist the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) in launching urban regeneration projects in Pakistan Quarters, Jamshed Quarters, and Martin Quarters.

He also noted that valuable federal government properties exist in Karachi’s old city area and business districts. To ease traffic congestion, he proposed constructing parking plazas, particularly on land provided by the Sindh government to the Pakistan Railways on MA Jinnah Road and II Chundrigar Road. He urged the governor to intervene in the matter.

Mayor Wahab informed the governor that the KMC, with its resources and support from the Sindh government, is already undertaking extensive development work. However, he stressed that the federal government’s participation is crucial for Karachi’s progress.

The mayor underscored that the proposed federally funded projects would boost the country’s business environment and help address environmental challenges.

He sought the governor’s assistance in securing immediate federal funding for the following key initiatives and proposed projects and requested federal funding: Expressway construction (Shahrah-e-Bhutto to Port Qasim via National Highway) – Rs14 billion; Northern Bypass rehabilitation, expansion, and widening (to Karachi Port) – Rs35 billion; Drug rehabilitation centre at Gutter Baghicha – Rs2 billion;

Karachi Metropolitan University: Construction of Administration & Academic Blocks – Rs3 billion; Expansion of Safari Park – Rs5 billion; Development of a 200-acre Green Zone at Gutter Baghicha – Rs2 billion; Coastal area restoration in Karachi – Rs5 billion; Cleaning and restoration of Karachi Harbour – Rs5 billion;

Slaughterhouse & processing facility at Northern Bypass – Rs3 billion; And Water recycling project at Korangi Creek – Rs5 billion; The mayor reiterated that Karachi’s progress depends on federal cooperation and urged the governor to facilitate funding for these critical infrastructure and development projects.