Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that the foundation stone laid for the Bab-e-Khyber to Sector 4 Orangi Road improvement and rehabilitation project, with a cost of over Rs. 182 million, is another important step by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation towards improving the city’s infrastructure. He stated that the launch of development projects in District West will provide better travel facilities to citizens and help reduce their long-standing problems.
He said that development work is progressing rapidly on the 15.4-meter-wide and 1,378-meter-long road, where asphalt and aggregate base course construction is underway. The project also includes a drainage system to resolve rainwater and sewage issues. He added that infrastructure improvement and rehabilitation in Karachi are being carried out in accordance with international standards, and development works are being ensured across all areas without discrimination. The development of backward and neglected areas of Karachi remains a top priority.
He further said that under the vision of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is continuing public welfare projects without discrimination and with continuity. The rehabilitation of roads in Orangi Town will provide real relief to the public, and informal settlements are being permanently integrated into the national development mainstream. Development works are progressing at an equal pace and in a transparent manner in every town of Karachi, and all promises made to the public are being fulfilled in the form of practical actions and ground realities. Work on development projects aimed at improving civic facilities is being carried out at a fast pace, and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation remains active day and night for the city’s development and progress.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held on Saturday on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Bab-e-Khyber to Sector 4 Orangi Road construction and rehabilitation project in District West. On this occasion, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh Ali Ahmed Jan, Pakistan Peoples Party Karachi General Secretary Rauf Nagori, Chairman Mauripur Mir Bahar Town Ali Akbar, KMC City Council Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Jaman Darwan, PPP leaders Habib and Ikhtiar Shah, UC Chairman Rana Ilyas, and others were also present.
Addressing the ceremony, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that the Bab-e-Khyber to Sector 4 Orangi Town road is located in a densely populated area and is used daily by hundreds of thousands of people. However, its condition had remained extremely poor for a long time. He said that coming here today was not for an announcement or a promise, but for the fulfillment of a promise made to the public, and that practical work on the project has begun from today.
The Mayor said that under the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is going to complete this project for the people of the area so that a decades-old problem can be resolved on a permanent basis. He said that this is the time to honor promises, and instructions have been given to the Engineering Department and KMC teams to ensure the project is completed within 60 to 90 days, with work continuing day and night.
He further said that work is ongoing at the Orangi Town pumping station, which has improved supply and the overall system. He remarked that the law remains the same and the powers remain the same; only the personalities have changed. “Not a kite, scales, or a bat, but a servant of Allah has come who is fulfilling the promises made to the people of Karachi,” he said. He announced that this year is the year of completion of development works, and that Rs. 46 billion will be spent on development projects in Karachi, with work underway across all districts without discrimination.
Mayor Karachi said that he will soon visit Lea Market, Natha Khan Bridge, Baloch Colony, and other areas, while development work is already progressing rapidly at locations such as Landhi Kotal Chowrangi, Baloch Colony Expressway, and other sites. He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party has always stood with the people in their joys and sorrows, and the journey of development and improvement in the city will continue.
Responding to questions from media representatives, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that some people only talk and hold press conferences, while “we show results through work.” He said that billions of rupees have been collected under the head of road cutting, yet roads in areas such as Nazimabad, New Karachi, and North Karachi remain in a dilapidated condition. He emphasized that road-cutting funds are not for any political party, but are meant for road rehabilitation.
He further said that Karachi is a hospitable city where everyone is welcomed, and that tolerance and patience should always be promoted. In this spirit, all matters should be resolved through dialogue and understanding. He said that traffic jams occurred in various parts of the city the previous day, causing severe difficulties for citizens. “We must solve public problems through our actions, not worsen them through such activities,” he added.
He said that road closures and traffic congestion adversely affect ordinary citizens; therefore, moving towards solutions within the framework of the law is the need of the hour. He concluded by saying that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will continue to take all possible measures to facilitate citizens and ensure discipline and tolerance in the city.