KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that BYD Karachi Marathon 2026 “Run for Karachi” is not only a sports event but also an effective platform to showcase Karachi’s positive, vibrant, and peaceful image to the world.
He said that the 5-kilometre marathon will start at 10:00 a.m. on January 04, so that a maximum number of citizens can participate and become part of the event.
International-level athletes are also coming to Karachi to participate in the marathon; therefore, citizens should take part enthusiastically so that the world can be shown that Karachi is a lively, safe, and sports-friendly city.
Unfortunately, Karachi’s image is often distorted before the world, he said, but such events help negate this perception.
The Mayor expressed these views while addressing a press conference organized in connection with the BYD Karachi Marathon at A.K. Khan Park, Sea View. On the occasion, DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah, athletes, organizers, and others were also present.
Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that “Run for Karachi” is an excellent and purposeful slogan that reflects love and attachment to the city, and that such events play an important role in highlighting the city in a positive manner.
Referring to major events successfully held in Karachi over the past few months, he said that during the National Games, 11,000 athletes came to Karachi, participated, and enjoyed the city. Following this, the World Festival, Literature Festival, Urdu Conference, and other events were also organized smoothly in Karachi, which proves that the city has complete capacity to host large-scale events.
He said that on December 31, 2025, the citizens of Karachi warmly welcomed the New Year; millions of people came out on the streets, celebrated, and a peaceful environment was witnessed across the city.
In the past, roads used to be closed, containers were placed, and citizens were deprived of recreational activities; however, this time the city remained open, traffic problems were not seen, and no mismanagement was observed anywhere.
The Mayor expressed his resolve that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) will continue to provide citizens with recreational facilities, healthy activities, and positive opportunities, and that BYD Karachi Marathon 2026 is an important link in this chain, which will help give Karachi a positive identity at the global level.
He said that organizing major sports and recreational events in Karachi is an effective way to present the city’s positive image to the world, and that KMC will provide all possible support under this vision.
He said that at the beginning of the New Year, on January 4, international event is going to be held in Karachi, for which, as Mayor, he congratulates all the organizers and assures them of full support from KMC to make the event successful.
The Mayor said that he wanted this year’s event to be so successful that next year a marathon is organized across the entire city, including the Old City area, with the same exemplary management.
Sharing his vision, he said that next year’s marathon should start from Mazar-e-Quaid, pass through Empress Market, Zeb-un-Nisa Street, and the Tower area, and reach Sea View via Shahrah-e-Faisal or Clifton.
Wahab said that he wants the next marathon to take place throughout the city, beginning from Mazar-e-Quaid.
The Mayor stated that for this purpose, the Sindh Government, KMC, and the Traffic Department will jointly take the lead and, through mutual cooperation, continue to organize such events in the future.
He also announced that on March 23, a cycling event will be organized in Karachi so that people associated with cycling also get the opportunity to come onto Karachi’s roads and participate in cycling races while passing through different areas of the city.
He said that this is his vision and this is the Karachi he believes in. Karachi’s positive image and positive activities will continue, and that the government, administration, and organizers will jointly promote such activities on a large scale.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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