Mayor kicks off Rs70mn uplift projects in Lyari

**KARACHI: Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, on Sunday, laid foundation stones for various development projects worth Rs 700 million in the old City areas.**These projects include the construction of roads, rehabilitation of the sewerage system, improvement of street lights and electrification.

On the occasion, Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, elected representatives and a large number of local residents were present.

The Mayor, while to the media on this occasion, said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is taking practical and concrete steps for the development and restoration of the historic Old City Area. That, the year 2026 has been declared the year of completion of development projects.

He stated that equipping the Old City Area with modern urban facilities is KMC’s top priority. All development projects will be completed within the stipulated timeframe in a transparent and quality-driven manner, and a target has been set to complete the ongoing works in the Old City Area by June 30, 2026.

He said that approximately Rs 700 million will be spent by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation on the Old City Area. Under these projects, rehabilitation of roads, paver blocks, wearing courses and sewerage lines in Jodia Bazaar, Bolton Market, Mithadar and Kharadar is included.

Mayor said that Lee Market is a historic and old building, whose restoration will be carried out at a cost of Rs 100 million. The rehabilitation work of Lee Market will be done by securing its original condition in consultation and cooperation with traders. The project will be completed within 90 days. Since the Old City Area is a hub of commercial activities, the role of traders here is very important, and improvement will be possible only if the government, administration and traders work together.

He said that better coordination will be ensured that no other agency comes up to dig a road once it is completed. Local residents and the trader community will also have to play their role in protecting these development works.

The development works have already been carried out in Khajoor Bazaar and other markets, and Machi Miani Market will also be improved on the lines of Hathi Market and Empress Market.

The Mayor further said that practical measures are also being taken to resolve the city’s long-standing water issues. The work on laying new water lines in Lyari will be completed by June 2026.

The issue of the K-IV augmentation project has been resolved and work on the project has begun.

He informed that Rs 71 billion will be spent on the installation of water pipelines, as Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s vision is that water is a basic right of the people.

He said that in the past, actions against water theft in Karachi used to face delays. However, with the establishment of the Water Tribunal, this issue will be effectively addressed. Legislation related to the Water Tribunal has been completed, and with the help of the Chief Justice, the appointment of a judge has also been finalized.

The formal inauguration of the Water Tribunal will take place within next couple of days.

According to the Mayor, street lighting and electrification work in the Old City Area will also be completed according to site requirements, which will bring significant improvement in drainage, traffic flow and public convenience.

Four hundred thousand square feet of blocks will be laid, eight hundred and fifty thousand square feet of roads will be constructed, and extensive rehabilitation work of the sewerage system will be carried out.

The Mayor said that the Pakistan Peoples Party, under a clear vision and manifesto, is fulfilling the promises made to the people.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026