Mayor disburses Rs310m pension dues, announces digital pension cards
KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday distributed Rs310 million as pension arrears among retired employees of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and announced the launch of a computerised KMC Pension Card to streamline pension payments and enhance transparency.
Speaking at a cheque distribution ceremony, the Mayor said resolving the long-pending financial issues of retired KMC employees had been one of the top priorities of the present city administration.
He said many pensioners had been deprived of their legitimate dues for years because of what he described as the flawed policies of previous administrations, but the current elected leadership had taken concrete steps to clear the backlog.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, Municipal Commissioner Abrar Jaffer, Pakistan People’s Party parliamentary leader in the City Council Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad Jaman Darwan, Peoples Labour Bureau Karachi Division President Aslam Samoo and senior KMC officials.
The Mayor said that when the current city administration assumed office three years ago, KMC was burdened with pension liabilities of nearly Rs11 billion. Through improved financial management and better utilisation of available resources, pension arrears of employees who retired between 2013 and 2019 were being cleared in phases.
“Today we are disbursing Rs310 million among retired employees, while approximately Rs6.2 billion in pension arrears still remains to be paid. Work to clear these outstanding liabilities is progressing steadily,” he said.
Wahab added that KMC had also succeeded in ensuring that all retired employees now receive their monthly pensions on the first day of every month, with no outstanding liabilities relating to regular pension payments.
He credited the achievement to the collective efforts of the City Council, Deputy Mayor, elected representatives, the Peoples Labour Bureau and KMC officials.
The Mayor also announced the introduction of computerized KMC Pension Cards, saying the initiative would modernize the pension payment system, improve convenience for retirees and ensure greater financial transparency through digital disbursements.
Highlighting ongoing financial reforms, he said the implementation of the SAP digital management system had significantly strengthened transparency by eliminating fake recruitments and financial irregularities.
He said investigations had uncovered cases of dual employment in KMC, the Karachi Development Authority and other public institutions.
He further revealed that around 1,200 fake pension beneficiaries had been identified who were allegedly drawing unauthorized pension payments amounting to Rs57 million. He said all future payments would be processed through a fully digital system to prevent fraud and strengthen accountability.
The Mayor also announced that a long-standing financial dispute with K-Electric had been resolved, under which approximately Rs1.4 billion would be transferred to KMC during the current month.
“These funds will be utilised for the welfare of employees and for development projects benefiting the citizens of Karachi,” he said.
Reviewing the city’s development programme, Wahab said the current administration had completed several major infrastructure projects, including Shahrah-e-Bhutto, the Korangi Causeway Bridge, Senator Taj Haider Bridge, Karimabad Underpass, Bhains Colony-Ibrahim Hyderi Flyover, and the Azeempura Flyover.
He announced that two more flyovers would soon be constructed at the Mai Kolachi Road railway crossing and near Disco Bakery in Gulshan-e-Iqbal to improve traffic flow.
The Mayor further said Rs200 million had been allocated for development and beautification works around mosques ahead of Rabi-ul-Awwal.
Referring to his administration’s performance, Wahab said his politics was centred on public service and development. The progress achieved by KMC was the result of collective efforts rather than individual accomplishments.
While acknowledging the opposition’s democratic right to protest, he urged political parties to adopt a constructive approach focused on solving public issues. KMC would continue working to improve civic services and infrastructure for Karachi’s residents, he reassured.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026