KARACHI: Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Sunday inaugurated the Fish Food Street in Keamari on Sunday, a venue aimed at providing a “unique recreational space for the citizens”.

Speaking at the event, the mayor said that a new center for entertainment and taste has been established for the people of Karachi in Keamari.

He said the street offers a wide range of local and traditional cuisines, including various fish and other seafood dishes, BBQ etc. Excellent arrangements have been made for food lovers and comfortable seating has been provided for families, he added.

Sharing the project details, the mayor said the development work of the food street includes space of 62,000 square feet covered with pavers and 35,000 square feet with tuff tiles, installation of 25 Victorian-style poles, 1,400 running feet of sewerage line, two arch-style entrance gates with name boards, 100,000 square feet of patchwork, and an area of 3,000 running feet covered with kerb stones. Beautification work in the surrounding areas has also been completed, along with the installation of 500 colorful umbrellas.

“This project provides a new, modern, and unique recreational space for the citizens and tourists where aesthetics and convenience go hand-in-hand,” added Mayor Wahab. “Such projects will continue to enhance the beauty and attractiveness of Karachi and ensure improved facilities for its residents, helping shape a positive image of the city.

He said a long-standing issue of the people of this area has finally been resolved under the leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party. Residents had long wished for a food street in Keamari similar to the one at Burns Road, but their demand was ignored by the authorities. However, under the leadership and vision of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, work is being carried out without discrimination in every area of Karachi, he observed.

In the last fiscal year, the KMC also completed the reconstruction of the road leading to the oil terminal.

Mayor Wahab also shared that entire port traffic passing through Keamari causes inconvenience to locals, therefore, the PPP leadership has decided to redirect heavy traffic away from the city center through Shahrah-i-Bhutto to Kathore.

“That project is progressing successfully,” he said. “The segment from Qayyumabad to Quaidabad is now operational, with over 12,000 vehicles using Shahrah-i-Bhutto daily. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will inaugurate the Kathore segment of the project on Dec 31, 2025.”

He said the Native Jetty Bridge in the past was in poor condition, and that the Jinnah Bridge project was also completed under the leadership of PPP’s elected mayor, deputy mayor, town chairmen and assembly members. As a result, major bridges including those of Native Jetty, Jinnah and ICI are now being restored through PPP’s leadership, he added.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, MPAs Asif Khan and Liaquat Askani, Deputy Parliamentary Leader in City Council Dil Muhammad, Jumman Darwan, Mauripur Town Chairman Humayun Khan and Vice Chairman Asif Kausar, members of the City Council, elected representatives and a large number of other dignitaries.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2025