KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) on Thursday announced that it would launch a Rs750 million “comprehensive solarisation initiative” during the upcoming fiscal year to help light streets, municipal buildings and selected public roads across the city.

Describing the initiative as part of its “commitment to sustainable urban development, environmental responsibility, and energy efficiency,” a KMC statement said the project would be launched in the next fiscal year but did not explain why it was announced separately just two days before the corporation’s scheduled budget presentation.

The statement said that the initiative aims to reduce dependence on conventional electricity sources, lower operational costs, promote renewable energy use, and ensure uninterrupted civic services, particularly in areas affected by frequent power outages. The project is expected to contribute significantly towards reducing Karachi’s carbon footprint while improving the efficiency of municipal operations.

“The solarisation programme is a continuation of the KMC’s efforts to modernise civic infrastructure and adopt environmentally sustainable solutions,” the statement quoted Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab as saying. “Climate resilience and energy sustainability are no longer optional; they are essential components of responsible urban management. Through this initiative, KMC is taking practical steps to reduce electricity costs, minimise its carbon footprint, and provide reliable municipal services to the people of Karachi.”

Mayor Wahab says initiative to be launched in FY27

The mayor said that the KMC’s journey towards renewable energy began over two years ago with the launch of an extensive street-lighting programme across the city. Under this initiative, the statement added, approximately 50 streetlights were provided to every Union Committee without any political consideration. During the current fiscal year, more than Rs110 million has been spent on the installation and improvement of street-lighting infrastructure across Karachi.

Major corridors, including Sharea Faisal, Shahrah-i-Firdousi, and Shahrah-i-Iran, have undergone significant improvements in lighting and urban infrastructure, producing encouraging results and enhancing the city’s appearance and public convenience, said the statement.

It added that as part of its sustainability efforts, the KMC has already solarised sections of its head office, resulting in substantial savings in electricity expenditure while reducing environmental impact. Encouraged by these results, the administration has decided to expand the solarisation model to additional KMC offices, Union Council facilities, and public infrastructure across the city.

The project is expected to particularly benefit remote and electricity-dependent localities where load-shedding continues to disrupt daily life. Solar-powered municipal facilities and street infrastructure will provide greater operational independence, improve service delivery, and enhance public convenience.

Mayor Wahab said that, unlike in the past when many development schemes remained limited to announcements and paperwork, the present KMC administration has focused on implementation and delivery.

“The people of Karachi can judge us by our performance. We have consistently fulfilled our commitments and translated promises into tangible results. Whether it is infrastructure development, road rehabilitation, parks, street lighting, digital governance, revenue reforms, or municipal services, KMC today is a significantly stronger and more effective institution than it was a few years ago,” added Mayor Wahab.

Published in Dawn, June 26 , 2026