KARACHI: Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Friday distributed 500 “modern street lights” among Union Council (UC) chairmen and 50 fumigation machines to town chairmen, saying the initiative was aimed at improving municipal services and restoring lighting in streets and neighbourhoods across the city.

Speaking at a ceremony at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) head office, Mayor Wahab said the streetlights were being provided on the request of UC chairmen and fulfilled a commitment he had made during the budget session. He said the lights had been distributed among the city’s Towns without discrimination.

“The purpose of providing these modern streetlights is to illuminate the respective areas and restore the lights and vibrancy of Karachi,” he said.

The mayor said the fumigation machines would strengthen municipal services at the UC level and help Town administrations improve cleanliness and public health measures.

Town chairmen given 50 fumigation machines

The KMC Municipal Commissioner Abrar Jaffer, Finance Advisor Gulzar Abro, PPP Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Jaman Darwan, parliamentary leaders of other political parties and UC chairmen attended the ceremony.

Mayor Wahab said fire safety equipment, including oxygen masks and other essential devices, had also been handed over to the KMC Fire Brigade Department to improve the safety of firefighters during emergency operations.

He said non-functional fire tenders would be restored this year and returned to service in different parts of Karachi. He thanked President Asif Ali Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and the Pakistan People’s Party leadership for their cooperation in upgrading the Fire Brigade Department at a cost of Rs7 billion. The mayor called for political cooperation to accelerate development in Karachi, saying political differences should be set aside in the larger interest of the city.

“A politics of tolerance has begun, and development works are being carried out in all areas of Karachi through your efforts,” he said, urging elected representatives to work together for the betterment of citizens.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2026