• Murad says organised commercial spaces can attract investment, generate employment and strengthen economic activity at neighbourhood level
• Calls for regular maintenance, proper waste management, pedestrian safety and effective traffic management to keep the food walk attractive and functional
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Sunday evening inaugurated the Rs250 million Sindhi Muslim Food Walk in Chanesar Town, marking a major step towards transforming of one of Karachi’s popular commercial and food destinations into a more organised, attractive and pedestrian-friendly public space.
He also urged other town administrations to undertake similar initiatives through improved revenue generation and efficient utilisation of their financial resources.
According to an official statement, the urban improvement project aims to promote food and cultural tourism, facilitating local businesses, improving civic infrastructure and providing residents and visitors with a better environment to enjoy the city’s rich culinary culture.
Following the inauguration, the chief minister visited different eateries along the Food Walk, interacted with restaurant owners, customers and members of the public, and mingled with people enjoying the lively atmosphere.
He also obliged citizens by posing for selfies, turning the occasion into an opportunity for public interaction beyond the formal inauguration ceremony.
The visit underscored the importance of making public spaces more accessible and welcoming, while connecting urban development initiatives with the everyday lives of citizens.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, he congratulated the Chanesar Town Municipal Corporation Chairman Farhan Ghani, municipal commissioner, engineers, contractors and workers who had contributed to the project’s completion.
The chief minister said Sindhi Muslim was already among Karachi’s well-known commercial and food destinations, attracting visitors from different parts of the city.
He said the Food Walk was not merely a beautification scheme but a comprehensive urban improvement initiative designed to make the area more accessible, attractive, organised and convenient for businesses, visitors and residents.
According to the statement, the development works include replacement of sewerage lines, installation of underground electrical cabling and removal of overhead wires, rehabilitation of roads and pedestrian footpaths, installation of modern streetlights, bollard lights and decorative lighting, plantation and landscaping, beautification of roundabouts, improvement of parking facilities and diversion roads, and installation of traffic signs and road markings.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said such improvements would enhance the experience of visitors and create a more organised environment for restaurants, shops and other businesses operating in the area.
Highlighting Karachi’s potential for food and cultural tourism, the chief minister said the city’s cuisine, traditions, diversity and hospitality were important elements of its identity. Initiatives such as the Sindhi Muslim Food Walk could help unlock this potential by creating opportunities for restaurants, small businesses, entrepreneurs, vendors and the local workforce.
He observed that better public infrastructure and organised commercial spaces could attract private investment, generate employment and strengthen economic activity at the neighbourhood level.
Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2026
