• Wahab says KMC has launched uplift schemes worth billions of rupees using its own resources
• Asks TMCs to stop making excuses about limited powers, funds
• City Council’s opposition leader questions quality of major infrastructure projects, seeks audit of development funds and details of incomplete projects

KARACHI: A war of words over the city’s development erupted between the mayor and the opposition on Monday, with Mayor Murtaza Wahab claiming that development work had resumed across all seven districts after years of neglect, while Opposition Leader in the City Council Advocate Saifuddin questioned the quality, transparency and pace of the projects, demanding a detailed account of development funds and incomplete schemes.

Addressing a press conference, the mayor said the city was witnessing development without political discrimination, citing ongoing road, water, sewerage, healthcare, sanitation and infrastructure projects.

He said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) was spending billions of rupees from its own resources and urged town municipal corporations (TMCs), especially controlled by the opposition Jamaat-i-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, to work alongside the city government rather than make excuses about limited powers and funds.

However, Advocate Saifuddin rejected the mayor’s claims regarding the development projects and said residents were facing difficulties because of poor-quality work in various towns.

Calling for accountability within his own party’s jurisdictions, he asked the mayor for an audit of development funds allocated to the TMCs that come under JI. He then questioned how many KMC Annual Development Programme (ADP) schemes had been completed and how many remained unfinished despite payments.

The opposition leader also raised questions about the construction quality of major projects, including the Hub Canal and the water supply pipeline in Lyari, while calling for accountability over public spending.

The mayor’s claims

Addressing the press conference at the KMC headquarters, the mayor said his corporation had announced a development budget of Rs68 billion to Rs70bn for the current financial year, adding that projects worth billions of rupees were underway across Karachi.

He said the KMC was carrying out several major schemes from its own resources, including the Chakor Nullah Expressway, being built at a cost of around Rs1bn and the rehabilitation of approximately 140 roads at an estimated cost of Rs13bn.

He said the expressway project was nearing completion and would significantly reduce travel time for commuters heading towards Gulistan-i-Jauhar. The project was expected to open within 30 to 35 days.

A further Rs1bn was being spent on replacing streetlights along 41 major roads, while a new flyover on Garden Nishtar Road, also costing around Rs1bn, was expected to be completed within 100 days.

On water supply, the mayor said the 10-million-gallon-per-day K-III elevated water pipeline for Lyari had been completed and would undergo testing within seven to eight days.

The mayor said the new block of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital covering 200,000 square feet had been completed, with outpatient services expected to begin within the week.

The mayor also announced that three garbage transfer stations were nearing completion and that around Rs30bn was being invested in waste management.

Taking a swipe at critics, Wahab said Karachi’s development was a collective responsibility and urged town administrations to cooperate with the KMC.

“Instead of making excuses about a lack of powers and resources, there is a need for commitment and practical action,” he said, adding that the city government had taken the initiative and development work was now underway across all seven districts.

Opposition’s response

Hardly an hour after the mayor’s presser, the city council opposition leader held a counter press conference at his office, challenging the mayor’s claims, demanding accountability for development spending and questioning the quality of major infrastructure projects.

The opposition leader cited the Hub Canal, reportedly built for Rs12bn, which he claimed developed cracks and suffered damage just three days after its inauguration. He said a section of the canal had reportedly broken even during construction, raising questions about the quality of work and the use of public funds. He also referred to concerns raised by World Bank representatives over safety measures during repair work on the project.

Raising questions about the K-III water pipeline project in Lyari, Mr Saifuddin claimed that a section of the pipeline had collapsed during installation and remained in that condition for a long time, causing difficulties for residents.

He said the authorities must explain the quality of construction and the safeguards adopted in major public projects. public funds. He also referred to concerns raised by World Bank representatives over safety measures during repair work on the project.

Raising questions about the K-III water pipeline project in Lyari, Mr Saifuddin claimed that a section of the pipeline had collapsed during installation and remained in that condition for a long time, causing difficulties for residents.

He said the authorities must explain the quality of construction and the safeguards adopted in major public projects.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2026