• Mayor Wahab says all Karachi areas will be treated equally
• ‘Uneven’ allocation of uplift schemes irks opposition members
KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) approved its budget of Rs55.28 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26 through a majority vote during the City Council session chaired by Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Thursday.
However, despite the approval of the budget, the political divide within the council remained evident as the members on the opposition benches abstained from voting, voicing serious concerns over what they described as discriminatory and uneven allocation of development schemes.
The opposition’s refusal to participate in the vote, citing structural imbalances and unmet promises, cast a shadow over what was otherwise hailed as a democratic and participatory budgeting process.
Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad and Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi were also present during the session.
For the first time all council members were allowed to participate in the debate and submit their proposals prior to the budget’s passage.
In his address, Mayor Wahab stated that the new budget set the foundation for Karachi’s development and progress.
“All areas of Karachi will be treated equally. Developmental work will be carried out in every union committee [UC] without any discrimination,” he said, adding that the budget had been prepared with the input of elected representatives and reflected the city’s pressing needs.
The mayor congratulated the council on the budget’s passage and called for collective cooperation to address urban challenges.
However, despite the mayor’s reassurances, the opposition refused to endorse the budget, alleging bias in the distribution of schemes.
“There is clear discrimination in how schemes are being handed out. Some UCs have not received a single development scheme, while others have been granted projects worth Rs1.2 billion,” Opposition Leader Advocate Saifuddin said voicing sharp criticism.
He argued that many of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) schemes remain unexecuted, questioning the sincerity of budget implementation.
“We have been subjected to unfair treatment over the last two years. We are giving suggestions for Karachi’s development, not for our own benefit,” he said emphasising that the opposition would only support the budget once all Union Councils (UCs) receive schemes equitably, without political favouritism.
“We thank you for assurances, but they must be backed by real action,” he added.
Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Karamullah Waqasi, acknowledged the “inclusive” nature of this year’s budget session and noted that all members were given a fair opportunity to express their views.
“For the first time, the budget was presented with patience and mutual respect,” he said adding that while opposition criticism was a democratic right, it should remain constructive.
He informed the house that development work was already underway in the inner streets of all 246 UCs, with 71 per cent completion achieved.
He also defended allocation of Rs3 billion for the K-IV water supply project, clarifying that it was funded by the federal government, not the KMC.
Council member Najmi Alam pointed out that multiple environmental concerns, including clogged drains due to widespread use of plastic bags.
He proposed that each UC take responsibility for banning plastic bags and called for better rainwater harvesting initiatives to reduce dependency on groundwater extraction, which he warned could increase Karachi’s earthquake vulnerability due to worsening subsoil conditions.
He also highlighted that under the CLIP (City Local Infrastructure Program), each UC had been allocated Rs20 million for localised development, and added a lighter note by suggesting council members be given concessions at the newly developed beach resort.
Deputy Parliamentary Leader Juman Darwan took a critical tone towards the federal government, accusing it of neglecting Karachi despite lofty promises.
“The federal government promised gold to this city but delivered nothing. It is the Sindh government that continues to support us financially,” he said.
He praised the current budget for addressing key urban issues such as sewage, roads, and clean water.
Several UC Chairmen, including Nauman Ilyas, Mustafa Afridi, Sanober, and Taufiq Ahmed, also shared gave their input during the session.
Mayor Wahab, responding to opposition’s criticism, reiterated that all council members, regardless of political affiliation, deserve dignity and respect.
He said that suggestions from across the political spectrum would be considered in ongoing and upcoming projects The City Council meeting was later adjourned indefinitely following the conclusion of the budget session.
Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2025
