'People's expectations fulfilled'
City Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Tuesday presented the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the City Council. Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad and Municipal Commissioner S.M. Afzal Zaidi were also present.
During his budget speech, the mayor stated that the decisions made over the past two years for the improvement, development, infrastructure restoration, and removal of encroachment in Karachi - along with the renovation of the city's historical buildings - are now producing visible results. He emphasised that difficult decisions were made to serve people in better ways. Parliamentary leaders, opposition leaders, and council members also offered suggestions and shared their views on the budget.
The 2025-26 budget includes development projects selected in consultation with honorable council members, reflecting the commitment to work for the broader and long-term interests of the city. He said, every effort has been made to fulfill the expectations people.
Presenting the highlights of the budget the mayor said that KMC employee salaries have been shifted to the World Bank's SAP system. Retired employees' pensions will also be integrated into SAP next, ensuring timely payments and tamper-proof records.
He said, Municipal Utility Charges & Taxes (MUCT) collection through K-Electric bills has resumed, with Rs1.7 billion collected so far this year. Next year, up to Rs3.5 billion is expected to be collected, which will aid infrastructure improvement and KMC's financial self-sufficiency.
Development without discrimination was carried out in all seven districts, including, A 1.5 km road connecting Lyari to the port and shipyard (Rs56 million), overlay and patchwork on both tracks of Hub River Road (180,000 ft), repairs and carpeting of Malir River Bridge and adjacent road from Anwar Baloch Hotel to Murghi Khana Bus Stop. Construction of a 1.4km overhead bridge on Korangi Causeway.
He said Long-pending dues of retired and deceased KMC and DMC employees were addressed. KMC, through its own resources, paid Rs600 million and cleared all dues up to June 2018. Through investment, Rs576 million was earned and a total of Rs1.3 billion was disbursed.
He said KMC is the first municipal body in Pakistan to begin converting its buildings to solar energy. Rs220.2 million has been allocated for this in the upcoming fiscal year, with plans to solarise markets, parks, and streetlights.
He said renovation of Denso Hall, Khaliq Dina Hall, KMC Building, and Frere Hall has been completed. Next year, six more historical structures - including Empress Market, Muhammad Ali Hothi Market, Machhi Miani Market, and Lea Market - will be restored to their original form.
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