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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
KMC ends charged parking at 32 roads
Rates of charged parking displayed on the official board placed in the busy Saddar Bazaar are not followed by the contractors. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/Express The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) partially abolished its charged parking system, ending parking fees at 32 designated locations under its control, starting July 1. However, charged parking will continue across the city's 25 towns, six cantonments, and areas managed by different authorities. According to the KMC notification, charged parking was discontinued on various roads in KMC-administered areas, including at 20 locations in District East, seven in Korangi and Malir, three in District South, and two in Keamari. Additionally, 10 parking sites within boundary walls in District Central and District South were exempted from parking fees. This move is part of a decision announced earlier this year by Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who committed to eliminating parking fees at 45 out of 106 KMC-controlled sites, in the new fiscal year. Interestingly, despite abolishing fees from these parking areas, KMC's projected revenue from parking remains unchanged. According to the approved city budget, the target for parking revenue in the last FY was Rs105 million, with the same figure set for the upcoming FY. Meanwhile, expected income from parking at wedding halls and banquets has increased from Rs5 million to Rs10 million. Most charged parking continues to take place in the Saddar Town area, which houses the largest concentration of commercial centers. Saddar Town's Director of Charged Parking, Basheer Memon, clarified that charged parking on roads managed by towns and cantonments remains unaffected by KMC's recent decision.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
KMC Council passes Rs55b budget with majority
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Council approved a budget of Rs55.28 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26, by a majority vote, during a session chaired by Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab. Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad and Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi were also in attendance, along with other notable figures. For the first time in KMC's history, all council members were given the opportunity to participate in discussions and offer suggestions before the budget was passed. Wahab stated that the new budget will open fresh avenues for the city's development and ensure equal treatment for all union committees. He reassured that the promises made to the people of Karachi would be fulfilled, emphasising that development funds had been allocated fairly across all areas. The mayor acknowledged input from both the treasury and opposition benches, noting that useful proposals had been presented for the improvement of the city's development projects. He also expressed hope that all elected representatives would support public welfare initiatives through mutual consultation. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Leader Karamullah Waqasi appreciated the manner in which the budget was presented, allowing every member to express their views. He noted that development work was underway across 246 union committees, with 71% of the planned work completed. Further, Waqasi urged accountability in case of any corruption, and clarified that the Rs3 billion allocated for the K-IV water project had been provided by the federal government, not the city administration. Separately, Council member Najmi Alam highlighted equal spending of the CLIP fund across towns, confirming that Rs20 million had been allocated to each union committee. He also pointed out that stormwater drains were clogged with plastic bags, proposing a ban on plastic use. Deputy Parliamentary Leader Juman Darwan, stating that a budget reflects the performance of an institution, criticised the federal government for making promises to Karachi but failing in deliverance. He praised the KMC budget for addressing key urban challenges including sewerage, water supply, roads, and other critical sectors. Following approval of the budget, the city council meeting was adjourned indefinitely.
Business Recorder
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
KMC unveils surplus budget
KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab presented the budget for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the City Council. The total revenue for KMC's 2025-26 budget stands at Rs. 55,283.606 million, while total expenditures are Rs. 55,137.334 million, resulting in a surplus of Rs. 146.272 million. The KMC Budget shows revenue breakdown as current receipts Rs. 44,149.843 million, capital receipts Rs. 2,133.763 million, district ADP (Annual Development Program) funds Rs. 9,000 million and expenditure breakdown as establishment costs Rs. 31,591.494 million, contingent expenses Rs. 3,048.015 million, repair & maintenance Rs. 414.610 million, development projects/ works Rs. 3,013.200 million, development works (CLICK) Rs. 7,434.000 million and District ADP expenditure Rs. 9,000.000 million. Key allocations in the budget include pension fund, miscellaneous expenses & bailout package Rs. 13,410.000 million, medical & health services Rs.7,298.559 million, municipal services Rs.5,304.944 million, engineering department Rs. 4,375.192 million, revenue departments (Land Enforcement, Estate, Katchi Abadi, PD Orangi, Charged Parking) Rs. 2,101.327 million, parks & horticulture Rs. 1,773.377 million, cultural, sports & recreation Rs. 1,284.042 million, finance & accounts (MUCT) Rs. 602.243 million, law department Rs.254.645 million, CLICK (World Bank Funded Project) Rs.7,434.000 million, enterprise & investment promotion Rs. 135.729 million, information technology Rs. 98.507 million, project director terminals Rs. 56.225 million, and district ADP Rs. 9,000 million.
Express Tribune
24-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
KMC unveils Rs55b surplus budget
Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has unveiled the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's (KMC) budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, amounting to approximately Rs55.137 billion in expenditures. The total revenue is estimated at about Rs55.284 billion, projecting a modest surplus of Rs146.272 million. Revenue sources include over Rs44.150 billion in current receipts, Rs2.134 billion from capital receipts, and Rs9 billion under the District Annual Development Programme (ADP). Key expenses feature Rs31.591 billion for establishment costs, Rs3.048 billion for contingencies, and Rs3.013 billion allocated to development projects. Significant investments are also earmarked for World Bank-funded CLICK projects and District ADP-related works, both allocated Rs7.434 billion and Rs9 billion respectively. Major allocations in the budget include Rs13.410 billion for pensions and miscellaneous spending, Rs7.299 billion for health services, Rs5.305 billion for municipal services, and Rs4.375 billion for engineering. Various departments including land, estate, katchi abadis, and charged parking collectively receive over Rs2.101 billion, while parks and horticulture get Rs1.773 billion. Cultural and recreational activities are backed by Rs1.284 billion, and sectors such as IT, legal affairs, and investment promotion also receive support. Revenue projections anticipate Rs28.543 billion from government grants and Rs850 million in recoveries from K-Electric dues. Additional income is expected from multiple departments, with notable contributions from Municipal Utility Charges and Taxes (MUCT) and Advertisement at over Rs3.050 billion, the Land Lease Department with Rs2.549 billion, and the Finance & Accounts section generating Rs771.570 million. Development initiatives focus heavily on urban infrastructure, including Rs7.434 billion for CLICK development, Rs4.633 billion for district ADP schemes, Rs464.480 million for parks, and Rs257.990 million for municipal projects. Moreover, projects such as roadworks, stormwater drain cleaning, and hospital equipment upgrades are part of the spending plan. Special initiatives include Rs500 million in MUCT-funded projects, solarization of KMC buildings, urban forestation, shelter homes for addicts, and park developments, each ranging between Rs50 million and Rs295.2 million. The budget reflects a balanced approach to urban development, infrastructure upgrades, and essential public services while maintaining fiscal discipline.
Express Tribune
24-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
'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.
