Karachi City Council approves funds for streetlights in 246 UCs

KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation City Council on Saturday approved all 12 resolutions on its agenda in what was described as a calm and orderly session, in contrast to the previous meeting that had been marred by clashes between rival members.

The meeting, chaired by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, cleared Rs116.424 million for the installation of 50 LED streetlights in each of Karachi’s 246 union committees. According to the resolution, the allocation is intended to improve visibility and public safety across the city.

The council also approved Rs199.9 million for the improvement, rehabilitation and development of imambargahs and Muharram procession routes in different districts to facilitate religious gatherings.

Members granted post-facto approval for several emergency works that had already been carried out. These included Rs149.99 million for urgent reconstruction, repair and carpeting of the road leading to the PAF Airmen Academy at Korangi Creek, and Rs59.80 million for the improvement and renovation of Empress Market in Saddar.

In addition, the house approved Rs43.89 million through two separate resolutions for measures taken after the Gul Plaza tragedy and for subsequent debris removal operations.

Other resolutions passed

Among other decisions, the council approved the issuance of a no-objection certificate for the establishment of a Government Degree College in Lyari, District South, aimed at expanding access to higher education.

The house also approved naming the KDA North Nazimabad Flyover after Dr Pervez Mahmood Shaheed in recognition of his services.

In another move, the council amended an earlier resolution concerning the Karachi Museum project at Beach View, deciding to award it to M/s Heritage Cultural Preservation Foundation instead of The Citizens Archive of Pakistan.

Tribute resolution on Shahrah-i-Bhutto

The council unanimously adopted a resolution paying tribute to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari over the completion of Shahrah-i-Bhutto Phase-I in what members described as record time. The 39-kilometre, six-lane expressway links Shahrah-i-Bhutto directly with the M-9 Motorway and was completed at a cost of Rs55 billion.

Speaking in the house, PPP Parliamentary Leader Karamullah Waqasi said the party had continued to pursue the project despite political obstacles.

He said the effort reflected the public service vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. Mr Waqasi also thanked Opposition Leader Advocate Saifuddin for his earlier call to maintain decorum, saying such an atmosphere made meaningful discussion on public matters possible.

According to the proceedings, Mr Waqasi said Shahrah-i-Bhutto was not merely a road but a lifeline for Karachi’s economy, and added that work on multiple signal-free corridors was already under way. He also said political differences were natural, but members should avoid personal attacks and character assassination.

Opposition Leader Saifuddin welcomed the completion of Shahrah-i-Bhutto and termed it a positive development for Karachi. He proposed forming a supervisory committee comprising members from all sides to monitor ongoing and future development schemes for transparency and quality control. He also said the KMC council was the country’s largest local government body and that preserving its sanctity was a shared responsibility of all elected representatives.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf member Asad Aman also addressed the house and paid tribute to Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for completing the long-pending project.

Condolence resolution and adjournment

At the start of the sitting, the council unanimously passed a condolence resolution for former UC Chairman Izhar-ul-Haq Hassanzai, former council member Ashraf Awan, and the young son and nephew of UC-7 Mominabad Chairman Idrees Shamsi, who were killed in a recent firing incident.

Later, the deputy mayor adjourned the session for an indefinite period.