Karachi unveils development-focused budget for 2026–27

Karachi unveils development-focused budget for 2026–27

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab presented the city’s balanced budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year, highlighting infrastructure development, employee welfare, healthcare, and environmental initiatives as key priorities.

Speaking during the City Council budget session, Wahab said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would continue repairing and constructing roads, bridges, and flyovers across all districts. He added that the city would also fund development projects in areas outside KMC’s direct jurisdiction to improve public services.

The mayor announced that KMC has provided health insurance to around 11,500 employees and proposed introducing a pension card for retired staff. He also credited Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s vision for placing Karachi’s development among the party’s top priorities.

Reviewing the civic administration’s achievements, Wahab said KMC completed more than 3.19 million square feet of road patchwork, installed over 12.33 million square feet of paving blocks, and rebuilt nearly 99,450 square feet of footpaths. Major projects, including the Nursery Flyover, Jinnah Bridge, and Shahrah-e-Millat Road, have been restored, while the Azeempura Flyover was completed in just 93 days. The city also renovated Stone Circle and restored heritage sites such as Empress Market and Denso Hall.

The mayor said KMC continues to upgrade parks, sports facilities, and urban forests. Authorities restored nearly 4.75 acres of parks, reopened the Landhi Sports Complex after 30 years, and laid the foundation for a new sports complex in District West. Officials also plan to plant 100,000 trees along Shahrah-e-Bhutto, with about 10,000 already planted, while work continues on planting 5,000 mangroves at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park.

Wahab announced plans to digitize KMC’s assets through GIS mapping and digital archiving. The civic body installed a 150-kilowatt solar power system at its headquarters, purchased new heavy vehicles and 20 electric bikes using funds generated from auctioning old vehicles, and approved Rs110 million for official transport.

The mayor said KMC has paid employee salaries on time every month for the first time in 25 years. He added that the administration has prioritized clearing pension and retirement dues and will continue efforts to settle outstanding payments in the new fiscal year. He also confirmed that Abbasi Shaheed Hospital has cleared pending payments to postgraduate doctors and house officers and will implement any future government-approved salary increases.

According to Wahab, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, KIHD, and Spencer Eye Hospital have received upgraded medical facilities. KMC has also restored the Mewa Shah Incineration Plant to safely dispose of medical and industrial waste.

The mayor noted that Karachi has become Pakistan’s first city to issue municipal bonds. He also announced the abolition of parking fees at 32 KMC-managed parking sites and said improvement work continues at Karachi Zoo, Safari Park, and other recreational facilities.

The City Council session concluded with prayers for Rangers personnel who lost their lives in a recent attack on a Rangers camp.