Karachi: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab praised the business community for its contributions to the city and announced that Rs. 2.1 billion is being spent on the Korangi Industrial Area (KIA) to address pressing infrastructure challenges.

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), the mayor emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and industrialists to drive development in Karachi.

KATI President Junaid Naqi, Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya, Standing Committee Chairman Masood Naqi, Senior Vice President Ijaz Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Syed Tariq Hussain, former Chairman and Presidents SM Yahya, Johar Qandhari, Sheikh Umer Rehan, Danish Khan, Member Sindh Council Sahibzada Moazzam Qureshi and KATI members were present at the ceremony.

Wahab noted that several city areas receive uninterrupted water supply, but bill payments remain inconsistent, adding to the financial burden on utility services.

Highlighting efforts to improve water management, he shared that the Sindh government has launched a pilot project to treat and recycle 500 million gallons of sewage water. He also called for discussions with industrialists to resolve the infrastructure cess issue.

During his address, Wahab detailed ongoing development projects, including the upcoming inauguration of the first phase of the Malir Expressway and the launch of the Yellow Line Bus Transit project for Korangi and Landhi.

He pledged that the Baloch Colony Expressway would be completed within three months and reiterated the urgency of resolving issues in Mehran Town. Wahab further revealed that the Jam Sadiq Bridge, currently being expanded to eight lanes, is slated for completion by December 2025.

In response to criticism over the local government tax on electricity bills, Wahab defended the move, citing its success in generating Rs. 228 million within a month.

He assured that this revenue is being reinvested in Karachi’s welfare and infrastructure. Pointing to disparities in federal allocations, he questioned why Karachi-responsible for a significant portion of the country’s revenue-receives insufficient development funds compared to smaller regions like Narowal.

KATI President Junaid Naqi underscored the historical and economic significance of Karachi’s industrial sector, tracing its roots back to the city’s role as Pakistan’s textile hub. Despite contributing Rs. 1,882 billion in taxes this year, he lamented that only Rs. 20 billion, or 4.3%, was allocated to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).

Naqi highlighted the challenges faced by local industries, including infrastructure decay, sewage issues, and water scarcity exacerbated by reliance on the tanker mafia.

Standing Committee Chairman Masood Naqi emphasized that Korangi Industrial Area is a major contributor to local tax revenue but continues to face unresolved issues. He called for immediate road repairs, a crackdown on encroachment, and a long-term solution to water supply challenges.

Stressing the significance of cottage industries in Mehran Town, he urged authorities to prioritize their needs.

Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya expressed concern over Karachi’s worsening air pollution, noting that the city ranks second in the country.

He reiterated KATI’s willingness to collaborate with the local government to improve the environment and called for better coordination between institutions to address sewage-related conflicts.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 06 2024

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