Karachi:
The Council of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) approved a budget of 55.28 billion rupees for the financial year 2025-26, by a majority vote, during a session chaired by the mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab. The deputy mayor Salman Abdullah Murad and the municipal commissioner Afzal Zaidi were also present, as well as other notable figures. For the first time in the history of KMC, all the members of the council had the opportunity to participate in discussions and to offer suggestions before the reduction of the budget.
Wahab said the new budget would open new avenues for the development of the city and ensure treatment equal to all union committees. He reassured that the promises made to the inhabitants of Karachi would be held, stressing that the development funds had been allocated fairly in all areas. The mayor recognized the contribution of the Treasury and the 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 will support the initiatives of public well-being thanks to a mutual consultation.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary chief Karamullah Waqasi appreciated the way in which the budget was presented, allowing each member to express his point of view. He noted that development work was underway in 246 union committees, with 71% of the work provided completed. In addition, Waqasi urged responsibility in the event of corruption and said that the billions of rupees allocated to the Water K-IV project had been provided by the federal government, not by the city administration.
In addition, the member of the Council, Najmi Alam, underlined the equal expenses of the Clip Fund in the cities, confirming that 20 million rupees had been allocated to each union committee. He also pointed out that rainwater drains were obstructed with plastic bags, offering a ban on plastic use.
Deputy parliamentary chief Juman Darwan, declaring that a budget reflects the performance of an institution, criticized the federal government for making promises to Karachi but failing in issuance. He praised the KMC budget to meet the main urban challenges, including sewers, water supply, roads and other critical sectors.
After the budget approval, the city council meeting was indefinitely adjourned.
