Karachi:
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Council approved a budget of RS55.28 billion for the financial year 2025-26 by majority, under a session chairman of Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab. Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad and municipal commissioner AFZAL ZAIDI were also present with other remarkable figures. For the first time in KMC’s history, all council members were given the opportunity to participate in discussions and offer proposals before the budget was adopted.
Wahab stated that the new budget opens fresh roads to the city’s development and ensures equal treatment for all union committees. He assured himself that the promises given to the people of Karachi would be fulfilled, and emphasized that development funds had been allocated fairly across all areas. The mayor recognized input from both the Treasury and the opposition benches and noted that useful proposals had been presented with improving 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 valued the way the budget was presented, which allowed each member to express their views. He noted that the development work was underway during the 246 union committee, where 71% of the planned work was completed. Furthermore, Waqasi called for accountability in the event of corruption and clarified that the RS3 billion assigned to the K-IV water project had been provided by the federal government, not the city administration.
Separately highlighted Councilor Najmi Alam equal expenses to the Klipfonden across cities, confirming that RS20 million had been awarded to each union committee. He also pointed out that storm water drains were clogged with plastic bags and suggested a ban on plastic use.
Deputy parliamentary leader Juman Darwan, who states that a budget reflects an institution’s performance, criticized the federal government for promoting raises to Karachi, but failed in liberation. He praised the KMC budget for tackling the most important urban challenges, including sewerage, water supply, roads and other critical sectors.
After approval of the budget, the City Council meeting was postponed indefinitely.
