KARACHI, Mayor of Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, announced the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) intention to collaborate with the World Bank on developmental projects for the city. He emphasized the corporation’s readiness to offer legal protection for the World Bank’s investments through the City Council’s approval. To address the city’s clean water scarcity, Mayor Wahab advocated for the installation of R.O plants in every city ward.
According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, these comments were made during Mayor Wahab’s discussion with a three-member delegation from the World Bank. KMC Council Parliamentary Leader Najmi Alam was also in attendance. Abedalrazq Khalil, the Practice Manager for World Bank Urban and Land for South Asia, led the delegation. Mr. Khalil expressed the World Bank’s interest in investing in Karachi’s developmental projects after being briefed on them.
During the meeting, Mayor Wahab provided insights into the local governmental structure, explaining that Karachi is divided into 46 towns and a thousand wards. Each U.C chairman represents their respective areas in the KMC council. He emphasized that these chairmen and councilors maintain close contact with the citizens, addressing their daily challenges. He also drew attention to the varying revenue streams of different Karachi towns, using the income difference between Saddar Town and Lyari Town as an example.
Highlighting the KMC’s responsibilities, Mayor Wahab mentioned the provision of essential infrastructure and other city amenities. He underlined the ongoing efforts to ensure all civic entities work cohesively towards addressing local government issues. The World Bank delegation underscored the importance of modernizing these efforts.
The discussion also touched upon the requirements of Karachi in comparison to other major global coastal cities. Mayor Wahab concluded by expressing gratitude for the potential cooperation of international organizations, including the World Bank. He stressed the importance of planning for the future, taking into account past outcomes, and ensuring that Karachi’s residents have access to amenities on par with other global metropolises.