Karachi, Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, addressed ongoing issues regarding the management of beach huts on Hawke’s Bay, emphasizing the city’s need for fair rental practices and proper utilization of public properties. This statement came during discussions with the Beach House Owners Association, where the mayor highlighted significant disparities in rental income versus the commercial rates charged by hut tenants.
According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Mayor Wahab expressed concern over the annual rent of approximately 16 thousand rupees received by the municipality for each hut, contrasting sharply with the daily rental charges of 3 to 4 lakh rupees imposed by tenants on beachgoers. The situation has led to legal challenges; following a city council resolution on April 21, 2021, to increase hut rents, several tenants sought legal recourse, obtaining stay orders against the rent hikes.
The mayor pointed out that 72 of the 267 huts are currently embroiled in rent-related court cases. He urged tenants to either settle their disputes through negotiation or face possible eviction to make way for more cooperative tenants. Despite these challenges, Mayor Wahab reiterated his commitment to resolving these issues amicably, suggesting that the city could offer rent discounts for lump-sum payments made until June 2024.
Furthermore, the Beach House Owners Association proposed a partnership to enhance the attractiveness and functionality of the beach area, an initiative the mayor welcomed, advocating for a public-private partnership model to optimize the management and profitability of beach facilities.