KARACHI – In a significant step toward reclaiming the city’s green spaces, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab inaugurated five newly renovated parks in Azizabad, District Central, on Friday. The restoration project, completed in collaboration with the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), incurred a total cost of over Rs. 687.6 million. The inaugurated sites include the iconic Lal Qila Park, Chota Park, Moor Park, and Aziz Municipal Park, covering a combined area of approximately 4.75 acres. During the ceremony, the Mayor noted that these spaces, which were previously neglected and in a state of decay, have now been fully restored and opened to the public.
Mayor Wahab emphasized that restoring public parks is a cornerstone of his vision to make Karachi a green and livable city, providing a healthy recreational environment for its citizens. He criticized the culture of “blame games,” stating that while making accusations is easy, the real need of the hour is delivering tangible results through performance. Addressing recent controversies regarding Gul Plaza, the Mayor revealed that the land was originally KMC property leased to a tram company in 1884 but had seen various unauthorized sales over decades without lease renewals since 1991. He confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway regarding the silence of the Building Control Authority and the inadequacy of fire safety measures during that period.
The Mayor concluded by highlighting that Karachi is the only city in Pakistan where every political party has a stake, urging all sides to move forward with a positive mindset. He pointed out that since institutions like the Steel Mills, PIA, and Railways remain under federal oversight despite their current state, the focus should remain on collective efforts for the city’s betterment rather than political point-scoring.
