Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has approved a new funding plan to improve basic civic services across the city. Under this plan, each of Karachi’s 246 union committees will receive an extra Rs100,000 every month. The money is meant to help local teams repair open manholes and fix streetlights without delays. In total, the initiative adds up to almost Rs300 million a year.
This decision comes soon after public anger over the tragic death of a young girl who fell into an uncovered nullah near NIPA. The incident raised serious concerns about broken manholes and poor maintenance in many neighbourhoods. The new funds are expected to give UCs more control so they can respond quickly whenever residents report dangerous spots.
While union committees will handle immediate repairs, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will continue its own maintenance work at a larger scale. The mayor said both levels of the system must work together to make the city safer and better lit.
Residents have also been encouraged to report open or damaged manholes. They can do this by calling the city’s helpline 1334 or sending an email to the official complaint address. The aim is to solve issues before they lead to accidents.
This move is considered one of the biggest local-level steps taken under the current local government structure. If carried out well, it can strengthen neighbourhood safety and help prevent future tragedies across Karachi.
