Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed authorities to establish a citizen issue reporting portal for Karachi while tightening controls on road cutting approvals.
The measures aim to improve the city's infrastructure and public services, particularly ahead of Eid. During a high-level meeting at the CM House, attended by Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, and other senior officials, discussions focused on drainage issues, illegal encroachments, road maintenance, sanitation, security, and traffic management.
The chief minister expressed concern over road cutting in three districts, noting that many recently constructed roads had been dug up, causing inconvenience to residents.
He was informed that local town administrations had been granting permissions independently. In response, he ordered that future road cutting approvals be centralised, requiring consent from only the Karachi mayor and commissioner.
“No KMC or town officer should have the authority to approve road cutting without oversight,” he instructed, directing the Local Government Department to issue an executive order to formalise this rule.
CM Shah also raised concerns over everyday civic problems such as overflowing sewers, garbage accumulation, and debris on major roads, which he said not only disrupt traffic but also damage the city's reputation.
To address this, he announced the creation of a “Karachi Issues Portal” at CM House. Assistant and deputy commissioners will be required to upload reports on drainage, encroachments, and sanitation issues through the portal for better monitoring and resolution.
“Assistant commissioners must conduct field inspections and ensure that drainage, cleanliness, and illegal parking issues are addressed,” he said.
With Eid approaching, the chief minister stressed the need for enhanced security and public convenience as citizens flock to markets for shopping.
He directed Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah to increase police patrols and implement measures to facilitate shoppers. Additionally, he instructed the KMC and traffic police to improve street lighting, traffic management, and security in key commercial areas.
CM Shah tasked Mayor Karachi with launching a beautification drive, ordering that four major markets and surrounding areas be renovated by the year’s end.
“Next year, we will work on more markets and public spaces to make Karachi more attractive for both citizens and tourists,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the ongoing Lyari water pipeline project was reviewed, with the chief minister instructing the local government department to expedite completion and keep him updated.
CM Shah issued clear post-Eid anti-encroachment directives, instructing authorities to remove soft encroachments from public spaces to improve accessibility.
“We must ensure that public areas remain open and accessible to everyone,” he emphasised.
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