Meat market gets a facelift

It seems that the Centre has beef with Karachi, for literally chopping its development funds on the block. Mayor Murtaza Wahab, addressing the inaugural of the renovated meat market at the city's iconic Empress Market, minced no words in criticizing the rulers in the federal capital lack of funding for the economic hub of the country considered a cash cow by all.

"The meat market has been provided a clean and hygienic environment," Wahab announced, standing before rows of freshly refurbished stalls now gleaming under new lighting. On the occasion, Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, Municipal Commissioner Syed Afzal Zaidi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Dil Muhammad, and other notable figures were also present.

The mayor noted that the market, once dead meat in terms of infrastructure, now boasts 29 modern stalls, promising improved livelihoods for those in the meat and potatoes of daily commerce. A new parking facility catering to 400 cars and 150 motorcycles, he said, would finally carve out space in the historically congested area.

The mayor stated that after renovating the vacant part of Empress Market, the remaining section will also be restored and beautified, including the iconic clock, which will be fixed.

Further, Wahab stated that when the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) took control of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) two years ago, it decided not to complain about lack of authority and used whatever resources it had for the city's improvement, and to resolve the citizens' problems. He noted that Frere Hall, Khaliq Dina Hall, and Denso Hall have been restored and reopened to the public, and that six more KMC markets will be renovated this year.

Meanwhile, Wahab stated that Rs40 billion had been requested from the federal government for the K-IV water supply project. However, he asserted that only Rs3.5 billion have been allocated in the budget for it. Further, the mayor said that Rs100 billion had been demanded from the federal government for Karachi, but not a single rupee has been given to KMC, although the city contributes significantly to the country's revenue.