In an effort to streamline public service delivery and improve infrastructure in Karachi, the Sindh government is set to launch a new online portal aimed at addressing the city’s civic problems. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has taken significant steps to enhance the city’s infrastructure, with a focus on solving issues related to road maintenance, sanitation, encroachments, and drainage. This initiative comes as part of a broader plan to prepare the city for the upcoming Eid festivities, ensuring smooth operations in key commercial areas and improving the overall living conditions for Karachi’s residents.
During a high-level meeting held at the Chief Minister’s House, which was attended by key officials, including Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, and other senior bureaucrats, a detailed discussion took place on the city’s numerous pressing issues. Key concerns included the frequent problem of road cutting, illegal encroachments, inefficient drainage systems, poor sanitation, and traffic congestion, all of which contribute to Karachi’s infrastructure challenges.
The chief minister expressed particular concern about the recurring issue of road cutting in three major districts of Karachi. He highlighted that many newly constructed roads had been dug up, causing severe disruption to traffic flow and public convenience. According to CM Shah, local town administrations had been granting approvals for these road excavations independently, leading to a lack of coordination and oversight. To address this, the Sindh government has decided to centralize road cutting permissions, requiring approval solely from the Karachi Mayor and the city commissioner. This move is designed to ensure a more structured approach to infrastructure work and prevent unnecessary disruptions in the future. CM Shah emphasized that no local municipal officer or town officer would be authorized to approve road cutting without oversight from these central authorities.
Additionally, CM Shah directed the Local Government Department to formalize this rule by issuing an executive order. This decision is expected to curb the rampant and uncoordinated roadworks that have plagued the city, especially in the lead-up to major events like Eid.
Alongside the road cutting issue, other pressing civic concerns were also addressed. CM Shah pointed out the city’s deteriorating drainage systems, overflowing sewers, and the accumulation of garbage and debris on major roads. These issues not only disrupt traffic but also damage Karachi’s reputation as a major urban center. In response, the chief minister announced the creation of a new “Karachi Issues Portal,” which will serve as a centralized platform for reporting and resolving the city’s problems.
The portal will be used by assistant and deputy commissioners to submit regular reports on drainage issues, encroachments, sanitation, and other civic concerns. As part of this initiative, assistant commissioners will be required to conduct field inspections and ensure that drainage systems are cleaned, illegal parking is addressed, and sanitation issues are promptly resolved.
With Eid approaching, CM Shah also highlighted the need for increased security and better public convenience for the thousands of citizens who will be visiting Karachi’s markets for shopping. He directed the Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah to enhance police patrols in key commercial areas and implement measures to improve the overall shopping experience. In addition to security, he instructed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and traffic police to focus on improving street lighting, traffic management, and security in commercial zones to ensure that both residents and visitors can enjoy a safe and seamless experience during the festive season.
This new initiative is expected to modernize the way Karachi’s civic issues are addressed, bringing greater accountability and efficiency to public service delivery. With the launch of the Karachi Issues Portal, the Sindh government aims to create a more connected and responsive system for tackling urban challenges, making the city more livable for its residents.