In a step towards financial and administrative reforms, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) on Tuesday decided to fully digitise its pension and development payment systems, and channelise all payments through secure electronic platforms to ensure transparency, efficiency and accountability.
The decision was taken during a meeting between Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab and a delegation of the Financial Accounting & Budgeting System, a directorate working under the Pakistan controller general of accounts. The delegation briefed the mayor on comprehensive reform initiatives aimed at modernising municipal payment services and strengthening financial governance within the KMC.
During the detailed briefing, the delegation outlined measures to enhance transparency, reduce manual interventions and improve the overall efficiency of financial operations. Emphasis was placed on adopting digital payment mechanisms, strengthening internal controls and integrating modern financial management tools to bring the KMC in line with contemporary public sector standards.
Wahab ordered that a complete digital payment system be implemented across the KMC, including pension disbursements and development payments. He also instructed that the system be linked with Nadra to ensure rapid verification, enhanced transparency and improved service delivery.
He noted that following the successful implementation of the SAP system for salary payments, the KMC is now prepared to expand digitisation to all remaining financial transactions.
“I want to see every payment in the KMC fully digitised,” he said, adding that fines, challans, rents and all other municipal fees should also be routed through electronic payment channels. He stressed that payment slip IDs should be generated to facilitate easy payments while ensuring a fully traceable and transparent system.
The delegation also briefed the mayor on potential initiatives to introduce projects under public-private partnerships, as well as opportunities for investment in waste-to-energy projects to generate additional financial resources and promote sustainable urban development.
The mayor emphasised his vision of making the KMC financially and administratively more independent, saying that strong financial reforms are essential for improving municipal services and strengthening local governance. He directed the relevant departments to prepare and implement a comprehensive reform plan on an urgent basis.
Following the implementation of these reforms, the KMC is expected to become the first municipal council in the country to operate on a fully cashless and digitally-driven payment system, setting a benchmark for other local governments.
The meeting was also attended by KMC Financial Adviser Gulzar Abro, Coordination Senior Director to the Mayor Akhlaq Ahmed Yousafzai, Media Director Daniyal Siyal and other senior officers.
