Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Saturday inaugurated a mangrove and tree plantation campaign at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park announcing that several major environmental projects were being implemented across the city to promote eco-friendly development.
Speaking to the media on the occasion, which was also attended by Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentary Leader in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation City Council Karamullah Waqasi, elected representatives and other dignitaries, the mayor said a biodiversity park had recently been announced in the Keamari area and would be inaugurated by November 2026.
He said the project would help educate school students about mangrove forests and their environmental importance. The tree-planting campaign at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park would also be expanded with more than 5,000 mangrove saplings to be planted there, he added
Wahab noted that the park’s boundary walls had been removed to provide citizens with a better view of the greenery and natural surroundings. He thanked Arif Khokhar and the forest department for their cooperation and said that joint efforts would be undertaken to promote mangroves in Karachi, Thatta and Sujawal. He also recalled that two world records related to mangrove plantations had already been achieved.
To address Karachi’s sewerage issues, the mayor announced that the Gutter Baghicha Haroonabad Sewage Treatment Plant would become operational by June 30, while a 100 MGD (million gallons per day) treatment plant would be activated by December 31, 2026.
He stated that the Mauripur Treatment Plant would treat 54 MGD of wastewater, contributing significantly to environmental improvement.
The mayor also revealed plans to transform Aladdin Park on Rashid Minhas Road into an urban forest, while 50 acres of KMC land would be utilised for plantation drives and other environmentally friendly activities. He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in illegal cutting of trees anywhere in the city.
Speaking about the K-IV water supply project, he said it had remained pending before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) since 2016 and had been inaugurated multiple times by different prime ministers. He added that Rs10 billion had been allocated for the project in the current fiscal year’s budget.
Criticising the federal government , he stressed that Karachi was the country’s economic hub and required serious attention to address its long-standing issues.
Commenting on the political situation in Gilgit-Baltistan, Wahab said the public mandate should be respected and that the party receiving the people’s vote should be allowed to form the government.
He emphasised that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) believed in principled politics and remains committed to serving the public.
Wahab appealed to the citizens to actively participate in environmental initiatives, plant trees and support the administration’s efforts to make Karachi greener for ensuring a better environment for the future generations.
