Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday distributed pension arrears cheques worth Rs310 million among retired employees of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and announced the launch of the KMC Pension Card initiative to facilitate pension disbursements.
The cheque distribution ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, Municipal Commissioner KMC Abrar Jaffer, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Jaman Darwan, Peoples Labour Bureau Karachi Division President Aslam Samoo, and other officials.
Addressing the ceremony, Wahab said resolving the long-standing issues faced by retired KMC employees had been a priority of the present city administration. He said that due to the flawed policies of previous governments, retired employees had been deprived of their legitimate rights, but the current elected leadership had taken practical steps to address the issue. He said that when the present administration assumed office three years ago, the KMC was facing pension liabilities of approximately Rs11 billion. Through prudent financial planning and effective utilisation of available resources, pension arrears of employees who retired between 2013 and 2019 were being cleared in phases, with Rs310 million being disbursed in the latest instalment.
The mayor said around Rs6.2 billion in pension arrears still remained to be paid, adding that efforts to clear the remaining liabilities were progressing rapidly. He further said the KMC then ensured that all retired employees received their monthly pensions on the first day of every month and that there were currently no outstanding liabilities relating to regular pension payments.
Wahab credited the City Council, Deputy Mayor, parliamentary leadership, Peoples Labour Bureau, and KMC officers and employees for achieving the milestone. He also announced that a long-standing financial dispute with K-Electric had been resolved, under which approximately Rs1.4 billion would be transferred to the KMC’s account during the current month.
He said the funds would be utilised for the welfare of employees and the citizens of Karachi. The mayor said the implementation of the SAP system had significantly improved transparency by eliminating fake recruitments and financial irregularities. He said several cases of dual employment in the KMC, Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and other institutions had been identified.
He further revealed that around 1,200 individuals had been receiving fake pensions worth Rs57 million without authorisation. He said all future payments would be made through a fully digital system to ensure transparency and accountability.
Announcing the launch of the KMC Pension Card initiative, Barrister Wahab said retired employees would soon be issued computerised pension cards to make the pension disbursement process more convenient and transparent. Highlighting the city’s development initiatives, he said the present city administration had completed several major infrastructure projects, including Shahrah-e-Bhutto, the Korangi Causeway Bridge, Senator Taj Haider Bridge, the Karimabad Underpass, the Bhains Colony-Ibrahim Hyderi Flyover and the Azeempura Flyover.
He also announced that two additional flyovers would soon be constructed at the My Kolachi Road railway crossing and near Disco Bakery in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. In addition, he said Rs200 million had been allocated for development and beautification works around mosques ahead of Rabi-ul-Awwal. Barrister Wahab said he preferred to address the media during the inauguration or completion of development projects because his politics was centred on public service.
He added that these achievements were the result of the collective efforts of the Pakistan Peoples Party and the City Council rather than any single individual. Referring to the opposition, he said every political party had the right to protest but should adopt a constructive approach instead of engaging in protest politics. He added that while some elements attempted to claim credit for every achievement, the KMC had consistently fulfilled its responsibilities and would continue serving the people of Karachi with the same commitment in the future.
