Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has instructed authorities to launch a citizen issue reporting portal for Karachi while tightening regulations on road cutting approvals.
The initiative aims to enhance the city’s infrastructure and public services, especially in preparation for Eid. During a high-level meeting at the CM House, attended by Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, and other senior officials, discussions focused on drainage issues, illegal encroachments, road maintenance, sanitation, security, and traffic management.
Expressing concern over frequent road cutting in three districts, CM Shah noted that many newly constructed roads had been excavated, causing inconvenience to residents. Officials informed him that local town administrations had been granting approvals independently. In response, he ordered that all future road cutting permissions be centralized, requiring approval solely from the Karachi mayor and commissioner.
“No KMC or town officer should have the authority to approve road cutting without oversight,” he instructed, directing the Local Government Department to issue an executive order formalizing this rule.
The chief minister also addressed pressing civic issues such as overflowing sewers, garbage accumulation, and debris on major roads, stating that these not only disrupt traffic but also tarnish the city’s image.
To streamline monitoring and resolution, he announced the establishment of a “Karachi Issues Portal” at CM House. Assistant and deputy commissioners will be required to submit reports on drainage, encroachments, and sanitation issues through the portal.
“Assistant commissioners must conduct field inspections and ensure timely resolution of drainage, cleanliness, and illegal parking issues,” he emphasized.
With Eid approaching, CM Shah underscored the need for heightened security and public convenience as citizens visit markets for shopping. He directed Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah to increase police patrols and implement measures to facilitate shoppers. Additionally, he instructed the KMC and traffic police to enhance street lighting, traffic flow, and security in key commercial areas.
To improve the city’s aesthetics, CM Shah tasked Mayor Karachi with launching a beautification drive, mandating that four major markets and surrounding areas be renovated by year-end.
“Next year, we will expand this effort to more markets and public spaces, making Karachi more appealing for both residents and tourists,” he stated.
During the meeting, the progress of the Lyari water pipeline project was also reviewed, with CM Shah directing the local government department to expedite its completion and keep him informed.
Additionally, post-Eid anti-encroachment measures were outlined, with clear directives to remove soft encroachments from public spaces to improve accessibility.
“We must ensure that public areas remain open and accessible to everyone,” he stressed.