The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has announced a Rs. 750 million solarization initiative for FY 2026-27 to improve energy efficiency and promote sustainable urban development across the city.
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said the project will cover union committees (UCs), streets, municipal buildings and selected public roads.
The initiative is aimed at reducing KMC’s reliance on conventional electricity, lowering operational costs and ensuring uninterrupted civic services, particularly in areas affected by frequent power outages.
Wahab said the solarization program is part of KMC’s broader plan to modernize civic infrastructure and adopt environmentally responsible solutions.
“Climate resilience and energy sustainability are no longer optional; they are essential components of responsible urban management,” he said.
The mayor said KMC had started moving toward renewable energy more than two years ago through its street-lighting program. Under the initiative, around 50 streetlights were provided to every UC without any political consideration.
He added that more than Rs. 110 million has been spent during the current FY on the installation and improvement of street-lighting infrastructure across Karachi.
According to Wahab, major roads including Sharea Faisal, Shahrah-e-Firdousi and Shahrah-e-Iran have also seen significant improvements in lighting and urban infrastructure, helping improve public convenience and the city’s appearance.
KMC has already solarized sections of its head office, which has helped reduce electricity expenses and environmental impact. Following these results, the corporation now plans to expand solarization to more KMC offices, UC facilities and public infrastructure.
The project is expected to benefit remote and electricity-dependent localities where load shedding continues to disrupt daily life.
Mayor Wahab said the current KMC administration has focused on implementation rather than limiting development schemes to announcements and paperwork.
“The people of Karachi can judge us by our performance,” he said, adding that KMC has translated its commitments into visible results in infrastructure development, road rehabilitation, parks, street lighting, digital governance, revenue reforms and municipal services.
He added that KMC has improved service standards, transparency, development work and public confidence despite operating with largely the same resources inherited from previous administrations.
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