KARACHI – July 1, 2025: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has formally written to Sindh’s Local Government Minister, Saeed Ghani, expressing strong concern over the deteriorating condition of roads across the city, blaming town administrations for negligence and delay in rehabilitation work.

In a strongly-worded letter, Wahab highlighted how various utility providers had dug up major thoroughfares and internal streets across Karachi, for which road-cutting fees were collected by the respective Town Municipal Corporations (TMCs). However, despite receiving substantial amounts under “Road Cutting Charges,” most of the roads remain unrepaired, worsening public inconvenience and damaging the city’s already fragile infrastructure.

“The situation has only been aggravated by the recent monsoon rains,” the mayor noted. “Stretches of roads that were already dug up have now turned into dangerous pits, adding to traffic chaos and risking citizen safety.”

He further alleged that towns have overstepped their authority by charging road-cutting fees in areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), without taking responsibility for subsequent repairs.

Wahab recalled that he had earlier raised this issue with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, even recommending that road-cutting funds be strictly allocated for repair work. “Unfortunately, no visible progress has been made so far,” the letter states.

Calling for urgent intervention, the mayor urged Minister Ghani to issue clear directives to all municipal commissioners and relevant town administrations to speed up pending road repairs and ensure transparency in the use of collected funds.

“These funds must be used solely for the purpose they were collected for,” Wahab emphasized. “The people of Karachi deserve functional roads and timely civic upkeep — not broken promises and bureaucratic delays.”

As road conditions across Karachi continue to deteriorate, the mayor’s letter signals growing frustration within city leadership over inaction at the local level, and increasing pressure on the provincial government to act swiftly.