Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi chaired a meeting to review ongoing development projects in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.

Chairman Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Dr Fuad Ahmed briefed the commissioner on development plans for the 2025-26 financial year.

The projects cover infrastructure rehabilitation, road construction and repairs, park restoration and beautification. In addition, the town is developing youth centres and facilities for educational, recreational and social activities.

The town has allocated Rs397 million for these projects. So far, Rs182 million has been spent. Officials expect the remaining projects to be completed by February 2027.

Commissioner Naqvi directed the district administration to support the town administration and remove obstacles affecting project completion.

Roads Undergo Phase-Wise Rehabilitation

Officials told the meeting that road rehabilitation is progressing in phases across Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

The first phase covers several areas, including blocks 15/16 and 19 in UC-8, Shanti Nagar, Dalmia and Block 10-A in UC-7. Work is also underway in Blocks 7 and 4 of UC-5 and Block 6 of UC-4.

Furthermore, rehabilitation is continuing in Nashtar Basti in UC-1 and Blocks 13-A, 13-B and 13-C in UC-2.

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The first phase will focus on filling road trenches and cuts and levelling damaged surfaces. Afterwards, the second phase will include carpeting of the roads.

During the past five days, workers completed around 10% of retouching and patchwork on various roads. Officials also said maintenance work was continuing on internal 40-foot roads.

Meanwhile, authorities are prioritising 60-foot and 100-foot connecting roads to reduce traffic pressure on University Road. These roads are being improved through wall-to-wall rehabilitation or patchwork.

22 Parks Restored Across Town

Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town has also accelerated work on public parks.

Officials said 22 of the town’s 38 targeted parks have already been restored. Overall, the town has 43 parks.

Several other projects are also underway. These include a sports arena near the UC-3 office and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Shanti Nagar Dispensary in UC-7.

A youth centre is also being developed alongside Bagh-e-Rizwan Family Park in Block 16. Another youth centre is planned at Imran Khan Cricket Ground in UC-4.

The town has also allocated Rs32 million during the current financial year for covering small drains and cleaning stormwater drains.

Authorities Plan Action on Traffic Problems

The meeting also reviewed traffic problems around NIPA, University Road, Time Square Bachat Bazaar and the area beneath NIPA Bridge near Sindbad.

Officials discussed congestion caused by water tankers parked at the water hydrant near Time Square Bachat Bazaar.

As a result, the town administration will work with the district administration to shift tanker parking to an alternative location. The move aims to improve traffic flow in the area.

Dr Fuad Ahmed also identified possible alternative locations for the tankers.

Commissioner Naqvi said he would soon visit the affected areas with the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town chairman and Deputy Commissioner East.

The visit will allow officials to assess traffic and public problems on the ground. They will then coordinate measures to address the issues.

Online Tax System Improves Recovery

The meeting also reviewed Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town’s tax recovery efforts.

Officials said a new online system now allows property registration fees to be deposited directly into a bank account. The system charges a 1% registration fee and has helped reduce financial leakage.

According to the briefing, monthly collections have reached around Rs15 million.

Furthermore, GIS micro-mapping of all shops has been completed under the CLICK project. The database includes shop photographs and telephone numbers.

Officials said the system will help ensure full recovery of commercial taxes.

The meeting also stressed the need to improve financial discipline. Officials were asked to reduce the gap between estimated and actual expenditure in the town’s financial accounts.

Commissioner Orders Continued Coordination

Commissioner Hassan Naqvi directed Deputy Commissioner East to maintain close coordination with the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town administration.

The coordination will focus on development projects, municipal services and the resolution of public complaints.

Officials also agreed to provide district administration support for removing encroachments, improving infrastructure and completing beautification projects.

The meeting was attended by Karachi Commissioner’s Director of Development Naseem Bhutto, Additional Deputy Commissioner East, officials from Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and representatives of other relevant departments.