KMC honours city warden and fire brigade martyrs

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) organised a ceremony on Sunday to honour citizens who contributed to Karachi’s development.

Such citizens were awarded the Tamgha-e-Karachi at the event. Speaking at the ceremony, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said the individuals who had rendered services for the city were an asset of society.

He said the martyrs from the city wardens and fire brigade personnel who sacrificed their lives to protect the lives and property of others were our pride. He added that the Tamgha-e-Karachi was a symbol of gratitude to their services.

The event was attended by Karachi Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Jumman Darwan, Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi, elected representatives, and departmental heads and officers of KMC. The mayor said the heroes of today’s ceremony were not the organisers but those who made sacrifices. He added that seeing tears in the eyes of the martyrs’ families at the ceremony brought tears to his eyes as well.

He remarked that the decision to honour the personalities and martyrs who served Karachi was made by members of the KMC City Council. Wahab said it was the first event organised by the KMC to commemorate such people. He added that the award ceremony would be held annually on January 5 to acknowledge the contributions of those who had played a role in making Karachi a great city.

He said there was no greater service than sacrificing one’s life. The mayor said cultural and heritage activities in Karachi would also be promoted alongside improving the city's infrastructure and development projects. In addition to fulfilling municipal duties, historical buildings and sites in Karachi would be restored, he maintained.

He emphasised that Karachi belonged to all of us, and its citizens would continue to serve it. He added that development projects were under way in all seven districts of Karachi, and 2025 would be a milestone year for Karachi’s development.

The KMC had the necessary funds for all development projects, the mayor remarked. “Unlike in the past, we will not complain about lack of powers or funds. Instead, we will fulfil the promises made to the people, and the Pakistan Peoples Party will not disappoint the citizens who elected us,” he said.