Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the city's parks, recreational areas, playgrounds, and public resources, emphasising that their protection remains a top priority for the administration.
He made these remarks while presiding over a meeting with the Department of Recreation and Safari Park, attended by Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi, Financial Advisor Gulzar Ali Abro, Senior Director Recreation Imran Rajput, and other relevant officials.
During the meeting, Wahab instructed that all contracts and tenders for recreational projects should be finalised at least three months before their expiration to ensure timely execution. He also called for the immediate addition of new animals, including zebras, to the Karachi Zoo and emphasised the importance of organising educational tours for schoolchildren, allowing them to closely observe animals and birds.
The mayor further directed the development of recreational projects on Safari Park's 132-acre land and urged fast progress on plans to establish a water park and sports complex to enhance citizens' recreational experiences.
Karachi Zoo generated PKR 3.756 million per month from entry fees, while Safari Park's annual revenue target was Rs63.9 million, of which Rs32.7 million (51 per cent) had already been achieved this fiscal year.
Wahab also highlighted ongoing development projects at Karachi Zoo and Safari Park, aimed at increasing public engagement. He noted that coordination with experts in Thailand is underway for the medical examination of the elephant at Safari Park.
In a call to action, the mayor urged young officers to work with dedication, stressing that their performance directly impacts the reputation of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). "Officers failing to fulfill their responsibilities will face strict action. Our focus is on providing better services to citizens and improving KMC's image," he emphasised.