Mayor inaugurates memorial to honour martyrs of fire brigade

The brave firefighters of Karachi are the pride of the nation who save lives and ignite hope through their courage and sacrifice.

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab stated this on Monday as he spoke to the media after inaugurating the Yaadgar-e-Shuhada (Martyrs’ Memorial) at the Fire Brigade Headquarters. “We are proud of our ever-ready firefighters. Their spirit and bravery are a beacon for all humanity,” he said.

The mayor offered prayers for the martyred firefighters and distributed shields among their families in recognition of their sacrifices. Karachi Metropolitan Corporation City Council member Dil Muhammad, union committee chairpersons, business community leader Atique Mir and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Wahab said, “We stand in solidarity with our firefighters—young men who serve with courage and resilience, often putting their lives at risk to save others. These silent heroes are our true protectors, especially in the most challenging circumstances.”

He added that the nation would always remember the sacrifices of these heroes, stressing that their dedication deserved not only appreciation but collective gratitude. Wahab noted that the first martyrdom from the Karachi fire brigade was recorded in 1955, and since then, 34 firefighters had laid down their lives in the line of duty. “The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has a history of over 70 years of service. We have ensured the payment of fire allowances and awarded the ‘Tamgha-e-Karachi’ to deserving employees,” he remarked.

He emphasised the importance of honouring all deserving public servants, including firefighters, police, armed forces, and journalists, and prayed for the safety and prosperity of Karachi, Sindh, and Pakistan.

The mayor also addressed a range of civic matters in the speech. He said that during his tenure as the administrator, the KMC passed a resolution to ban plastic bags, which was later challenged in court. “We have taken this up with the chief minister of Sindh, and from June 15, plastic bags will be banned across the city due to their harmful environmental impact.”

He added that a city-wide storm water drain cleaning campaign will begin in June, and warned that no illegal cattle markets would be allowed this Eid without the KMC’s approval. “We will not tolerate land encroachments or 'China-cutting' practices as in the past.”

Commenting on infrastructure and governance issues, Wahab said, “While we may have differences with the federal government, the recent advertisement issued by KPT was misleading," he said. He said the water corporation in Karachi had been working to repair pipelines and upgrade the ageing infrastructure.