KARACHI, Nov 01 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Sunday evening inaugurated the Sindhi Muslim Food Walk in Chanesar Town, marking a major step towards the transformation of one of Karachi’s popular commercial and food destinations into a more organised, attractive and pedestrian-friendly public space.
The Rs250 million urban improvement project is aimed at promoting food and cultural tourism, facilitating local businesses, improving civic infrastructure and providing residents and visitors with a better environment to enjoy the city’s rich culinary culture.
Following the inauguration, the chief minister visited different eateries along the Food Walk, interacted with restaurant owners, customers and members of the public, and mingled with people enjoying the lively atmosphere. He also obliged citizens by posing for selfies, making the occasion a public interaction beyond the formal inauguration ceremony.
The visit reflected the importance of making public spaces more accessible and welcoming, while connecting urban development initiatives with the everyday lives of citizens.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, attended by provincial ministers, including Saeed Ghani, Nasir Shah, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chairman Town Municipal Corporation (TMC) Chanesar Town Farhan Ghani, elected representatives, senior government officials, members of the business community and other distinguished guests, the chief minister congratulated the TMC chairman, municipal commissioner, engineers, contractors and workers who contributed to completing the project.
He said Sindhi Muslim was already among Karachi’s well-known commercial and food destinations, attracting visitors from different parts of the city. Its growing popularity, however, required proper planning, improved infrastructure and organised public spaces.
The chief minister said the Sindhi Muslim Food Walk was not merely a beautification scheme but a comprehensive urban improvement initiative designed to make the area more accessible, attractive, organised and convenient for businesses, visitors and residents.
Executed by TMC Chanesar Town at an estimated cost of Rs250 million, the project was initiated on February 1, 2026, and completed in October 2026.
The development works include replacement of sewerage lines, installation of underground electrical cabling and removal of overhead wires, rehabilitation of roads and pedestrian footpaths, installation of modern streetlights, bollard lights and decorative lighting, plantation and landscaping, beautification of roundabouts, improvement of parking facilities and diversion roads, and installation of traffic signs and road markings.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said such improvements would enhance the experience of visitors and create a more organised environment for restaurants, shops and other businesses operating in the area.
Highlighting Karachi’s potential for food and cultural tourism, he said the city’s cuisine, traditions, diversity and hospitality were important elements of its identity. Initiatives such as the Sindhi Muslim Food Walk could help unlock this potential by creating opportunities for restaurants, small businesses, entrepreneurs, vendors and the local workforce.
He observed that better public infrastructure and organised commercial spaces could attract private investment, generate employment and strengthen economic activity at the neighbourhood level.
The chief minister emphasised that development did not end with the inauguration of a project, adding that its real success depended on effective maintenance and sustainable municipal management.
He called upon TMC Chanesar Town to ensure regular cleanliness, proper waste management, functional streetlights, protection of plantation, pedestrian safety and effective traffic management so that the Food Walk remained clean, functional and attractive in the years ahead.
He also encouraged other Town Municipal Corporations to draw inspiration from the initiative and undertake similar projects according to the needs and potential of their respective areas.
Speaking about the Sindh Government’s wider development agenda, the chief minister said the provincial government was committed to inclusive development, economic growth and improving the quality of life of people across the province.
He said the government’s development vision extended beyond the construction of roads and buildings and focused on better public services, reliable infrastructure and expanded economic opportunities.
Referring to Karachi’s strategic importance, he described the city as the economic engine of Pakistan and said its development was essential not only for Sindh but also for the prosperity of the entire country. A substantial allocation had been earmarked for Karachi-related development initiatives in the financial year 2026-27.
He highlighted major infrastructure priorities, including the Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway, K-IV Greater Karachi Water Supply Project, BRT Red Line and Yellow Line, Korangi Causeway Flyover and associated connectivity works, Greater Karachi Sewerage Plan (S-III), and Karachi Water and Sewerage Improvement Project (KWSSIP-II).
He also referred to the CLICK programme, through which the Sindh Government was supporting municipal infrastructure and institutional improvements across Karachi.
The chief minister said strengthening local government institutions remained an important pillar of the provincial government’s development strategy, as Town Municipal Corporations and Union Committees were closest to citizens and played a vital role in delivering essential municipal services.
He noted that the Sindh Government had doubled the OZT grant for Town Municipal Corporations in 2023 and for Union Committees in 2024. The devolution of Urban Immovable Property Tax (UIPT) to Town Municipal Corporations was another measure aimed at strengthening their financial resources and improving municipal service delivery.
Under the CLICK programme, municipal infrastructure and institutional development were also being supported, while a new property survey had been undertaken to help improve the revenue base and financial sustainability of Town Municipal Corporations.
He said the government was also focusing on digital governance, transparency, accountability and improved revenue generation, adding that greater financial resources brought greater responsibility for quality construction, timely completion of development schemes and proper maintenance of public assets.
Highlighting the importance of public spaces in building a modern city, Syed Murad Ali Shah said urban development should not be limited to flyovers, highways and bridges. Clean streets, organised markets, pedestrian-friendly walkways, parks, green spaces and recreational facilities were equally important for improving the quality of urban life.
He said families needed safe and accessible places to spend time together, while children and young people required opportunities for recreation, sports and community engagement.
In this regard, he referred to the rehabilitation and improvement of public spaces and heritage sites, including Empress Market, Frere Hall, Jahangir Park, Karachi Zoo, Safari Park and Baldia Sports Complex.
He also highlighted the development of 28 parks and playgrounds of international standards in Karachi through the CLICK programme, saying such initiatives were part of the government’s efforts to make the city cleaner, greener, more accessible and family-friendly.
The chief minister said every part of Karachi should benefit from planned urban development rather than limiting improvements to selected areas.
Concluding the ceremony, Syed Murad Ali Shah appreciated the efforts of Chairman TMC Chanesar Town Farhan Ghani, the municipal commissioner, engineers, contractors and workers, while acknowledging the cooperation of the local business community and residents.
He urged citizens, traders and municipal authorities to work together to protect public infrastructure, promote cleanliness, support local businesses and make neighbourhoods better places to live and work.
The chief minister formally inaugurated the Sindhi Muslim Food Walk and expressed hope that the initiative would encourage similar urban regeneration and commercial improvement projects across Karachi and other urban centres of Sindh.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
