Karachi: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Sunday inaugurated a long-awaited vertical parking facility at Boulton Market, developed by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), in a bid to alleviate traffic congestion in one of the city’s busiest commercial zones.
The facility, which can accommodate over 200 cars and 250 motorcycles, marks a significant addition to Karachi’s urban infrastructure. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, elected representatives, and members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
Speaking to the media, Mayor Wahab said the project had been decades in the making, with its origins dating back to 1976. Initial efforts to build the parking structure were stalled by legal complications, which kept the matter pending in the Sindh High Court since 1986. He noted that the current administration worked to resolve longstanding land ownership disputes, resulting in the recovery of over Rs100 million in revenue.
“This facility will provide much-needed parking relief to shoppers and traders in the Boulton Market area,” said Wahab. “It also reflects our commitment to delivering long-delayed infrastructure projects.”
The parking plaza includes 50 office spaces—25 developed through a public-private partnership and 25 under KMC’s direct management. Wahab highlighted that had the matter been resolved earlier, the project could have generated substantial revenue for the city.
In his remarks, the mayor linked the project to a broader urban development agenda under the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), citing completed and upcoming initiatives such as People’s Square, Empress Market parking upgrades, and various road and bridge projects across the city.
He also announced the planned inaugurations of the 100 MGD Hub Canal and Gutter Baghicha Treatment Plant in August, the Karimabad Underpass in September, and the Korangi Causeway Bridge in November. Several other infrastructure projects are expected to follow.
Later in the day, Wahab also inaugurated the Allama Qari Muslehuddin Siddiqui Garden in Khori Garden, pledging continued efforts to enhance public spaces in collaboration with local stakeholders. The mayor called for continued support from federal and provincial institutions, particularly in funding large-scale development projects, and reiterated the city’s right to its share of national resources.
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