City’s first beach resort opens | The Express Tribune

KARACHI:

Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab inaugurated the Cove Beach Resort at Hawk’s Bay on Friday, the first-ever beach resort in the metropolis established under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

While speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mayor declared that Karachiites no longer need to travel abroad for premium beach experiences, as the city now boasts its own world-class leisure destination. The resort, completed in just six months, offers state-of-the-art facilities and is now open to the public.

The mayor described the project as a milestone achievement for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and a step toward modernising the city’s infrastructure.

Wahab announced that another beach resort is in the pipeline, likely to be developed in Ibrahim Hyderi or Malir, ensuring broader access to high-quality recreational spaces for citizens. He stressed that enhancing Karachi’s leisure and tourism sector remains a top priority under his administration.

The mayor outlined several key projects aimed at improving Karachi’s livability and economic vitality, which include cleaning of 46 major stormwater drains to prevent urban flooding during monsoon; beautification of II Chundrigar Road, the city’s financial hub; preservation of historic landmarks such as Denso Hall, Empress Market, and Frere Hall; development of a mangrove conservation park to promote environmental awareness.

The inauguration was attended by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, City Council Parliamentary Leader Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, and various UC chairmen and officials.

In a separate meeting with the Sindhi Muslim Housing Society’s Managing Committee, Mayor Wahab directed the KMC Land Department to take immediate action against illegal constructions and encroachments on KMC-owned properties. He asked for weekly progress reports to ensure enforcement transparency.

Meanwhile, the mayor has formally written to the Federal Minister for Commerce and Chairman of the Export Development Fund (EDF) Board, Jam Kamal Khan, expressing deep concern over the continued neglect of Karachi in the allocation and utilisation of Export Development Funds.

The Mayor has urged the federal government to ensure that Karachi receives its rightful share of support and funding, commensurate with its critical role in Pakistan’s economy.