Karachi is the largest and most populous city in Pakistan and the capital of Sindh province. It is also the economic hub of the country, generating about 20% of the GDP. Karachi has a long and rich history of local governance, dating back to the British colonial era.
The city has been governed by different mayors from various political parties and ethnic backgrounds over the years. Here is a list of some of the notable mayors of Karachi:
- Jamshed Nusserwanji Mehta: He was the first elected mayor of Karachi, serving from 1933 to 1934. He was a Parsi businessman and philanthropist, who is widely regarded as the “Maker of Modern Karachi”. He initiated many development projects in the city, such as building roads, bridges, parks, schools, hospitals, and libraries. He also improved the water supply, sanitation, and drainage systems of Karachi. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services to the city.
- Allah Bakhsh Gabol: He was the first Muslim mayor of Karachi, serving twice from 1940 to 1941 and from 1943 to 1944. He was a Sindhi politician and lawyer, who played an active role in the Pakistan Movement. He was also a member of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan and the Sindh Assembly. He advocated for the rights of Sindhis and other minorities in Pakistan.
- Abdul Sattar Afghani: He was also a two-time mayor of Karachi, serving from 1987 to 1992 and from 2001 to 2005. He was a Jamaat-e-Islami leader and activist, who was known for his opposition to martial law and dictatorship in Pakistan. He was also involved in various social welfare and educational projects in Karachi. He was arrested several times for his political activities and faced many assassination attempts.
- Naimatullah Khan: He was the mayor of Karachi from 2001 to 2005. He was another Jamaat-e-Islami leader and lawyer, who focused on improving the infrastructure and environment of Karachi. He launched many mega projects in the city, such as flyovers, underpasses, signal-free corridors, parks, playgrounds, and libraries. He also initiated the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway and the construction of the Lyari Expressway.
- Mustafa Kamal: He was the mayor of Karachi from 2005 to 2010. He was a Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader and engineer, who is credited with transforming Karachi into a modern and cosmopolitan city. He completed many development projects in Karachi, such as roads, bridges, water supply, sewerage, solid waste management, mass transit, health care, education, sports, culture, and tourism. He also introduced many reforms in the local government system and enhanced its efficiency and transparency. He was named as one of the best mayors in the world by Foreign Policy magazine in 2008.
- Waseem Akhtar: He was the mayor of Karachi from 2016 to 2021. He was also a Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader and businessman, who faced many challenges and constraints during his tenure. He had limited powers and resources as compared to his predecessors, due to the changes in the local government laws by the provincial government. He also had to deal with many legal cases against him for his alleged involvement in violence and corruption. Despite these difficulties, he tried to improve the civic conditions of Karachi by launching various projects such as road repairs, garbage collection, anti-encroachment drives, fire-fighting equipment, ambulances, and green buses.
- Murtaza Wahab: He is the current mayor of Karachi since June 2023. He is a Pakistan Peoples Party leader and lawyer, who won a closely contested election against Hafiz Rehman of Jamaat-e-Islami. He is also serving as the provincial minister for local government and information in Sindh. He has vowed to work for the betterment of Karachi and its people by resolving their issues such as water scarcity, power outages, traffic jams, pollution, crime, and terrorism.
These are some of the names of Karachi mayors only in English. There are many more who have served this city with dedication and vision over the years. They have shaped the history and destiny of Karachi with their policies and actions.
