Karachi Mayor Faces Criticism After Sharing Video of Karimabad Underpass
Karachi: Murtaza Wahab, the Mayor of Karachi, has come under criticism after sharing a video of the under-construction Karimabad underpass on social media.
The mayor posted the video late on March 2, 2026, intending to show that construction work on the project was nearing completion. However, instead of praise, the clip triggered a wave of criticism from citizens and social media users who questioned the design and planning of the underpass.
Karimabad Underpass pic.twitter.com/d6ALdOMvC2
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) March 1, 2026
Many users shared screenshots from the video, arguing that the structure appeared too narrow and did not follow proper traffic engineering or safety standards. Critics pointed out that the road inside the underpass seemed to lack additional space or an emergency margin on either side.
ریاست پاکستان اور آرمی چیف صاحب @OfficialDGISPR
اگر یہ واقعی سنگل لین انڈر پاس ہے اور اس میں نہ روڈ سائیڈ کلیئرنس ہے، نہ ایمرجنسی مارجن، نہ بریک ڈاؤن لین — تو کیا متعلقہ حکام نے یہ سوچا ہے کہ اگر اندر کوئی گاڑی یا ٹرک خراب ہو جائے تو کیا ہوگا؟
کیا پورا ٹریفک اس وقت تک رُکا رہے… pic.twitter.com/14psxn6Qno— Abdul only (@Abdulonly99) March 4, 2026
One of the major concerns raised was that if a vehicle or truck breaks down inside the underpass, there would be no alternative path for traffic behind it. Citizens warned that the absence of a breakdown lane could block the entire route and prevent emergency services such as ambulances and fire brigades from reaching the scene.
Karimabad Underpass pic.twitter.com/d6ALdOMvC2
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) March 1, 2026
Some users also criticized the presence of pillars inside the narrow passage. A few social media users humorously compared the passage to “Lahore’s Nikah Street,” while others joked that only “a slim person could pass through it easily.”
Agar koi gari ya truck yahan kharab ho jata hai tu matlb kam tamam?
— Aashir 🇵🇸 (@Jemineyee) March 2, 2026
Comparisons were also made with infrastructure in Lahore, with one user commenting that even in less developed areas of the city, roads are wider and better designed.
سر جی اگر کسی کی گاڑی خراب ہو جاے تو پھر کیا کرنا ہے وہ نہیں بتایا آپنے
— Abdul Haleem Leghari (@AHaleemLaghari) March 2, 2026
Citizens urged the mayor to prioritize sustainable urban planning and public safety rather than focusing only on temporary traffic relief. According to critics, poorly designed projects could lead to major accidents and severe traffic congestion in the future.
یہ کیا موٹر سائیکل کا انڈر پاس ہے؟ یہ بیچ میں اتنے پلرز کس لیے ہیں؟ یہاں تو ٹریفک اور جام ہو گا
— Vaquas Alvi (@VaquasAlvi_) March 2, 2026
Meanwhile, Atif Hussain defended the project, saying the video showed only one track of the underpass and that the full structure is larger than it appears in the clip. He added that once the underpass becomes operational, its strengths and weaknesses will become clearer.
لاہور میں نکاح والی تنگ گلی ہے تو کراچی میں کریم آباد انڈر پاس ہے۔ ہور کوئی خدمت ؟ pic.twitter.com/P1kFhdA6RZ
— Anis Farooqui (@TheAnisFarooqui) March 4, 2026
Construction of the Karimabad underpass began in May 2023 and was initially scheduled to be completed within 10 months, with an opening planned for October 2024. However, technical issues caused delays, creating difficulties for shopkeepers and commuters in the area.
Come to Lahore and take a look at CBD Underpass, then compare it to this shit. Na aesthetics ka pta na sheher chalana ata hai hai. Agr zara si bhi sharam hai to resign krdete. Ugliest underpass I've ever seen. Least developed area of lahore prob has better path than this.
— lethargy (@Something_ToBee) March 2, 2026
According to the original PC-1 document, the project’s estimated cost was Rs1.34 billion. However, a report submitted on January 30 by the Monitoring and Evaluation Cell of the provincial Planning and Development Department to the Chief Minister of Sindh stated that the cost has now increased to Rs3.81 billion.
شرم بھی نا آئی حسینہ کی بل کھاتی کمر جیسا انڈر پاس اور سے کی یہ ویڈیو شیئر کرتے ہوئے 😱
زرداری صاحب اور بلاول بھٹو صاحب @BBhuttoZardari آپ انہیں تیس سال بھی دے دیں یہ نااہل ہیں ان سے کچھ نہیں ہوسکتا— Junaid Raza Zaidi (@junaidraza01) March 2, 2026
کلپ میں انڈر پاس کا ایک ٹریک نظر آرہا ہے ورنہ یہ انڈر پاس کافی بڑا ہے اور اس کے فعال ہو جانے کے بعد عوام کو کافی سہولت میسر آئے گی
اب تعمیر پر تنقید کرنے والے انجینئر نہیں ہیں جو لکھ رہے ہیں سیاسی مخالفت میں لکھ رہے ہیں
انڈر پاس فعال ہوگا تو ساری خامیاں خوبیاں سامنے آجائیں گی— Atif Hussain (@AtifTalks) March 2, 2026
