Mayor of Karachi

Before the Christian era, various towns and cities existed near the present day Karachi such as Barbarikon, Debal, and Banbhore.

Local government system in the Indian subcontinent dates back to Mauryan empire or earlier.

During the Mauryan empire, a council of thirty commissioners was divided into six committees or boards which governed the city of Pataliputra and handled affairs such as fixing wages, controlling manufacturing and supplies, arrangement of foreign dignitaries, tourists and foreigners, handling records and registrations, collection of sales taxes, trade regulation, issuing licenses for weights and measurements, and municipal responsibilities.

The Panchayat (assembly of five elders) system traced in the Rig Veda back to 1200 BC (Alok 2006).

Owing to multiethnic composition, the different religious groups took turns as mayors of Karachi such as Parsis, Muslims, Hindus and Christians until the Independence of Pakistan in 1947.

During the presidential rule of Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the local governments were reinstated with much better powers and control, which lasted until 2010.

KMC's functions include flyovers, storm water drains (nullahs), special development programmes, maintenance work, municipal watch and ward, fire fighting services, civil defense, traffic engineering, management of milk supply schemes, encroachment management on its land and properties, celebration of national days, reception of foreign dignitaries/distinguished guests.

KMC is also responsible for maintaining Zoological Gardens, Safari Parks, Aquariums, Sports Complexes, Beeches, Art Galleries, Museums and Metropolitan Libraries under its jurisdiction.