KARACHI – In a major move to elevate Karachi to the ranks of the world’s top cities, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced a massive development package exceeding Rs. 84.7 billion.
The announcement came during a high-level meeting with a delegation from the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), led by DG Major General Abdul Sami. Key officials, including Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, and Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, were also in attendance.
Vision for a Modern Karachi
The Chief Minister emphasized a comprehensive strategy for the city’s growth. In addition to the primary Rs. 84.79 billion package, an additional Rs. 26.2 billion has been approved for city-wide initiatives.
“I want to establish a strong partnership with the FWO to launch these mega-projects,” CM Shah stated. “Karachi’s infrastructure should be at par with the best cities in the world.”
Key Infrastructure Projects
The proposed plan focuses on resolving traffic bottlenecks and improving connectivity:
- Malir & Airport Access: Construction of an underpass at Malir Halt (Printing Press) to eliminate traffic congestion and a new flyover from Airport to Star Gate for direct access to Shahrah-e-Faisal.
- Highway Connectivity: A major road project connecting M-9 Jinnah Avenue to Shahrah-e-Faisal, linking the Super Highway with the city’s main arteries.
- Sohrab Goth Gateway: A new flyover at Sohrab Goth to ease the heavy traffic pressure at the city’s main entrance.
- Heavy Traffic Routes: Construction of roads from Y-Junction to Machli Chowk (Hawksbay Road) and Masroor Base to the Truck Stand to facilitate commercial traffic.
Urban Renewal and Beautification
The Chief Minister detailed further localized improvements:
- 443 internal roads to be constructed across various neighborhoods.
- 26 KMC roads and 9 traffic management projects are in the pipeline.
- Beautification projects for 7 major roads and upgrades for parks and flyovers.
Timeline
The meeting concluded with the decision that FWO engineers, the Local Government Department, and KMC officials will immediately begin joint design work. CM Shah directed that all design and utility shifting issues must be resolved by February, with physical construction set to begin in March 2026.
