PM orders speeding up Karachi operation

PM pledges to focus on development as he breaks ground for Green Line Bus Rapid Transit costing Rs16 billion

KARACHI:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday called for speeding up the security operation in Karachi, as he laid the foundation for a Rs16 billion Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), offering it as proof that peace and development were returning to the metropolis.

He also pledged federal government assistance in making Karachi one of the best cities in South Asia.



“In the next eight to 10 years, Pakistan will have significant importance not only in South Asia, but in the entire Asian region,” PM Nawaz said at Nazimabad’s Annu Bhai Park where the groundbreaking ceremony for the mass transit project was held.

The BRT, which will run in segregated lanes, was initially planned to run from Surjani Town to Guru Mandir. At Guru Mandir, it was supposed to join the Blue Line BRT. But the PM noted that due to delays in the latter, the Green Line will now be extended all the way up to Pakistan Chowk.

The sudden extension in the project is likely to increase the project cost but EA Consultants, the firm hired to manage the Green Line, has yet to work it out, said the firm’s representative Tahir Soomro. The project is likely to cost Rs7 billion to Rs8 billion more, said Karachi Infrastructure Development Company Limited (KIDCL) chief financial officer Bilal Memon.

“We have controlled the law and order situation and the time will soon come when we will not need to discuss law and order, but our agenda will be development of this city,” he said, pledging to resist any pressure on this count.



“The Green Line project is extremely necessary to improve the transport system in Karachi,” said PM Sharif, adding that he has been assured that the project will be completed by April 2017 and that it will be more beautiful that the Lahore Metro.

His comments came days after an international ranking that listed Karachi among some of the worst cities to live in the world.

Spread over a 22 kilometre stretch with an elevated track of 11.7km and 7.7km of ground track, the Green Lin will have 22 stations along its route, placed at an average distance of 800 metres between each station.

Law and order reviewed

“After controlling 70 per cent of target killings, extortion and kidnappings for ransom, please get rid of street crime,” he told the Sindh chief minister during a meeting on the security situation. He also directed the CM to improve the prosecution department by appointing competent officers.



The chief secretary, DG Rangers and IG briefed the premier about the ongoing targeted action in the city against criminals, financers and abettors of terrorists.

Stressing the need for enhancing coordination between intelligence agencies, police and other civilian agencies to foil terror plots, the premier directed the director general of Rangers to speed up action against terrorists.

Nawaz lauded the role of law enforcement agencies in securing peace in Karachi and paid tributes to those who sacrificed their lives in the process. He noted that the operation had been launched based on a consensus reached among all the stakeholders and that the operation would continue till it reaches its logical conclusion.

Officials referring to Nawaz said that the “prime minister was very happy about Karachi’s law and order situation and appreciated DG Rangers and chief minister on containing the situation.”


Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2016.