PM Imran orders finalisation of ‘Karachi Transformation Plan’

Premier says development of Pakistan is linked to the development of Karachi

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan directed on Monday that the “Karachi Transformation Plan” be finalised this week in consultation with all stakeholders so that the process of a formal approval and implementation phase for a permanent solution to Karachi's problems could begin.

Referring to the problems of Karachi and the development needs of Pakistan’s economic hub, the Prime Minister said that “the development of the country is linked to the development of Karachi.”

Expressing that he fully understands the issues that the people living in Karachi are facing for years now, the premier said the government “can't turn a blind eye to the plight of the people and the federation will play its full role for the solution and development of Karachi's problems.”

PM Imran expressed these views after Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Asad Umar gave a detailed briefing and presentation to him on the problems of Karachi, including water, sewerage, drainage, solid waste management and transport, and the proposed the Karachi Transformation Plan for the permanent solution of these problems.

Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Zaidi, Chairman NDMA Lt. Gen. Muhammad Afzal, secretaries of relevant ministries and senior officers also attended the meeting in person and through video link.

On August 29, PM Imran had revealed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were all set to work together to resolve three major issues of the metropolitan city Karachi.

Days after the federal and Sindh governments decided to set aside their differences for the betterment of Karachi, the premier said that the PTI and PPP governments have decided to immediately start working together for cleaning of nullahs, devising a permanent solution to the solid waste disposal and sewerage problems and ensuring water supply to the city.

The announcement had come in the wake of heavy rains crippling the infrastructure of Karchi and claiming the lives of several citizens. In a series of Tweets after the record-breaking rainfall which triggered urban flooding in Karachi, he had announced to join hands with the provincial government being run by the PPP to address the three major issues of the city.

Expressing sympathy with the people of Karachi who were devastated by the torrential rains in the past few days, the prime minister had assured the residents of Pakistan’s commercial hub that the federal and provincial governments were ready to permanently solve Karachi’s problems.

The announcement had come on the heels of premier’s statement on August 28 wherein he said that the federal government was completely aware of the development needs of Sindh's people, especially of Karachi's, and assured that the Centre would play its due role in this regard.

On August 16, the federal and Sindh governments while setting aside their difference for the time being for the sake of the country’s economic hub had formed a committee comprising representatives from the city’s three main stakeholders— PPP, PTI and MQM—to address the city’s issues.

Before that, the Center and Sindh government were at loggerheads over a host of issues, especially, on adopting different strategies to handle the Covid-19 outbreak.