PM to unveil Rs802b package for Karachi today

Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to announce Rs802 billion worth of development package for Karachi under the city’s transformation plan on Saturday (today), as many parts of the city still reels from damages caused by deluge.

Sindh’s metropolitan city had witnessed unprecedented rainfall last week that caused urban flooding and power outage. Such an incident has exposed the city’s water drainage system, which according to experts was one of the main reasons for urban flooding.

PM Imran, who is about to visit the megacity today, would be accompanied by federal ministers, the National Disaster Management Authority officials and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders.

Under the Karachi Transformation Plan, as many as six projects of mass transit system worth Rs447.43 billion would be announced. Moreover, the Karachi Circular Railway – worth Rs300 billion – has been included as one of the projects under the mass transit systems. While China would provide Rs250 billion and the Sindh government would add Rs50 billion to the mega project.

Among the uplift projects are eight sewerage projects estimated at Rs162.60 billion, four solid waste management projects amounting to Rs14.86 billion, two water drainage projects costing around Rs4.70 billion, and various road construction and repair projects costing an estimated Rs62.30 billion respectively.

It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Sindh ruling party, had demanded of the federal government to provide the necessary funds to the provincial government to deal with the damages caused by heavy floods.

During the visit, the premier would also call on Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and hold meetings with party lawmakers, coalition leaders and the NDMA officials. PM Imran is expected to visit the Karachi Stock Exchange where he would meet traders and industrialists.