European standard buses planned for Karachi

Sindh Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday met Cemil Senocak, the Director of a Turkish company - Albayrak Group - and offered him to bring European Standard Electric public transport buses in Karachi.

Secretary Transport, Abdul Haleem Sheikh and Managing Director, Sindh Mass Transit Authority Capt (retd) Altaf Hussain were also present on the occasion.

The minister informed the visiting guest that Karachi is a metropolitan city that offers the best business opportunities. He said that the Sindh Transport Department has planned to bring thousands of buses in the city as the department is already working on modern BRT system under Red Line, Orange Line, People's Intra-District Bus Service and Yellow Line.

He also offered the Turkish firm head to set up a manufacturing plant in Dhabeji Free Economic Zone.

He said that Sindh government is ready to extend every possible support to Turkish company to invest in public transport sector in Karachi. "We are ready to join hands under public-private partnership, Government can provide subsidy on operating and maintenance of buses to the company."

The minister said that Pakistan and Turkey enjoy excellent relations and Pakistan wants Turkish companies to invest in Sindh in the field of public transport.

Memon said that during his recent visit to Turkey, he met the Turkish Deputy Minister for Transport and invited him to explore opportunities in Sindh's public transport sector.

Director Albayrak Group Cemil Senocak said that he, as a representative of his company, feels proud to work in Pakistan. He added that his company is also interested in the field of public transport in Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan.

He said that his company will come up with proposals to share with the Sindh transport department.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2022.