Sindh CM approves multi-billion-rupee Karachi Transformation Plan
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chairs a meeting at the CM House to finalise plans for the Karachi Transformative Development Project. Photo: X
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has approved the Karachi Transformation Plan, envisaging a partnership with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) to undertake large-scale infrastructure development and ensure world-class urban standards in the metropolis.
He granted the approval during a joint meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s House on Wednesday.
Minister for Local Government Nasir Hussain Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, Mayor Murtaza Wahab, CM’s Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, and Commissioner Hassan Naqvi attended the meeting. The FWO delegation was led by Director General Major General Abdul Sami.
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Addressing the meeting, CM Shah said his government was committed to implementing a comprehensive development plan for Karachi. A one-time grant-in-aid of Rs84.796 billion has been approved for 523 development schemes across the city, he said, adding that another Rs26.282 billion has been allocated for Karachi-related projects under the Federal Public Sector Development Programme (FPSDP).
He stated that the government intended to execute major projects in collaboration with FWO to ensure quality, speed, and transparency, stressing that all mega schemes should be designed in line with international standards. “Karachi’s development should be at par with the world’s best cities,” he added.
Sindh CM @MuradAliShahPPP meets #FWO delegation, announces a Rs95bn Karachi Development Package to transform the city with world-class infrastructure, improved connectivity & sustainable urban growth. #KarachiTransformation pic.twitter.com/VtkgT1DnCu
The chief minister said that six priority infrastructure projects, costing Rs10.72 billion, have been identified in Karachi Division for immediate execution to address traffic congestion, improve connectivity, and enhance urban mobility. These include rehabilitation of the road from M-9 to Malir-15 via Jinnah Avenue and Shahrah-e-Faisal, construction of a right-turn underpass from Malir Halt printing press to Shahrah-e-Faisal, and construction of a flyover from Airport Road to Star Gate on Shahrah-e-Faisal.
Other major schemes include rehabilitation of the road from Y-Junction to Machli Chowk at Hawkes Bay, including the damaged section from Masroor Base to the Truck Stand, and construction of a flyover at Sohrab Goth at a cost of Rs5 billion, a critical gateway for inter-district traffic.
Briefing the meeting, Minister Nasir Shah and Mayor Murtaza Wahab highlighted Karachi’s structural, environmental, and urban challenges. They stated that 10 to 12 major development schemes were identified, of which five have already been approved for initial implementation.
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It was further informed that the proposed 523 development schemes include rehabilitation of damaged roads, improvement of traffic management systems, restoration of major arteries and link roads, construction of flyovers, development of parks, and beautification of seven key roads. Implementation will be carried out by KMC, KDA, Karachi Mega Schemes, and city government departments.
Mayor Wahab said the projects were finalised after field verification, departmental assessments, and stakeholder consultations, aiming to reduce congestion, improve airport and inter-district connectivity, strengthen logistics routes, and enhance the city’s urban landscape.
Separately, Provincial Secretary for Energy Shahab Qamar Ansari, along with Commissioner Mirpurkhas, Faisal Aqili and senior officials of the Energy Department, carried out a detailed site inspection at Chhor near Umerkot to review progress on the railway infrastructure linking the Thar coalmines with Port Qasim.
The inspection, carried out on the directives of CM Shah, focused on the 105-kilometre railway line connecting Thar coalfields to Bin Qasim. The project also includes the extension of a nine-kilometre railway track from Bin Qasim to Port Qasim and the construction of a dedicated coal unloading facility at the port.
CM Shah has stressed that the railway line will integrate the Thar coalmines with the national railway network and Port Qasim, facilitating the seamless movement of coal for power generation and industrial use. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs90 billion, with funding being shared equally between the Sindh and federal governments. The Sindh government has already released its share, amounting to Rs6.61 billion.