CM rejects separate province demand

Inaugurates Rs1.5b Cattle Colony Flyover, announces major Karachi infra push

KARACHI:

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has inaugurated the Cattle Colony Flyover — officially named Khalid Bin Waleed Flyover — and announced a series of major infrastructure initiatives to ease congestion and accelerate development in Karachi.

Rejecting calls to declare Karachi a separate province, Murad termed the demand unconstitutional and impractical, reiterating that the city remained an integral part of Sindh.

He called for direct federal funding to local councils to strengthen grassroots service delivery.

Constructed by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) under the Competitive & Livable City of Karachi (CLICK) project with World Bank support, the Rs1.865 billion flyover was completed in a record five months. Though approved on July 21, 2025, construction began on September 21 and was fast-tracked to completion.

Located in Malir district, the 682-metre-long, four-lane flyover connects Mehran Highway to the National Highway (N-5), significantly reducing traffic bottlenecks around Cattle Colony and eliminating delays at the railway crossing. It is expected to improve connectivity for residents of Malir, Ibrahim Hyderi and the Export Processing Zone, as well as commuters travelling between key industrial and commercial areas. The project also includes dual ramps, 1,418 metres of at-grade road works, pedestrian walkways, a parking lane and a service road. Speaking at the inauguration, attended by Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Mayor Murtaza Wahab and other elected representatives, the chief minister said the project would provide long-term relief and boost economic activity through uninterrupted traffic flow.

He announced that development schemes worth Rs300 billion would be included for Karachi in the upcoming provincial budget, while Rs8 to Rs13 billion had already been approved for KMC projects. He added that Shahrah-e-Bhutto from Qayyumabad to Kathore would be completed within four to six weeks and extended to the port, while the Azimpura flyover and Murghi Khana Bridge were also nearing completion.