PM Nawaz announces Rs15b for metro bus project in Karachi
The metro bus is part of the rapid transport service project.
The premier, along with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, arrived in Karachi on Thursday, Express News reported earlier.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah received the premier upon his arrival.
During his one-day visit to the metropolitan city, Prime Minister Nawaz headed a high-level meeting at the Governor House, where the DG Rangers briefed him about the Karachi operation and the law and order situation in the city.
The prime minister, while addressing the meeting, said he appreciated the suggestions given regarding the operation. He added that everyone had said that "the operation against criminals should happen quickly."
"Soon after your suggestions, we initiated the operation," the premier said.
Expressing fears of backlash in major cities because of the Zarb-e-Azb operation, the premier emphasised that law enforcement agencies should ensure that the security situation remains under control.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, the Sindh chief minister, acting IG Sindh, DG Rangers and officials of intelligence agencies were present during the meeting.
The prime minister also supervised another important meeting at the Governor House regarding development projects, particularly mega-projects in Karachi.
The Sindh chief secretary briefed the premier about the delay in the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project and said the biggest hurdle was encroachment in the right of way. He informed him that the Sindh government needs massive funding to clear the area and relocate encroachments.
According to sources, PM Nawaz will also meet representatives of various political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N).
Karachi traders' woes
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), in a letter presented to the prime minister on behalf of six industrial associates, traders and businessmen, asked the premier to deploy the army in the city considering the deteriorating security situation.
They complained about the law and order situation of Karachi in the letter, saying that traders were still being kidnapped despite the ongoing operation in the city.
They said the operation was successful during the first two months. However, they said that they are still being subjected to extortion.
President of the KCCI said that if the army can be deployed in Multan, it can also be deployed in Karachi. The letter also stated a request to the premier to hand the city to the army for three to four months.
It also added that the Karachi operation had become politicised, and the prime minister should take a stand.
On hearing the complaints of the traders, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah expressed his confusion. He said a few days ago the traders had said law and order in Karachi had improved, but they were singing a different tune in front of the premier.
He also said that he cannot restore the law and order situation in six months.
In a light moment during the meeting, the Sindh chief minister accidentally requested Rs220 million for the people of Karachi. Following laughter in the room, he corrected the statement and asked for Rs22 million.
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@Hamza Karachi is far better than any other city. karachi is the one who generates maximum revenue compared with any other city of Pakistan. and as far as punjab is concerned. i have not seen any development in South punjab. the people living there are ignored by the government they always do that with them.and as far as karachi is concerened the reason behind the violence is very simple. every single party needs to take over this city to earn maximum paisa.
Nawaz Sharif should continue serving the nation. He should not worry from the haters. Haters will continue their hate.
If 15 billion is paid to this old man/sind every one know where it will end.
rofl. Bribe for MQM and PPP to stay away from August 14 politics. PPP/MQM should thank PTI and PAT for the generous gift from our illegitimate Prime Minister.
@Napier Mole: Couldnt agree more
@Ek Pakistani: The whole nation is concerned about loss of life and violence in Karachi but ask yourself why it is mostly in Karachi. The leaders there have done a miserable job there for so many years. Why not let a new government fix the problems there? Take a look at Punjab's development and stability. Everything may not be perfect but at least Karachi can be brought to the same level of law and order and development.
@Taimoor: PS your link about traffic problems is over a year old and does not reflect the reality of improved traffic and easier travel in Lahore since Metro Bus. Ask your friends from Lahore to confirm this for yourself.
@Taimoor: You want PML N to fix all of the nation's problems in 1 year? They have done a good job so far as noted by international observers but it is not possible to undue 10 years of Musharraf misrule and 5 years of Zardari so soon. Metro Bus has done a great job in Lahore and common people in Rawalpindi are pretty excited about having the same facility. Why are you so negative on good work being done? I am sorry that law and order situation in Karachi is so bad but why don't people there elect different provincial rulers like Punjab did. Why are you upset that Shahbaz Sharif has done good work in Punjab to uplift the province?
@Humza,
What does the UN say about transparency, independence of institutions like police, NAB, and other law enforcement agencies, education and health improvement?
Have PMLN-led govts made any significant improvements in any of the above departments? No.
It's all about priorities, planning. You want to tackle transport issues? More than 1 options. Pick the least costly one. Not a fancy or extravagant one when you have done nothing in other departments.
Main thing: it's no revolutionary step.
And city planning is also the issue, not just showoff projects. Has Metro bus in Lahore solved the problem of Lahore traffic? Hardly:
This is after Metro: http://www.aaj.tv/2013/04/traffic-jams-now-permanent-feature-of-lahore-city/
@Hunza People are dying here in karachi. we need security we need medical facilities we do not need this bus service. UN also supports Medical facility which has been done in other countries like India and Bangladesh even in Iran but what have we got here in pakistan.One of the leading MPA of a rulling party Hanif abbasi is involved in Drug Case.
@Taimoor: Maybe you don't know that the United Nations supports effective public mass transport as the best way to improve a city's transport needs as has been done in other countries like Turkey and Colombia. The fact you think this is only about a few fancy buses shows you have no idea about mass transit projects. @Muhammad Rizwan Ali: What do rape cases in Pakistan or the thousands of rape cases in India have to do with economic plans to develop Karachi? The fact remains that an elected government is working hard to improve Pakistan and results are showing.
@Bablu: believe everything you read, do you even know maths or are you just another fool that wants to cry for no reason....it was the pak army made APC that killed 8 cops bcse they were not armoured properly...also US is cheaper...really grow up
karachi walo sab ktuch choro , directly elected mayor mango , we will get our transport , health facilities , locally recruited police , education civic amenities all will be developed and delivered
@LHR,
KP govt has done in 1 year what PMLN could not do in 20 years of their rule in Punjab: de-politicizing police, curbing corruption, introducing merit and improving services.
Stop being misled by an utterly corrupt and incompetent govt wasting money on a fancy bus project to hide its many ills.
Good help this country!
Now a bus is a symbol of progress. As if transport is the do and die matter in the country.
No police reforms, no structural reforms, no fixing corruption and nepotism in departments, no health and education improvement, no city planning...
All we need a is a fancy bus in a city and everything will be great!
Let's all vote for those rulers who only corrupted the system and weakened it, but introduced 1 or 2 fancy bus projects!
(NOTE: Transport projects are okay, but the way we have wrong priorities and the way our people are fooled by some fancy projects of an otherwise corrupt and incompetent govt is worrying).
Karachi needs to be put under the Federal Government through a Constitutional amendment and for ten years an the Army would have to be deployed to de-weaponize the city and to bring the criminals to justice. @Aysha M:
Who has stopped PTI and its government which exits in the form of a hologram in KPK to initiate a rapid transport system in Peshawar at a cost of Rs. 4 Billion. Its another story that KPK government's independent feasibility report on the same project has capped the cost at Rs. 61 billion.
......so Nawaz needs Zardari's support and ............ and the poor people of Karachi are destined to suffer.
@Timorlane: Mumbai Metro has each line at around 17,000 People Per Hour Per Direction. Karachi Green Line BRT is planned for 14,000. BRT built at lower cost with similar ridership should be preferable.
@Bilal Akber While Karachi is the largest city and financial hub, Federal Government funding makes sense. Hyderabad is purely responsibility of provincial government.
Good thing! Growing up in Karachi, mass transportation is much needed in the finance hub. However, it is not right for Federal Government to fund entire project.
For ultra mega cities like Karachi sky trains are the best mass transit solution from Chicago to Mumbai to Bangkok. These 15 billion rupees will end up in the dirt bag bottomless greedy tummies of wadera corruption party thugs who have been looting Karachi for last six years without let or hindrance
Again leaders have failed to see the problem and tried to solve the issue with throwing money. Karachi's transport problem is absent of metro bus. It is the transport Mafia, bad traffic police, and citizen of Karachi. Mr. PM would have none this if he would just leave the security barricade that he is always surrounded with while as PM and normal citizen.
Once more you can see the current leaders of Pakistan have no clue on how to solve problems. But they know ways to create corruption.
@Ek Pakistani: The CM is not 70, he's 86.
Do these idiots have any sense of timing or priority? While it's needed step, however we in Karachi could wait for this metro-bus service. Right now, Pakistan is overwhelmed by existential issues and this money is required and better spent on our compatriots the so called IDPs up there in the North. I for one wish to insist on the Federal Government to allocate maximum funds including these monies on settlement of Pakistanis faced with hardships due to our war against terrorism & our common enemies the terrorists of various hues all over.
Typical 30 years old dictator thought focusing more on showing off rather than original problems. The people of Karachi would be very happy to walking home and sitting in old crappy buses provided its safe to do so!!
Why he keeps talking about the "backlash"? The truth is that there is no backlash. In fact, no terrorist attack after the safe heavens in N. Waziristan have been targeted.
This has busted the myth of the "mighty" terrorists, and has made the government look like a fool to have talked to the low life criminals as stakeholders.
Bus service. Why can't they think for next 50 years??? Khi needs rail system.
@Shahriyar: @Ek Pakistani:
How about the Ethnic Corruption and Fascist Party, which has ruled Karachi for the last 25 out of 28 years, and always remained in the government? That is the main problem which has brought Karachi, the city of lights, to its knees.
@Karachi Bhai: Federal Government share is 15Bn, rest will be picked up by CDGK and GoSindh. as for your inflated figures, Lahore Green Line total cost, including land acquisition, was PKR 30 Billion and Rwp-ISB BRT total cost, including Peshawar Mor Interchange, is PKR 44 Billion.
First Sindh Govt: (Karachi administration) officers allow people to build houses/shops/market places over Railway and other government properties and then ask Federal government for amount to be given to such people to vacate their illegally held properties!
To support and fund such projects one needs will to serve which seems decayed in PPPP's last tenure where a mega project like Lyari Expressway hasn't yet been completed.
Karachi already has a railway line through her neighborhood where a over head Rapid Train service along a Bus transit line can be constructed.
Karachi needs more peace and harmony then any construction project. Nothing done on these lines.
@Bablu: How about we Karachiites vote for PMLN the next time around?
What About Hyderabad ? Hyderabad is of same size as Rawalpindi and Multan and has a population of 2-2.5 million. The city also needs some good development.
If PM has given Rs 15bn from federal govt to Karachi for a viable development project......why is it toubling PTI ?
Well done PM....May be this will help Provincial Govt to start a viable much needed transport project for Karachi
@Taimoor: Lahore Metro costs 20 odd billion and Punjab government paid for it. Appreciate Federal govts will to do what Sindh govt has failed to do. Development all the way. Such projects provide thousands of jobs during construction apart from being useful for decades
Thank you PM sahib for Karachi Metro Bus.. Much needed for a city of this scale. I'm liking the way this government is working on mega projects. I'm from Khi and I've voted for dumb head IK. Biggest mistake...he ain't worth my vote!
Mr Imran Khan,
This is PROGRESS. 15 Billion initially and Sindh govt's share to also be paid by Fed Govt. Let the govt work.Stop your stupidity and please let them work. Perform in KPK where you are changing your ministers on a daily basis.
Regards
@Ek Pakistani: He is not 70 year old, he is just 85. Something to do with his name, he is Qaim and Daim.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/553946/age-is-just-a-number-i-am-still-young-insists-85-year-old-qaim-ali-shah/
The cost of Bus project in Lahore was Rs 56 B, and other one in Pindi for 70B how is it possible to complete it is Rs. 15 B. Or you have not budgeted for kickbacks! please clarify.
Hope it will be executed with the same speed with which the Lahore Metro was built. The Sindh government will find a way to delay it.
Where is NS going to get 15 billion from. Brace yourselves for more money printing and more inflation. p.s. and more corruption
That is all he can do make wasteful metro projects all over the country when awam have no health facilities or schools or clean drinking water what to talk of exorbitant electricity gas and petrol! High inflation! NS lives and dreams in Never Never Land. Some one please wake him up he has all the wrong priorities.
Only 15Billion for Karachi Metro...Whereas 24 Billion for Isalamabad.. What a Shame..PM giving Peanuts to PPP govt to gain there support against PTI.
Punjab Government financed Lahore's Green Line on it's own and the half sharing in Rwp-Ish project is understandable because half of it is in federal territory. Lahore Yellow Line is a Punjab Government government-to-government financial deal with China, no federal financing. So why is Karachi receiving federal financing for their BRT project? They haven't been able to revive KCR even with guaranteed JICA funding.
Financing for this should be completely from Sindh Government and not federal. This is unfair to other provinces. Karachiites need to stop crying.
All too cosmetic. Karachi needs a powerful government, with local policing, utilities and transportation under him
12bn for Karachi metro, while over 50bn for Lahore and Pindi-Isb Metro?
Isn't this an open contradiction, as per Sohail Warriach?
WHAT A SHAME THIS COUNTRY CANT FEED ITS PEOPLE BUT HAS MONEY FOR LUXURY BUSES
WE ARE DOOMED
buy APC built in Pakistan by HIT. and give some instructions rather than just getting briefing. We know how you take them - remember the sandwich
Dear PM. Please expelled the 70 year old man from the post of CM. we dont need this guy. He is so incompetent. from last 1.5 year thye are doing operation in karachi and so far they have not acheived any results.
Karachi's status should be reverted to federal territory as in the past. The killing of junior policemen by militants of MQM and TTP should also be ruthlessly investigated. The encroachment on railways land should be taken care of immediately to revive KCR.
As long as wadera corruption party and its accomplices are ruling (looting and plundering) Karachi there will be no peace in this unfortunate looted tattered city. The only solution is to give this city in federal rule.
Welcome to Karachi sir, your interest in the matters of Karachi is highly appreciable.
Please demand corrupt Sindh govt to take action against those politicians who are forcing IGs to buy expensive armoured vehicles due to which they are resigning one by one. According to one report, some shameful politicians are forcing police to buy Serbian-made Rs6 crore armoured vehicle each instead of an Amercian one which cost just Rs3 crore
Also, the militants are brutally killing juniour police officers and the police response to these threats is highly limited. It seems there is no government in Karachi. It’s disturbing to see poor policemen being killed every day while the politicians and top police officials are busy in politics.
PM also should review the 100 of rapes cases in Punjab during last few month, still pending, no arrest, no punishment....all PMLN leaders enjoy liberty of Ministerial benefits..
in order to complete the projects, need to meet everybody and request them to support country, let the term complete and if PMLN failed to perform will be out otherwise bad for country if govt toppled and next PMLN will start the agitation and everybody knows that it would be worse for country.....