PM Imran Announces Rs1.1 Trillion Package for Karachi

 

KARACHI:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday announced an Rs1.1 trillion package for the development of Karachi under the city’s transformation plan, as many parts of the city are still reeling from damages caused by the deluge.

Soon after his arrival, the prime minister met Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and chaired a meeting of the Karachi Committee.

Flanked by the provincial governor and the chief minister while addressing the media, the premier said the federal and Sindh governments had decided to deal with the metropolis’ issues “together”. He further said that all of Karachi’s issues – which include water supply, drainage, sewage, public transport and solid waste disposal – would be addressed at once.

“I would have visited sooner but we had to make a structure,” said the prime minister while adding that the city’s transformation plan will be implemented through the Provincial Coordination Implementation Committee (PCIC) chaired by the chief minister.

He further said that all stakeholders will be involved in its implementation and the Army will “play a big role”, noting that the armed forces help the civilian administration whenever there is a calamity.

Terming the package for the city “historic”, Imran said both the federal and provincial governments will contribute to the Rs1.1 trillion package.

"We are trying to resolve the issues. I assure the citizens of Karachi that their water issue will be resolved in the coming three years," Imran Khan said.

"There is severe encroachment on drains which has created a catastrophic situation during recent rains in the city. We will initiate a drive to demolish illegal structures on nullahs. The homeless people will be compensated by the provincial government," said the premier.

The prime minister added that the plan would also focus on Karachi’s sewerage system and solid waste disposal. “We will make a proper system.”

In reference to the dismal state of public transport in the city, the premier assured that the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) will be completed and work would also be done on roads and BRT, among other lines.

“We have decided to completely solve the issue of transportation and roads.”

After addressing the media, Imran met a delegation of the city's businessmen.

During his visit, the prime minister met Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. He is also expected to meet members of the provincial assembly and notable businessmen of the city, according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

وزیر اعظم عمران خان کراچی کے لیے اسلام آباد سے روانہ۔

کراچی میں گورنر سندھ، وزیر اعلی، اراکین صوبائی اسمبلی اور کاروباری شخصیات وزیر اعظم سے ملاقات کریں گے۔ کراچی کی حالیہ صورتحال کے حوالے سے بریفنگ بھی مصروفیات کا حصہ۔#KarachiVisionByPMIK pic.twitter.com/p3B3hN8Wb0

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) September 5, 2020

The premier arrived earlier today and is accompanied by federal ministers, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) officials and other party leaders. The premier also met Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah during his visit.

Earlier, it was reported that 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 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 ruling party in Sindh, had demanded of the federal government to provide the necessary funds to the provincial government to deal with the damages caused by heavy floods.

Published in The Urdu Tribune, September 5th 2020.