By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday said being the engine of growth, uplift of the communications infrastructure and ports of Karachi was inevitable to boost exports and economic activities in the country.
Chairing a meeting to discuss the completed and ongoing development projects in Karachi, funded by the federal government, he said his government was resolved to play its full role for the development of the city and welfare of its people.
Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Haider Zaidi, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, relevant federal and provincial ministers and secretaries attended the meeting.
The prime minister instructed for a special focus on the issues related to the water filtration, sewerage and water pollution in Karachi.
He said the country’s development was linked with that of Karachi.
The prime minister was updated on the status of the development projects worth Rs162 billion announced by the federal government, the completed ones particularly those executed under public private partnership.
The meeting was told that the projects including Sakhi Hassan, Five Star and KDA Flyovers, 6.4 kilometer Nishtar Road and a portion of Manghu Pir road had been inaugurated last week.
The meeting was told that the infrastructure of Bus Rapid Transit System would be completed by March 2021. Moreover, 95 percent work on 66-inch water supply line had been completed and rest of the work would be completed by April this year. Regarding the up-gradation of Fire Fighting System of Karachi Municipal Corporation, the meeting was apprised that up to Rs1 billion had been spent so far on the project and around 50 fire tenders would be included in the fleet.
The prime minister was also briefed on the construction of flyover at Jinnah Avenue, operation of Green Line, other development projects for other areas of Sindh under prime minister’s package including water filtration plants, upgradation of Liyari Expressway and widening of Karachi Northern Bypass.
The meeting decided the restructuring and capacity building of Sindh Infrastructure Development Company to ensure the timely execution of the development projects.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that progress of the country is linked with the progress of Karachi and the city of Quaid plays a role of “engine of growth” for the country’s economy.
He said this while presiding over a meeting in Islamabad on Friday regarding completed and ongoing projects of federal government for the development of Karachi.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, concerned federal and provincial secretaries and other senior officials attended the meeting.
The prime minister said federal government is committed to play its due role in development and progress of Karachi in view of public welfare. He was also briefed about the progress on 162 billion rupees development package announced by the federal government.
PM Imran said provision of civic facilities and development in proportion with Karachi s population were ignored in past.
He said increase in exports is vital for economic development and it is necessary to improve port and transportation facilities in Karachi to achieve this objective. He said development of Karachi and the country is interlinked. He said Karachi is an engine of growth in country s economy.
He called for immediate focus to issues pertaining to clean drinking water, sewerage, and water pollution.
It was decided in the meeting to reorganize the Sindh Infrastructure Development Company and enhance its capacity to timely implementation of development projects.
A detailed briefing was also given about various projects, including construction of flyover on Jinnah Avenue, progress on Operationalization of Green Line, different development projects being completed in other parts of Sindh under Prime Minister s Package, big projects under Public Private Partnership like water filtration plants, revamping of Lyari Expressway, and extension of Karachi Northern Bypass.
The meeting was informed that Sakhi Hassan, Five Star, and KDA flyovers, 6.4 kilometer-long road and a portion of Manghopir road were inaugurated last week. It was told that infrastructure of Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System will be completed by March next year.
While, 95 percent work on water supply line with a diameter of 66 inches from Banaras to Jam Chakro has been completed and rest of the work will be accomplished by next month. Regarding upgradation of fire-fighting system of Karachi Municipal Corporation, it was told that so far over one billion rupees have been spent on this project under which fifty fire tenders will be included.
