‘PM Nawaz will soon announce a special development package for Karachi’

Mohammad Zubair says work on remaining portion of Lyari Expressway to be expedited after removal of illegal settlements; inaugurates Abdul Sattar Edhi Interchange in Nazimabad

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will soon announce a special development package for Karachi as the people of this metropolitan city that serves as an economic lifeline of the country have a right to get the best public transportation facilities, Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair said on Monday after he visited the under-construction portion of the Lyari Expressway’s North-bound track.

The governor said the Lyari Expressway (LEW) would be fully completed by October this year with construction of its leftover portion of the North-bound track.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor said the removal of illegal settlements from the 1.4-kilometre-long portion of LEW’s North-bound track was a much-awaited move as the unlawful construction had been impeding completion of the track since long.

Officials of the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) also brief the governor on the construction process. They told the governor that the administrations of Central and West districts had extended cooperation for removal of illegal settlements along the project’s leftover route.

The governor said completion of the North-bound track would resolve issues of traffic congestion and gridlocks in the city.

He said the LEW would provide an alternate and speedy passage for motorists as citizens would be able to save both time and fuel while using this route.

Zubair said completion of three all federally funded projects – the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System project, the Lyari Expressway, and the M-9 motorway between Karachi and Hyderabad – would provide modern and swift transportation facilities to residents of Karachi.

He said the FWO and the National Highway Authority had used their expertise in the best manner for completion of the LEW project and that the federal and Sindh governments were partners with each other for completion of the K-IV water supply project and the LEW.

Edhi Interchange 

APP adds: Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair has inaugurated the federal government funded ‘Abdul Sattar Edhi Interchange’ which is an integral component of the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System project, said a statement on Monday.

The interchange has been built near the Matric Board Office, Nazimabad area.   

Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhter, Pak Sarzameen Party Chairman Mustafa Kamal, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Hafiz Naimur Rehman and office-bearers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the citizens, the Sindh governor said the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System project would provide cost-effective, comfortable and efficient transportation to the local commuters.

Assuring that the project will be completed within the stipulated time, he said work was being carried out round the clock with the motive to ensure reduction in the growing traffic pressure on city roads.

Mentioning that the interchange was being completed with the funding provided by the federal government, the governor said attention was also being paid to remove the potential hurdles that could delay the task in any manner.

He said the two-way Abdul Sattar Edhi Interchange would facilitate easy traffic flow at one of the most congested sites and also streamline the road infrastructure development under the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System project.

"Dedicating the interchange to Abdul Sttar Edhi is a way to pay tribute to the internationally acclaimed philanthropist who dedicated his life to serve humanity without any discrimination," he said.

The governor said Karachi being the economic lifeline of the country had to be a peaceful city with all civic amenities easily available to its inhabitants.

Economic, financial, business and social activities in Karachi held a direct impact on national progress and prosperity, he added.

Zubair said the presence of workers and leaders of different political parties at the inaugural ceremony established the fact that Karachi was owned by all.

Since the restoration of peace and improved law and order in the metropolis, he said, the federal government was focusing on provision of clean water to people across Karachi.

"Equal attention is also being paid to provide efficient transportation system, health care, education and updated infrastructure," the governor said.