KARACHI, Jan 30: Sindh Home Minister, Rauf Siddiqui has said that the Karachi Mass Transit Project (KMTP) will be completed by 2007. He said there was a dire need to improve the transportation system in the metropolitan on a priority basis as 40-50 year old buses are still plying on the roads.

Addressing the 20th anniversary of Hinopak Motors Ltd. (HML) on Saturday, he also assured of early resumption of urban transport scheme (UTS). It may be mentioned here that the local bus makers are facing problems due to slowdown in sales and production of buses owing to suspension of UTS. Investors have become reluctant to place orders for new buses with the local assemblers after finding their operations unfeasible due to rising diesel prices and cost of other inputs.

He said the city needs 8,000 buses in the next four to five years to solve the difficulties faced by the commuters.

Addressing the ceremony Consul General of Japan, Shoichi Nakana said that the Japanese government has supported investments in Pakistan over the years and has offered numerous opportunities through its economic aid package.

Chairman HML, Kunwar Idris, said that the local industry had the capacity to meet the growing needs of urban transport and urged the home minister to expedite an effective revival of the UTS with induction of new and environment friendly buses to take advantage of the local capabilities.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HML, K. Maeda said Hinopak holds 60 per cent market share in medium and large trucks and buses.

Director Sales and Marketing, Irfan Shaikh said that the company had launched three new models of buses and it intends to maintain its role as a leading manufacturer of trucks and buses.