March 18, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 9, 1429

KARACHI, March 17: On the directives of the city nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, the city government has started work on the construction of big department and super stores in various city government markets, at intercity bus terminals, cinema halls and at other places.

The project is being launched under the city nazim’s public-private partnership policy. Under the project, the city government with the private sector’s investment will establish modern department and super stores in markets under its control so that people can buy all the essential commodities under one roof.

Initially, these stores will be established in CDGK’s markets on Clayton Road, Guru Mandir, Soldier Bazaar, Soldier Bazaar No 3 and Wadhumal Odharam Market Haqqani Chowk as joint ventures. In this regard, the enterprise and investment promotion department has invited technical and financial offers by April 4, 2008 from the private sector companies showing interest in setting up such stores in coordination with the city government.

In the transport sector, the city government has decided to establish bus terminals for intercity buses at suitable points in the city so that traffic pressure within the metropolis can be reduced.

These bus terminals will be constructed in Deh Bhatti Amri, Scheme-33 and Super Highway for which the E&IP department of the city government has invited offers from interested firms on a joint venture or on a public-private partnership basis.

The city government has also prepared many schemes in order to provide increased recreational facilities and to overcome a shortage of cinema halls. In this regard, the city government has invited offers till April 9.