PM announces Rs15bn for Karachi 'Green Line' bus project

E-Paper | October 01, 2026

PM announces Rs15bn for Karachi 'Green Line' bus project

Dawn.com Published July 10, 2014

KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced a package for the development of a fast and efficient metro bus system, Green Line, for Karachi during his visit to discuss issues related to security with the Sindh government.

The premier said that the federal government is aware of the transport issues faced by the financial capital.

Speaking to media representatives, the premier said the federal government was keen to revolutionise Karachi's transport system.

The prime minister also announced that the federal government would immediately release Rs15 billion for development of metro bus routes, while the remaining cost would have to be borne by the City District Government Karachi (CDGK).

PM chairs meeting on Karachi law and order

Prime Minister Sharif also chaired a meeting over Karachi's law and security situation at the official residence of Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad.

According to sources, the prime minister reprimanded ministers over the worsening law and order situation in the city.

The premier showed displeasure over the way the affairs were being run by the Sindh government.

He asked why the directive of shifting the Karachi’s anti-terrorism courts to the city’s Malir Cantonment area was not implemented.

Moreover, Prime Minister Sharif came down hard on the Sindh government and questioned why the construction of a high-security prison and purchasing of modern weapons for police had not been done.

The premier was flanked by Federal Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Central Information Secretary for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Senator Mushahidullah Khan and party member Abdul Hakim Baloch.

During the meeting, the premier was also briefed on Karachi's rapid transport plan.

The prime minister is in Karachi for a one-day visit, primarily to review the law and order situation in the city.

Earlier, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah welcomed the premier at the airport.

Soon after arriving in the city, the prime minister went to the residence of Nawab Charagh Marri and expressed condolence over the death of Baloch leader Khair Bakhsh Marri.

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Jul 10, 2014 04:03pm

Thank you thank you thank you so much. Was waiting to listen this news

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Anarchist

Jul 10, 2014 04:08pm

Here comes another huge project from PM for his cronies. More Money to be swindled. PML-N has its priorities upside down. When a huge majority of the general public does not have access to clean drinking water, electricity, quality health and education services and other basic necessities in life, PML-N is busy building either new bridges or starting Metro projects. What use when people do not have enough to make ends meet? By the way what happened to the laptop and loan schemes? Any beneficial results? And when are you going to overhaul police? What is more important having a new bridge or clean police machinery?

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C. Asif John

Jul 10, 2014 04:19pm

Dear Honorable Prime Minister Sahab, How very kind and thoughtful of you to consider the transportation issue in Karachi to be of greater magnitude as compared to the IDPs issue. When Thousands of families are stranded in heat and hunger because of your mighty decisions and Perfect strategies you chose it better to focus your funds, i'm sorry our tax money, to be spent on more Metro Buses after the obvious successes of similar in Lahore. Oye Khuda k Wastay!! ... Please bas karo! ... Jis cheez ki zada zarurat hai woh tou karo!! Tum say Allah Pak hisaab le ga!! IN SHA ALLAH!! Best Regards, Pakistani

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Iqbal

Jul 10, 2014 04:24pm

I am delighted to hear this news.

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Anonymous

Jul 10, 2014 04:29pm

Good new for KHI

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Ayaz Soomro

Jul 10, 2014 04:37pm

15 billion will be only 20% to 30% of total cost, so what kind of project will be implemented, if federal govt want tp realy help karachities , so then they should goive at least 40 bn

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Combaticus

Jul 10, 2014 04:39pm

Karachi does not need a bus system but a intercity train/tube/metro lines like other big cities like New York and London.

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Malveros

Jul 10, 2014 04:47pm

Now that the federal govt is focusing on Karachi again negative comments. Rather people should be giving a thumbs up to the PM.

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Ali Pakistani

Jul 10, 2014 04:53pm

PML-N can only focus on roads and metro bus services. Very lucrative business!

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Fawad

Jul 10, 2014 04:56pm

after green bus,CNG bus and several other projects of buses in karachi here comes another project that may full fill the need for one or two years . i dont understand why they dont focus on circular railway in karachi

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Imran Qasim

Jul 10, 2014 04:58pm

What about circular debt???????????

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Shocked as you

Jul 10, 2014 05:05pm

As much as this system swallows in corruption daily.

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Jul 10, 2014 05:05pm

Why spend on education and healthcare when we can have buses. But we can't blame them. They just don't have the capacity to think outside the box, or bus in this case.

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Fahad Hussain

Jul 10, 2014 05:10pm

The construction of bhasa dam has been stopped due to lack of resources . Poor show pmln .

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event horizon

Jul 10, 2014 05:22pm

Shame on you.

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Sultan

Jul 10, 2014 05:43pm

@Combaticus Karachi Circular Railway is being rehabed. Multiple modes of transportation work simultaneously. Bus Rapid Transit is as effective in ridership as Light Rail, and higher than monorails. Only if you could read modern transport planning literature.

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Malveros

Jul 10, 2014 05:46pm

@Ayaz Soomro: Did u forget that Metro Buses are Provincial subjects not Federal. Where is the Sind Govt's share ? Also did Sind Govt get the encroached land released to revive KCR ?

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Javed Rahman

Jul 10, 2014 05:52pm

@Anarchist Always negative comments good for nothing

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Irfan

Jul 10, 2014 06:04pm

Dear Honorable Prime Minister, First thank you for thinking this much need project for Karachi, Sindh rulers has deserted Karachi and Sindh for their own financial gain through other means.

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Lucky Star

Jul 10, 2014 06:06pm

@Anarchist Good accessible transportation is not a luxury but a necessity for students to get to schools/college/universities and for employees to get to work cheaply. Good Job Mr. Nawaz and shame on those who criticize him unnecessarily.

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Lucky Star

Jul 10, 2014 06:07pm

@C. Asif John Other projects cannot be made hostage of IDP issue.

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Lucky Star

Jul 10, 2014 06:09pm

@Ayaz Soomro Rest will be covered by CDGK.

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Lucky Star

Jul 10, 2014 06:10pm

@Combaticus Really, there are bars also in NY, may be Karachi needs that too.

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Lucky Star

Jul 10, 2014 06:12pm

@Ali Pakistani IK is busy in long marches to derail the democracy.

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MOHD

Jul 10, 2014 06:12pm

Mr. PM how many people will get jobs through this project? Only a handful. If you had invested the se amount in some industrial projects, that would have been more beneficial. People need permanent source of income. Besides, whenever there are riots and protests, you are providing more buses for people to burn.

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Jul 10, 2014 06:13pm

@Anarchist Are you ever going to happy with any thing or you mind can not think any thing positive. People need swift -fast - comfortable transportation = PM is kind to Karachi - what the MQM and PPP doing in Sind. Transportation is provincial = clean drinking water; jobs etc is province problems - don't blame Center. Don't forget to re - elect PPP - Qaim Ali Shah and MQM - and expect Center to resolve your issues - get real . Lucky that PM announce 15Bn Metro Bus service . Otherwise you should be riding donkeys.

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Lucky Star

Jul 10, 2014 06:14pm

@Shocked as you That will not be fault of Nawaz Sharif; that will be fault of Engineers and contractors involved in the project.

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Lucky Star

Jul 10, 2014 06:16pm

@GA Good transportation is a necessity evil; not everybody in Karachi can afford car or two wheeler.

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Lucky Star

Jul 10, 2014 06:17pm

@Fahad Hussain People of Karachi without cars and two wheelers deserve better.

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Awan

Jul 10, 2014 06:22pm

@Ayaz Soomro: In my view the Government of Punjab must launch a protest against this decision since Karachi is not a Federal territory and it is a part of Sindh then why Federal government is giving such a huge amount?. Punjab is completing the projects from its own kitty. Lahore metro was completed during the PPPP's time and Federal government did not invested anything in it. Why Sindh government is not completing any project from its own budget like Punjab government is doing. Similarly Lahore metro is provincial government deal with China and for Pindi-Isl metro as well Federal government is only financing the Islamabad part.

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James

Jul 10, 2014 06:34pm

And what about the Transport Mafia ? I remember there were few other bus project launched during Musharraf's but eventually all were burnt on the road so the Mafia has total control of traffic with their own buses and these people never pay taxes nor follow rules of fare. Unless there is strict control on road transportation by Authority.. I foresee more resources will be destroyed before it hit the road.

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Aftab Alam Khan

Jul 10, 2014 06:55pm

Yes there are other core issues i.e soaring prices of cost of living,provision of fresh drinking water. increasing load shedding and rehabilitation of IDPs warranting an immediate action to be taken to bring peace in the country especially in financial capital. While PM took initiative to solve the ever increasing transport problem in the city we hope that that these issues will get his attention too. It is correct that poor people stomach must be full enough to run and catch the bus.

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Khan

Jul 10, 2014 07:15pm

Thank you for the generous offer, the real solution to Karachi miseries are hiring of educated local youth in police mean local police, fair share in the revenue which Karachi generates and taken away by Sindh and federal govt., local body system and lastly accept the right of people of Karachi to rule Karachi just like Gen. Pervez Musharraf did due to which unprecedented development work happens. Cosmetic efforts will not solve the real problem

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imran ali

Jul 10, 2014 07:27pm

useless project...need underground metro

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Dystopia

Jul 10, 2014 07:28pm

Doesn't matter. They'll still keep the masses uneducated.

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Mahmood

Jul 10, 2014 07:39pm

Stupid idea to invest in bus system. Wastage of money. What Karachi needs is train system like other major cities world wide.

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Qamar

Jul 10, 2014 07:40pm

Haha...PM thinks throwing money on mega projects will take care of all our problems!!! What about law & order, safety of citizens, corruption in provincial government??? BTW, 14 billion out of this 15 billion will end up in politicians' pockets.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jul 10, 2014 07:50pm

May I ask the source of these funds please?

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AJamal

Jul 10, 2014 08:14pm

What the heck. Why circular railway rehab is not starting even after 20 years for which full funding is available from JICA?? Bus project will go waste like previous green buses of city government.

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Najia

Jul 10, 2014 09:21pm

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Jul 10, 2014 09:44pm

So, the PM comes and announces a donation (as if out of his pocket) of Rs. 15 Bln. for a Green Line Bus service for Karachi. I hope, that some homework was done or will be done before taking snappy decisions. Pl. do not Import more Dawoo or some other new buses. Find some local solution. Buses have been imported many times, before and then junked.

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Mac Engineer

Jul 10, 2014 09:57pm

So Mr. Prime Minister moved metro train project of Rs100 Billion to Lahore and bestowed us with this metro bus project of Rs15 Billion. Thank you so much Mr. Prime Minister for coming through what you promised during campaign, and during first address to the nation too.

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Parvez

Jul 10, 2014 09:58pm

His thought process starts and ends with anything that has colors ...........SAD.

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ILLAHI Bux

Jul 10, 2014 10:04pm

Great News for people of Karachi. Thanks our PM Take such great decision for people of Karachi.we hope Sindh Government will utilized right fund.

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Laeeq

Jul 10, 2014 10:06pm

They don't have any other ideas. They only know to make roads and bridges.

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Jul 10, 2014 10:07pm

Doesn't the Islamabad metro bus cost around Rs44 billion? And only 15 billion for Karachi? Okay.

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iftikhar

Jul 10, 2014 10:39pm

This money is wasted, pm should focus on problems in lahore. There are many places where this money should have been better spent, like punjab police, social welfare programs.

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Feroze Khan

Jul 10, 2014 10:44pm

I must say when it comes to 'facial make up', no one can beat Sharifs. Rs. 15 billions for Green Line Bus but 18-20 hours load shedding, $ billions loan from IMF makes no difference. In Lahore Bus Line is referred as 'Jungla' Bus. Who is going to get contract for Jungla iron bars ? Mr. Mamnoon Hussain will call the shots. Don't forget the supremo of London, make sure he gets his share too otherwise get ready for another strike & shut down of Karachi.

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Ali Khan

Jul 10, 2014 10:45pm

Thank you, Prime minister Nawaz Sharif, You should also focus on Sukkur,Larkana and other cities of sindh,you are doing nice efforts to make Pakistan An Asian Tiger,This is why Punjab's economy is growing faster than Sindh,we want to see privatization of SEPCO sukkur where only workers of peoples party have been appointed.

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MD sirtaz

Jul 10, 2014 11:02pm

in India there are total 9 cities where metro trains run... and another 32 cities which are under construction ..(will be completed on or before 2019) --- 3 cities where mono rail runs.... and another 18 cities which are under construction.. --- 12 cities where metro bus service runs... and another 42 cities which are in under construction... --- (just "google it rapid transit in india" for more details.) -- now they are constructing tracks for bullet train... and also increasing there train speed....!! ( this is the main reason whole world likes India...and millions of tourist visit there...!! we are always lagging behind...we are busy in making nuclear weapons.. i m ashamed to be Pakistani....!!

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Aamir Nawaid

Jul 10, 2014 11:26pm

Please use this money for IDPs and Balochistan. Our Baloch and tribal brothers need it more than us in Karachi. We need peace in Karachi and then you will see that Karachiites cannot only build our own city but also develop the rest of our beloved Pakistan.

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Anarchist

Jul 10, 2014 11:27pm

@w. If stating facts is regarded as 'negative', then I am negative. By the way riding donkeys is not that bad. You should give it a try.

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Aamir Nawaid

Jul 10, 2014 11:28pm

@Combaticus You are absolutely right. I hope the people at the helm of affairs could listen to sane voices like yours my friend.

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Ammar

Jul 10, 2014 11:28pm

Indeed, great news. Can somebody tell PM / CM that I pay around Rs. 5,000/ a month for water to bath and Rs. 90 per day for drinking water. I need water more than Metro Bus.

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Syed Ahmed

Jul 10, 2014 11:31pm

The poor in Karachi needs green bus or complete peace, a house to live, drinking water, electricity and gas at affordable price.

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Md Imran

Jul 11, 2014 12:03am

The best Prime Minister this country has ever seen. Nawaz Sharrif is arguably the most hardworking and sincere politician in the world.

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Harmony

Jul 11, 2014 12:04am

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad - you may not.

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Sultan

Jul 11, 2014 12:14am

@Ammar Not mentioned here but he announced Rs 13 Bn of federal financing for Karachi's water needs too (the project that Sindh said had been cut out of the PSDP).

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A shah

Jul 11, 2014 02:55am

Great let's polish our begging bowls and get our there to the US and china

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Ahmad Ali Rafi Ahmad

Jul 11, 2014 03:21am

At last the Shareef brother thought of doing something for the big city but I'm quite sure that looters will swallow all the money granted to Karachi, I'm sure you all know who the looters are! Mustafa Kamal was a super hero and all the development was done during his tenure, I wish he was there for the execution of the project in a wisely way...

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AJKhan (Bannu, KPK)

Jul 11, 2014 03:24am

A question must be asked to our Sindhi brothers - What did Zardari do for Sindh , he ruled Pakistan for 5 years, what project he ever completed ? Yet Sindhis keep on electing PPP !!!

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Lucky Star

Jul 11, 2014 04:30am

@Laeeq: Good roads and bridges are needed for steady flow of transportation of commuters and goods to have access to markets.

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Anjum Arshi

Jul 11, 2014 04:40am

@Anarchist: I fully agree. Transport is not a problem in Karachi. There are Ching chis in abundance everywhere. To travel to office or workplace takes only a couple of hours. Traffic is usually smooth and rush hours are limited to about eight per day. I think PM should focus on more acute problems of Sindh government Waderas, such as lack of property in Dubai, few opportunities to spend summers in Europe and increasing hurdles in foreign travel.

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Saleem Soomro

Jul 11, 2014 05:54am

This is wonderful. I wish Nawash Sharif finishes his term. He should Also annound good transportation service In Hyderabad, Questta, Peshawar, etc

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Syed Saulat Shere

Jul 11, 2014 06:01am

What is needed for Karachi is the revival/expansion of the Karachi Circular Railway System. Trains are always more efficient transportation system than busses. His priorities are screwed up.

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