SC orders revival of KCR, tram service in Karachi

E-Paper | July 12, 2026

KARACHI: Justice Gulzar Ahmed of the Supreme Court on Saturday issued directions for removal of encroachments from railway lines as well as to clear the land of Pakistan Railways (PR) through deputy commissioners concerned.

Justice Ahmed, who was chairing a meeting at the apex court’s Karachi registry, also asked the authorities concerned for revival of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and a tram service.

The SC judge directed the DCs to remove encroachments to clear the route of the KCR as well as the land in their respective areas after the divisional superintendent of PR said that most of its land was encroached upon.

Justice Ahmed also directed local administration, cantonment boards and other authorities concerned to also remove the encroachments from Sharea Faisal and other parts of the provincial metropolis.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2018

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Syed Shah

Nov 18, 2018 09:45am

Hard to believe that tram services where operating in Karachi for 90 years and now we don't see any. It's about time to revive this system along with the kcr to reduce the traffic burdin, and bring back the past glory of this beautiful city.

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SHAHID SATTAR

Nov 18, 2018 10:41am

Please find out first the ground realities before ordering for achieving the impossible tasks. You will be gone by the time the present encroachers are removed. There will be others on the waiting lists of the powerfuls and mighty to capture the land freed. The circular railway planned in the 1960's will now not possible to put into operation. But there are other ways for solving the problems of the citizens of this city as far as transport is concerned. Let experts ponder over the same and decide what is to be done to resolve this major issue.

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Umar

Nov 18, 2018 11:20am

Excellent

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superhero

Nov 18, 2018 11:48am

SC is acting / working / performing better than government Uturns.

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Yousuf47 London

Nov 18, 2018 11:58am

Wow - the revival of tram service will restore the status of the City of Karachi as it once was and with it reduce pollution in the areas of town dominated by old and tired diesel driven vehicles. The people of Karachi and those who previously belonged here will have a lot to thank the Chief Justice.

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Pakistan First

Nov 18, 2018 01:41pm

Tram Service would be great for Karachi. Memory of childhood. I could still remember traveling on Trams from Saddar Empress Market to Cantt Station.

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Saif Zulfiqar

Nov 18, 2018 02:07pm

Circular railway yes. No more trams.

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SSR

Nov 18, 2018 02:56pm

Now it is asking for the impossible!

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abby

Nov 18, 2018 06:09pm

A modern electric trams for Karachi is a need for Karachi city. polluted Riksaws and other transports should prohibit.

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Ahsan Gul

Nov 18, 2018 07:32pm

Good move. Let this circular train restart and provide services to our citizens.

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Magnanimous approach

Nov 18, 2018 09:57pm

Revival of Circular Railway is OK. But Tram Service need to be revived above road platform, hanging trams. Many cities have such system.

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Azhar

Nov 18, 2018 10:45pm

Trams??? In era of high speed metro trains who travels in outdated obsolete trams? Why don't build a good metro train system to reduce traffic and increase connectivity?

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Philosopher (From Japan)

Nov 18, 2018 11:37pm

@abby, and who gonna provide electricity for that?

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Rohail

Nov 19, 2018 12:31am

@Azhar, High speed within city? Impossible.

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Nov 19, 2018 03:35am

Not clear if electric tram or diesel tram once operated by in karachi?

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M.Mudassir Siddiqui

Nov 19, 2018 10:00am

great! death of Transport Mafia

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khanm

Nov 19, 2018 11:51am

I think in a city like Karachi they should promote the concept of the park and ride the trains in order to reduce the traffic in the main downtown areas...

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Parvez

Nov 19, 2018 11:56am

KCR makes sense ...... today the tram system is utter hair brained thinking.

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