KARACHI: Interim Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar has said that the economic benefits of the Karachi Circular Railway would extend beyond Karachi and bolster commerce and industry.

The chief minister presented the CPEC-initiative KCR in the 3rd Belt and Road Forum in China, and said that the KCR was not simply about laying tracks and building stations, but also about fostering connectivity and economic vitality to open doors to greater trade, bolstering commerce and industry, and creating job opportunities. “Thus economic benefits would extend beyond Karachi, reaching the heartlands of Pakistan,” he added.

A CM House spokesman said that Member of the political bureau of Communist Party of China’s central committee and Vice Premier of the State Council of China Zhang Guoqing, former president of Montenegro Filip Vujanovic, former deputy prime minister of Thailand Korn Dabbaransi and others also spoke at the forum held at the National Convention Centre, Beijing.

At the outset, Justice Baqar thanked President of China Mr Xi Jinping for convening an important gathering and providing them with a remarkable platform.

He said that `The Belt and Road Cooperation’ was a vast and thoughtful endeavor that altered the way nations communicate, trade and collaborate with each other, reflecting China’s leadership and commitment to inclusive development of cities in collaboration with the states of Asia, Europe, and African continents.

The interim CM said that the Belt and Road Cooperation sought to promote infrastructure development, unimpeded trade, people-to-people bonds, economic growth, regional integration, cultural interchange and environmental sustainability around the world for better living standards for privileged and underprivileged people, especially in cities of the developing world.

The chief minister told the forum that the KCR was the cornerstone of our vision for modernising Karachi’s transportation network.

“This extensive railway network represented an estimated investment of $2 billion, underscoring its scale and significance in enhancing urban mobility and driving economic growth,” he added.

Justice Baqar said that the KCR, with its 43-kilometre stretch, was designed to connect key areas within the city as well as to integrate it with the city’s BRTs, thus providing a sustainable, reliable and efficient mode of transportation to commuters.

“This circular railway will play a crucial role in facilitating the movement of people and goods, reducing traffic congestion and enhancing productivity, ultimately improving the overall quality of life for the residents of Karachi,” he added.

The CM said: “KCR’s viability speaks for itself -- the project is anticipated to serve a ridership of approximately 650,000 passengers per day which underscores the high demand for a reliable public transportation system and emphasises the vital role this railway will play in addressing the city’s mobility needs.”

He said that leveraging China’s expertise and experience in infrastructure development, this collaborative effort was poised for success. “The partnership between our nations is a beacon of hope and progress, showcasing how collaboration and shared vision can drive mutual growth and prosperity,” he added.

The chief minister said that the provincial government was committed to ensuring the seamless execution of this project, adhering to the highest standards of safety, efficiency and sustainability. “Our goal is to create a model urban railway system that embodies innovation and progress,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2023