‘World-class’ uplift plan envisioned for Karachi in partnership with FWO
• CM Murad approves transformation plan for metropolis
• Announces Rs84.796bn for 523 city schemes
• Rs10.72bn allocated for six mega projects to address traffic problems
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday approved the Karachi Transformation Plan aimed at forging a partnership with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) to achieve “world-class development” in the city.
Presiding over a joint meeting of the FWO, the provincial local government department and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the chief minister discussed large-scale development initiatives for Karachi, including mega infrastructure and connectivity projects.
According to a press statement, the meeting, held at CM House, was attended by FWO Director General Major General Abdul Sami, LG Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Chief Secretary of Sindh Asif Hyder Shah, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Principal Secretary to the CM Agha Wasif, Commissioner of Karachi Hassan Naqvi, and Secretary of Finance Fayaz Jatoi.
The CM informed the meeting participants that six priority infrastructure projects worth Rs10.72 billion had been identified for immediate execution under the Karachi division to address chronic traffic congestion, improve connectivity, and strengthen urban mobility.
These priority schemes include the rehabilitation of the road from M-9 Motorway to Malir-15 via Jinnah Avenue and Sharea Faisal for Rs1.025 billion, as well as the construction of a right-turn underpass at Malir Halt from Printing Press to Sharea Faisal for Rs1.5 billion, and the construction of a flyover from Airport Road to Star Gate, Sharea Faisal, costing Rs1.2bn to improve access to airport.
Other projects include the rehabilitation of the road from Y-Junction to Machli Chowk in Hawkesbay, including a damaged section from Masroor Base to Truck Stand for Rs1.995bn, and the construction of a flyover at Sohrab Goth for Rs5bn, which serves as Karachi’s main gateway for intercity traffic.
Rs84.7bn one-time grant-in-aid for Karachi uplift proposed
At the outset, the chief minister stated that the Sindh government intends to implement a comprehensive development plan for Karachi and announced a one-time grant-in-aid of Rs84.796 billion for 523 schemes in the city.
He added that approval had been granted for Rs26.282 billion under the Federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for schemes related to Karachi.
“I want to initiate development projects in partnership with FWO to ensure quality, speed and transparency,” Murad Shah said, emphasising that all mega and significant projects must have world-class planning and design. “Karachi’s development should be at par with the world’s best cities,” he added.
Briefing the meeting, Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Shah and Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab stated that Karachi, as Pakistan’s economic hub, faces serious structural, environmental and civic challenges.
To tackle these issues, 10-12 high-visibility development schemes are being identified, with five already approved by the chief minister for early implementation.
Furthermore, a comprehensive portfolio of 523 development schemes costing Rs84.796 billion has been proposed for Karachi.
These include the rehabilitation and reconstruction of internal damaged roads across various neighbourhoods, improvements to traffic management systems, rehabilitation of connecting roads, major arteries, flyovers, parks, and the beautification of seven designated roads. The main executing agencies include KMC, KDA, Karachi Mega Schemes, and the City Government offices.
Mayor Murtaza Wahab stated that these schemes had been identified through field verification, departmental assessments, and stakeholder consultations, with the aims of easing traffic congestion, enhancing airport and intercity connectivity, strengthening logistics and industrial transport routes, and improving civic infrastructure and urban aesthetics.
The chief minister decided that the FWO engineer, along with officers from the Local Government and KMC, will collaborate to prepare and finalise the design and identify utilities that need to be shifted by the end of February, so that work can commence in March.
The CM reiterated the Sindh government’s commitment to transforming Karachi through sustainable, well-designed, and efficiently executed development projects, instructing concerned departments to proceed swiftly in coordination with the FWO and other stakeholders.
Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2026
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