PM Imran Khan approves Rs162 billion for 'Karachi Master Plan 2047'

PM Khan has also gave go-ahead for establishing a university in Hyderabad on April 5.

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Saturday announced “Karachi Master Plan 2047” and approved Rs162 billion for development and prosperity of the metropolis, and under the plan, 18 projects including sewerage, mass transit will be initiated.

The PM also gave go-ahead for establishing a university in Hyderabad on April 5.

He addressed the Karachi Transformation Committee in Karachi where he asserted that the country could not prosper until the city of Karachi was development.

“Due to hindrances in the development of Karachi, the entire state had suffered,” he said while criticising the ruling provincial government of Sindh that it was their responsibility to fix the situation in Karachi.

For resolving transport issues of the metropolis, the PM announced 10 of the total 18 projects for improving public transport and seven for water.

"We are well aware of the issues pertaining to the availability of potable water in the region,” he said, adding that water ‘conservation’ campaign was needed to save water.

“This campaign was never started in the country,” he said. The PM Khan further approved Rs1 billion for the construction of Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants in Tharparkar.

Earlier, the newly formed Karachi Transformation Committee, under the stewardship of Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, formulated and presented the package to the PM.

The package comprised Rs8 billion to finish the Green Line BRT project and opening of the Lyari Expressway for heavy traffic and Rs2 billion to improve its dual carriageway.

Besides, the federal government will be funding a treatment plant for sewage water in Orangi Town and 50% of the K-IV project.

Later, the premier will address a public gathering in Ghotki. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid and other ministers will accompany the premier.

The PM will also meet leaders of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA).

On Friday, PM Khan landed at the old terminal of the Quaid-i-Azam International Airport evening after wrapping up a daylong visit of Balochistan. He was welcomed by Sindh Governor Imran Ismail at the airport.

They held a meeting at Governor House where a a delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) MQM-P was also present.

The MQM delegation comprising of Dr Khalid Maqbool, Amir Khan, Nasreen Jalil, Kunwar Naveed, Faisal Sabzwari and Waseem Akhtar expressed reservations over certain pending projects in the metropolis.

The PM assured the MQM leaders that their concerns would be addressed on the priority basis, and all commitments made with the general public of Karachi would be fulfilled.

Governor Ismail was told to ensure that development projects in Karachi are completed as soon as possible. The governor was also told to conduct a joint meeting with representatives of the MQM-P.

The participants in the meeting reiterated timely completion of the Green Line Project for the betterment of mass transit system. The governor ordered completion of federal government-funded development projects in the city by September.

An establishment of a housing scheme in Karachi also came into discussion. Governor Ismail was told to ensure that development projects in Karachi are completed as soon as possible.

Moreover, PM Khan will today in Lahore inaugurate VIP Train ’Jinnah Express’ – a new Non-Stop VIP train that will run from Lahore Cantt to Karachi Cantt and vice versa.

For this purpose, the Pakistan Railways has already completed all arrangements for the inauguration of a new Non-Stop luxurious train.

The PM inaugurates Bagh Ibne Qasim

Later, the prime minister also inaugurated Bagh Ibne Qasim in Clifton area of Karachi where he regretted that Karachi had become a "concrete slab" while stressing on the significance of planting trees and "saving green areas."

While asserting that the government wanted to preserve greenery for future generations of the country, the premier said it has been decided to encourage more vertical buildings in the country for saving green areas.

The premier pointed out that Pakistan was among the top 10 countries that were most vulnerable to climate change. "Our coming generations will never forgive us if we don’t save our green areas," he said.

He said the target of 10 billion trees in next five years will also include planting more trees in Karachi and other cities of Sindh.

The premier also commended Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar for "building and preserving" the park.

Visit to Gwadar Port

Yesterday, the prime minister visited Quetta where he performed the groundbreaking of the new Balochistan Health Complex. He also visited Gwadar, where he laid the foundation stone for a new international airport and addressed the closing ceremony of an expo taking place in the city.

The Gwadar International Airport will be constructed with the latest equipments and modern facilities and is expected to be one of the country’s largest airports.