KARACHI: Sindh Information and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced efforts to complete the Jam Sadiq Bridge eight months before its scheduled completion date of December 2025. Speaking at a lunch hosted by Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), a press release said.
KATI President Junaid Naqi, Deputy General Sponsor Zubair Chhaya, KITE Limited CEO Zahid Saeed, Senior Vice President Ijaz Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Syed Tariq Hussain, Presidents and Past Presidents Danish Khan, Ehtishamuddin, Sheikh Fazlul Jalil and others. The ceremony was attended by a large number of members and the media.
Memon highlighted important development projects in Karachi. He revealed that Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will inaugurate the Malir Expressway within two days, while electric taxis will soon be introduced in the city.
The Minister lauded the significant contribution of Korangi Industrial Estate to exports and assured industrialists that KATI’s representation and suggestions in the Yellow Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project meetings would be implemented. He stressed the Sindh government’s awareness of the need for new economic and industrial zones in Karachi, noting that industrialization was vital to reduce unemployment and improve the economy.
Memon also noted that the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party, including Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and President Bilawal Bhutto, fully supports industrialization. He pledged to personally request the allocation of land for new industrial zones. He informed the audience that the PPP government has started the third phase of Nouriabad Industrial Zone and is actively working on establishing new zones, including Dhabiji Economic Zone. Memon highlighted the strategic importance of Dabiji as a region linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and urged industrialists to invest in it, as it offers duty exemptions on machinery imports and tax exemption for 10 years.
He also announced plans to introduce double-decker buses in Karachi by the end of the year and emphasized Pakistan’s pioneering role in launching pink buses exclusively for women, which even some developed countries lack.
Memon lauded the progress witnessed in transportation in Karachi, including the introduction of electric buses and the Yellow Line project, describing them as gifts to the city’s residents.
The Minister pointed out the importance of resolving issues related to infrastructure outage fees. He stated that the Sindh High Court ruled in favor of the Sindh government, but an amount of PKR 190 billion remained unpaid. He urged the business community to withdraw pending cases so that the funds could be used to improve infrastructure. He added that inflation has led to a doubling of the cost of road construction, which means that delays will lead to a decrease in project outputs.
KATI Chairman Junaid Naqi appreciated the transportation initiatives taken by the Sindh government, including electric buses and the Malir Expressway, but highlighted pressing concerns in Korangi. He called for immediate upgrades to the EBM bridge, which was not designed for heavy vehicles. Without these improvements, traffic problems in Korangi may worsen, he warned. Al-Naqi also urged a ban on old vehicles that do not comply with fitness standards, citing their role in pollution and traffic congestion.
Deputy Patron General Zubair Chhaya discussed critical issues, including Karachi’s lack of electricity, gas, water, sewerage systems and public transport infrastructure. He praised the improvements in law and order, but stressed the need to address increasing street crime. Chhaya noted that sewerage problems were particularly acute in industrial areas and suggested building a flyover on the busy 2.9 km stretch from Quaidabad to Pump House to ease traffic pressure.
Chaya expressed his disappointment at KATI’s exclusion from recent Yellow Line project meetings, despite being a key stakeholder. He said the city’s pollution problem is often unfairly blamed on industries, which contribute only 20% of emissions, while 80% comes from old vehicles and poor transportation systems. He called for a complete ban on smoke-emitting vehicles.
Moreover, Xia highlighted the challenges faced by industrialists due to jurisdictional disputes between municipal authorities. Industrialists are often penalized for allocating green belts or parking spaces outside their units under federal laws, as local municipal bodies claim land use rights. He urged the federal and provincial governments to ensure fair treatment of Karachi, which he said is constantly being ignored.
Zahid Saeed, CEO, KITE Limited, stressed the need to repair roads and improve infrastructure in Karachi. He pointed out that while other cities have dedicated transportation systems for industrial areas, Karachi relies on public transportation for industrial transportation. He noted that KITE had received a grant worth PKR 1.05 billion from the Sindh government, which was used to deliver projects of international standards worth PKR 1.35 billion. Saeed praised Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for supporting industrial development but expressed concern over the delay in approving additional grants.
Saeed Sharjeel appealed to Memon for help in securing more grants for industrial infrastructure and assured the business community that the minister would extend his full support.
