PM Imran Khan announces a massive US$6.6 billion (Rs1.1 trillion) transformation package for Karachi

[Abdullah719]

Asad asks Sindh govt to use Rs700bn allocated for Karachi

KARACHI: Federal Min*i*ster for Planning, Develop*ment, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Saturday said the provincial government should utilise Rs700 billion that has been allocated in its budget for the projects in Sindh’s capital.

He said this while talking to journalists after unveiling the plaque for the grou*nd*breaking ceremony of BRT Common Corridor from Taj Medical Complex to Mun*icipal Park along M.A. Jinnah Road. The project is estimated to be completed by March 2022 at a cost of Rs2.26 billion. He along with Sindh Governor Imran Ismail also unveiled the pla*que to commemorate the ope*ning of Grade Works of BRT Common Corridor und*erground facilities at Numa*ish on M.A. Jinnah Road.

The minister said the Green Line project would be a milestone for a modern transport system in Karachi and the Green Line project was likely to be completed by the middle of next year. “People will be witnessing the Green Line on the roads in the middle of 2021,” he said.

He appreciated Sindh Infrastructure Development Company Limited (SIDCL) and Planning Development and Special Initiatives Division for the hard work and dedication in the execution of the Green Line project.

About the Karachi Transformation Plan, Mr Umar announced that good progress had been made on all its projects for which the federal government was responsible and speedy work was under way on the K-IV project and two projects of railways, Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and freight corridor from Karachi Port to Pipri, while the Green Line project was in the last phase of its implementation.

He said encroachment on storm-water drains were being removed to permanently solve the issue of rainwater. For this, he said, the Sindh government had started work from the Mehmoodabad area of Karachi. He said as soon as the encroachments were removed from the nullahs, the federal government would launch work on the project.

On the occasion, Governor Imran Ismail said the first mass transit project of Sindh would be inaugurated between July and September 2021 and Prime Minister Imran Khan was expected to perform its inauguration.

About the projects, he said the Grade Works of BRT Common Corridor Underground facilities at Numaish and groundbreaking of BRT Common Corridor from Taj Medical Complex to Municipal Park were part of the Rs1.1trillion Karachi Transformation Plan.

About K-IV water project, the governor said it was handed over to Wapda. He said Wapda would present its report to the prime minister.

He explained that the process to hire a consultant on the K-IV project had been completed.

Mr Ismail said the K-IV would be a big water supply project that would help cater the water requirement of Karachi.

He said he wanted to inform the people of Karachi that Mr Khan was worried about the people of Karachi. He was taking keen interest in the development works of the city. He said Mr Khan regularly sent Minister Umar to Karachi to review the progress of ongoing development works.

He then congratulated the SIDCL for its efforts and devotion shown in the execution of the development works. He said the element of transparency was being maintained in all the projects.

He said he was very thankful to Mr Khan and Mr Umar for taking personal interest in Karachi’s development.

In reply to a question, Mr Umar said that no ‘practical development’ work had been done in Karachi in the past. Currently, he added, work was under way on K-IV, KCR, cleaning of nullahs, and other projects.

He told another questioner that KCR was a modern transport project of Rs300 billion.

The federal minister responding to yet another question said around Rs200bn, including Rs65bn in Sindh, were being distributed among the needy, poor and deserving people through Ehsaas Programme.

About the twin islands of Sindh, Bundoo and Bundal, Mr Umar said the matter was being discussed with the provincial government. He explained that development work on the islands would benefit people of Sindh.

Completed at the cost of Rs425 million in around two years, the Grade Road Works of BRT Common Corridor Underground facilities at Numaish comprise three lanes in each direction, including service and link roads, footpaths, light poles, decorative poles, median fence and horticulture belts.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1591667/asad-asks-sindh-govt-to-use-rs700bn-allocated-for-karachi

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Imran Khan's 'gift' for Karachi will arrive in the city on January 5, said sources.

Sources confirmed to Geo News that 50 fire tenders and two water bowsers will arrive at the Karachi port on January 5, adding that the Sindh Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (SIDCL) had received advance notice of their arrival.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit Karachi briefly in the second or third week of January. During the occasion of the premier's visit, the fire tenders will be handed over to the Sindh government, confirmed sources.

The 50 fire tenders were dispatched from China for Karachi on December 20, 2020. Currently, the port city has 44 fire tenders out of which only 14 function.

Ali Zaidi reveals PM Imran Khan's 'gift' for Karachi
Earlier, Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi had said that the fire tenders and water bowsers were PM Imran Khan's "gift" for Karachi.

Taking to Twitter, the minister had announced that 50 state-of-the-art fire tenders with the capacity to hold 7,000 litres of water and two fire bowsers are on their way to Karachi.

He had thanked the prime minister for approving the vehicles for the city.

"50 State of the Art Fire Tenders of 7000 liters of water & foam capacity + 2 Water Bowsers loaded on a ship & on their way to KHI. Thank You PM [MENTION=5335]imrankhan[/MENTION]PTI for this gift to KHI!" he tweeted.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"A 2018 study conducted by the World Bank, titled 'Transforming Karachi into a Livable and Competitive Megacity: A City Diagnostic and Transformation Strategy' states that every day, an estimated 45 people compete for a single seat on a bus in the city." <br><br>Alarming. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karachi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karachi</a></p>— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) <a href="https://twitter.com/shoaib100mph/status/1373205776781676553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Bewal Express]

If Karachi had even a half decent local govt, the PK GDP would get annual boost of around 0.5%. The PPP really are evil.

 

[Slog]

If Karachi had even a half decent local govt, the PK GDP would get annual boost of around 0.5%. The PPP really are evil.

The PTI government was voted in by us to solve this. Imran khan said he will fix the issues by using federal powers even if he doesn’t win the province. It was the Karachi seats which got him over the line to become PM. Disappointed that all he’s done so far is just make statements, dial back on promises and announced programs which have not seen an inch of progress

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1614097/deadlines-set-for-karachi-mega-transport-projects

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Monday set deadlines to put into operation two mega transport projects in Karachi — the Rs300 billion Karachi Circular Railway and Rs25bn Green Line Bus Rapid Transport — later this year.

The ministry in a statement said that the deadline for signing of first package (A) of the Integrated Transport System (ITS) contract has been set as March 26, followed by package B contract signing on April 2. The deadline for award of operational and maintenance contract for the project would be given by May this year.

While presiding over a meeting of all the stakeholders — Ministry of Railways, Sindh Infrastructure Development Company Limited (SIDCL) and Public-Private Partnership Authority (P3A) — the minister confirmed that the prototype buses would be ready for testing and commissioning by April 25.

While reviewing the KCR Freight Corridor project, the minister directed the Ministry of Railways, SIDCL, and P3A to finalise the Tripartite Agreement to determine the scope of work reflecting the role of each party in the mutually agreed projects to be initiated in Public Private Partnership/Build-Operate and Transfer modes.

Mr Umar directed that the Green Line BRT should be operational by August 2021 and asked SIDCL to review all the activities to achieve specific timelines with a partial and complete solution of ITS implementation.

The ministry said the meeting reviewed the pace of the Green Line BRT and KCR projects. Chief Operating Officer of SIDCL Bilal Memon briefed the meeting about the matters related to Green Line infrastructure progress and procurement update on operational sides of BRT.

The minister said the federal government was taking all measures to expedite the BRT project so as to ease the problems faced by Karachiites, currently exposed to hardship due to the absence of adequate public transport.

He said the federation was working beyond its responsibility to give Karachi its due rights.

 

[Bewal Express]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1614097/deadlines-set-for-karachi-mega-transport-projects

The PPP want their cut, its around 50% according their Sindh Cabinet Minister.

 

[MenInG]

Stressing on monitoring of development budget for Sindh, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry Sunday appealed to Supreme Court of Pakistan to ensure implementation of Article 140-A in the province.

The minister said while addressing a press conference here at Karachi Press Club that Prime Minister Imran Khan floated the idea of neutral umpires in cricket and now he was advocating for a neutral Election Commission and such a system that would be acceptable for all. The minister said the opposition had no agenda for progress of the country nor they had any foreign policy or economic agenda.

“The unnatural alliance of opposition parties would not succeed in its agenda of protection of vested interests as they lack vision and public support,” he remarked, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan had a clear agenda for long-term growth, uplift and sovereignty of Pakistan.

The minister said economic indicators had improved, agriculture production witnessed record increase, while large-scale manufacturing revived and overseas Pakistanis sent record remittances; resultantly the GDP growth had risen to 4 percent.

Fawad Chaudhry said that Imran Khan would lead the campaign in Sindh during next general elections and next government in the province would be formed by the PTI as it was not possible for the PPP to win the elections on the basis of its performance, and it would be wiped out.

Stressing on monitoring of development budget, he said that a mechanism was in the offing for monitoring of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects so that proper utilisation of funds and relief to the masses could be ensured. He said it seemed that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was unaware of Article 140-A which required provinces to establish a local government system, convene provincial finance commission and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments so that basic issues of the masses could be resolved.

“We do not expect that the chief minister Sindh will take any measure in this regard, due to which, we are appealing the Supreme Court of Pakistan to look into the matter and ensure implementation of Article 140-A in the province,” he said adding that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had already constituted the provincial finance commission (PFC) and the process was continuing in Punjab where PFC would be announced this year.

"Sindh's biggest enemies are currently ruling the province. Money goes out of Sindh via launches and fake accounts due to which Karachi does not get its fair share of the budget,” said Fawad Chaudhry.

He said the Sindh chief minister should step down after the recent remarks of Chief Justice of Pakistan. The minister said the PTI government had issued over Rs1,800 billion in previous two years under the NFC Award to Sindh, while Rs700-750 billion were earmarked for the province for financial year 2021-22, the minister said, adding that despite receiving such a large amount, development in Sindh and even in Karachi was not visible.

The minister said that PTI government was committed to resolve issues being faced by people in Sindh, but the PPP was creating hurdles in every positive move. He said the PTI believes in supremacy of Parliament and wants to settle all issues in the house to strengthen the democracy.

The minister said the government had introduced amendments to reform election system in the Parliament, but the opposition was convening all parties conference (APC) out of ambit of the Parliament.

“Attaching priority to elements sitting outside of Parliament would weaken the democratic system,” he opined, and stressed that the Parliament was the proper forum to deal with the matters of national importance.

Speaking on issues of journalist fraternity, Fawad informed that the PTI government was committed to provision of facilities to journalists across the country, and relevant matters were being channelised. He said a package would be introduced in PM’s Housing and Kamyab Jawan programmes for journalists, while training opportunities for their capacity building would be offered as well. He said short courses of digital media would be arranged in collaboration with press clubs.

To a question about distribution of irrigation water, Fawad said that PPP of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto was a federal political party, but incumbent leadership of PPP was restraining it to a province.

"Bilawal was accusing Punjab of water theft but when Irsa suggested monitoring of water flows at entry points, CM Murad Ali Shah ran away," he added.

Meanwhile, Fawad Chaudhry speaking as a chief guest at unveiling of Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai here that it was an auspicious opportunity to unveil the hidden treasures of Pakistan before the world.

The Expo 2020 will be held in Dubai from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 under the theme of “Connecting minds, creating the future” and around 190 countries will participate in the expo to showcase their strongest potential to the world.

Fawad Chaudhry said that with dedicated and focused initiatives of PTI government, Pakistan was emerging at global level as a country exporting modern technological products.

He assured extensive cooperation of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to make the Pakistan Pavilion at Dubai Expo a success, and said that such international events bring the countries together to brand their products and services to attract the potential buyers.

“UAE is the second home to Pakistanis and it is expected that a large number of expatriates would visit the Expo while thousands of visitor from across the world will be there to explore the hidden treasures of Pakistan,” Fawad said.

Reacting to Fawad Chaudhry’s statement, Sindh Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said the Centre doesn’t like democracy in Sindh.

The provincial minister said the PTI would no longer exist after the 2023 elections as it will not find candidates for polls. He said the rented spokespersons will not be seen after the next polls.

Meanwhile, Sindh government spokesman Murtaza Wahab said the federal government had a liking for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief ministers because they "remain silent”. "They like 'mute' people like Usman Buzdar. They like KP CM because he remains silent,” said Wahab, at a press conference here.

The spokesman said Murad Ali Shah is not liked by the federal government as he "does not remain quiet". Murtaza Wahab also slammed the federal government for the allocations made in the PSDP. He said the T schemes for KP, Balochistan and Punjab are visible in the PSDP allocation but Sindh, "which fuels the country's economy, does not even have the allocation for a single project in the programme".

“Sindh is not given its rights (but) Sindh cannot be ignored,” said Murtaza Wahab. He regretted that the federal ministers ridicule the Sindh government for not giving any authority to the local governments. He said that the PTI government did not let any local government work across Pakistan.

“Local governments completed their terms only in Sindh,” said Murtaza Wahab. Meanwhile, the PPP rejected the electronic voting machines (EVMs), saying that it aimed at rigging next elections to install a puppet Parliament.

“The EVM is a device to rig the elections through technology, without a human face, so as to put in place a selected Parliament and to undo the 18th Amendment and the NFC Award,” said the PPP Secretary General Farhatullah Babar while addressing a party event.

Farhatullah Babar said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has also formally rejected 45 out of 72 proposed changes in the Elections Act 2017. He said that overseas Pakistanis should be integrated in the electoral process in a manner that is doable and for which legal and constitutional basis is provided.

The PPP leader Senate Palwasha Khan said the artificial roots of the PTI are in the process of decay. She said political gypsies make statements against the PPP leadership and Sindh government just to keep their jobs intact.

GEO

 

[King_Kohli]

Karachi among world's 10 most stressful cities to live in for 2021

Karachi is among the world's top 10 most stressful urban centres to live in, according to a list by German company VAAY.

The index is curated by analyzing 15 major stress indicators, which include governance, environment, finance and security.

The list claims cities are chosen for their size and significance as well as for the availability of comparable and reliable information.

The cities with the most stressful social, environmental and economic conditions make it to the bottom while the most stable and happy ones top the list.

Karachi ranks at number 93 on the list, which is slightly better than Baghdad (94), Kabul (95) and Moscow (96).

Iceland’s serene capital, Reykajavik, tops the list as the least stressful city, followed by Bern (Switzerland), Helsinki, (Finland), Wellington, Melbourne, Oslo, Copenhagen, Innsbruck (Austria), Hannover (Germany) and Graz (Austria).

Mumbai ranks at 100 as the most stressful urban centre. Ranks of other major international cities are Sydney at 19, Abu Dhabi at 28, Toronto at 30, Singapore at 33, Tokyo at 34, Berlin at 36, Chicago at 40, Rome at 42, Los Angeles at 45, Washington at 47, Buenos Aires at 48, Cape Town at 51, Prague at 52, Budapest at 54, Tel Aviv at 55, Paris at 62, Doha at 65, Kuwait at 66, Rio de Janeiro at 67, London at 69, Kuala Lumpur at 76, Riyadh at 77, Shanghai at 83, Tehran at 86, Bangkok at 87, Cairo at 88 and Istanbul at 90.

The selected cities are not necessarily the most and least stressful cities in the world; instead, they were chosen for their global comparability.

The list aims to showcase good governance to inspire and pave way for cities lagging behind.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/357665-karachi-among-worlds-10-most-stressful-cities-to-live-in-for-2021

 

[rockyboy2018]

Moscow seems very modern city. I do not expect to face stress, in the same way, I feel in Karachi. Karachi is like a fourth-world city with crumbling infrastructure and pollution is everywhere. And the behavior of locals is like bordering on "killing" people. They depict so much stress. That's natural when you live in such an enviornment. No electricity. No work gets done without bribes. Crazy traffic. No ones follows traffic rules. Pollution. Cows are grazing on the open roads. I mean, I do not expect to have a similar kind of stress level while living in Moscow- just my little hunch but I do not know I have never been there.

 

[OMB]

The environmental criteria is what's pulling Asian cities down. Not only Karachi, all the cities in Asia suffer including the affluent ones.

Shanghai at 83 seems to be odd as it is not that polluted and economically pretty advanced

 

[MenInG]

Planning Minister Asad Umar on Saturday said the next general elections in the country will be conducted on the basis of a new census.

Umar's remarks came during a press conference alongside Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi in Karachi. He also said that the previous governments had not given any major plans for Karachi.

He said the PPP has ruled over Karachi and the province for 13 years, yet the city is not desperate and there are issues with waste disposal as well. Umar maintained that Prime Minister Imran Khan is aware of the problems facing the metropolis.

“The federal government would heal Karachi’s wounds. Work is underway on five major federal projects in the city,” said Umar.

“The Green Line project is a modern transport project. Several of its phases have been completed whereas 80 buses are being bought for it. Some buses will arrive on September 12 while another 40 buses will reach Karachi by next week.”

The minister elaborated that drivers had been recruited and a command and control centre has been set up and the IT infrastructure for the project would be completed soon.

About garbage collection and disposal, the federal minister said around 1.1 million tons of garbage would be removed from the drains of the city.

“Sidewalks, underpasses and overhead bridges are being constructed on these drains,” he said. “About 15ft wide roads will also be constructed along these drains.”

He added that the situation for draining rainwater is now much better and around 90pc of the drains have been cleaned.

“The recent rains have not caused any problems due to the storm drains being cleaned earlier.”

The planning minister said the third project by the federation was of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR).

“Chief Justice of Pakistan helped us with the circular railway project. The project is from Karachi to Pipri and will cost Rs70 billion. It will cover 43 km, out of which 29kms would be elevated.”

The planning minister further said that the KCR would service 22 stations and the entire project will be run by the private sector. Umar revealed that the premier would visit the port city before September 30 and inaugurate the KCR infrastructure.

Referring to Karachi's water woes, the minister said the K-4 scheme has been delayed for the last decade, but work on four projects will resume in five months.

“We are trying to complete four projects by August 14, 2023. The Sindh government is responsible for water supply,” he said.

Under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme, Rs7 billion was distributed in Karachi and Rs65 billion in Sindh, said Umar and added that Rs21 billion has been allocated for small schemes in the city in the current budget.

“Karachi census has been a long-standing issue,” he said. “Former president Pervez Musharraf did a lot for Karachi but he could not conduct the census. The census was conducted again 19 years later in 2017. We want the facts about the census to come out, involving all stakeholders. The summary will be sent to stakeholders after cabinet approval.”

He added that the census is expected to be completed in early 2023, and constituencies would be demarcated following the conclusion of the exercise.

Umar further said that the Sindh government was not ready to hold local body elections.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Inclusion of Karachi Comprehensive Coastal Development Zone in CPEC is game changer. Will cleanup our marine habitat for fishermen, develop 20k low income housing units & present opportunities for investors. Will put Khi at par with developed port cities<br>Well done <a href="https://twitter.com/MaritimeGovPK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaritimeGovPK</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1442074114957606912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar announced on Sunday that Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the Green Line Bus project service in Karachi on December 10.

The minister made the announcement in a Twitter post, saying the project will be Karachi’s “first modern transport system."

On November 28, Umar had tweeted that the project will be ready for a trial operation within the next 10 days, following which it will be formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan and then its commercial activities could begin.

"I conducted a detailed review of the Karachi Green Line project yesterday (Saturday). With the grace of Allah, this project will be ready for trial operation in the next 10 days," he wrote.

Earlier, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail said that the Green Line project was being constructed with federal funding. He stated that travel in these buses will be very comfortable. He lamented that it is very unfortunate that the provincial government had not been able to bring a single bus to Karachi in 13 years and people were forced to travel in dilapidated buses.

Imran Ismail appreciated the efforts made by SIDCL in ensuring the completion of the Green Line project within its timelines. He added that the dedicated Corridor will serve some of Karachi's most populated areas, namely Surjani Town to Gurumandir and Numaish Chowrangi.

On October 4, the test run of the Green Line BRT began on a 23km route (Surjani Town to Numaish Chowrangi) after the PTI-led federal government inaugurated its trial operation.

At least, 40 buses for the Green Line project arrived in the city in October, raising the number of buses to 80. It is supposed to facilitate the travel of approximately 300,000 passengers daily.

Karachi's Green Line BRT project with intersections is 24km long which includes 12.7km elevated, 10.9km at grade, and 422 meters underground, and has 25 stations. The phase-II common corridor from Gurumandir up to Municipal Park with a length of 2.5km has two underpasses at M A Jinnah Road.

Umar had said that that a comprehensive Command and Control Centre had been established for the projects including Green Line, Orange Line, etc. He said that the Green Line was the first state-of-the-art project, which was being introduced to the city with a 20.5-kilometer-long corridor. A bus depot had been built for 80 buses whereas 22 bus stations had been completed.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/4013...e-karachis-green-line-bus-on-dec-10-asad-umar

 

[Bewal Express]

Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar announced on Sunday that Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the Green Line Bus project service in Karachi on December 10.

The minister made the announcement in a Twitter post, saying the project will be Karachi’s “first modern transport system."

On November 28, Umar had tweeted that the project will be ready for a trial operation within the next 10 days, following which it will be formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan and then its commercial activities could begin.

"I conducted a detailed review of the Karachi Green Line project yesterday (Saturday). With the grace of Allah, this project will be ready for trial operation in the next 10 days," he wrote.

Earlier, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail said that the Green Line project was being constructed with federal funding. He stated that travel in these buses will be very comfortable. He lamented that it is very unfortunate that the provincial government had not been able to bring a single bus to Karachi in 13 years and people were forced to travel in dilapidated buses.

Imran Ismail appreciated the efforts made by SIDCL in ensuring the completion of the Green Line project within its timelines. He added that the dedicated Corridor will serve some of Karachi's most populated areas, namely Surjani Town to Gurumandir and Numaish Chowrangi.

On October 4, the test run of the Green Line BRT began on a 23km route (Surjani Town to Numaish Chowrangi) after the PTI-led federal government inaugurated its trial operation.

At least, 40 buses for the Green Line project arrived in the city in October, raising the number of buses to 80. It is supposed to facilitate the travel of approximately 300,000 passengers daily.

Karachi's Green Line BRT project with intersections is 24km long which includes 12.7km elevated, 10.9km at grade, and 422 meters underground, and has 25 stations. The phase-II common corridor from Gurumandir up to Municipal Park with a length of 2.5km has two underpasses at M A Jinnah Road.

Umar had said that that a comprehensive Command and Control Centre had been established for the projects including Green Line, Orange Line, etc. He said that the Green Line was the first state-of-the-art project, which was being introduced to the city with a 20.5-kilometer-long corridor. A bus depot had been built for 80 buses whereas 22 bus stations had been completed.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/4013...e-karachis-green-line-bus-on-dec-10-asad-umar

So the Federal govt is doing the job of the Provincial govt, Why? What is the point of the Provincial govt and where does the Sindh govt Spend its money. [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] where does the Sindh govt budget go?

 

[Major]

So the Federal govt is doing the job of the Provincial govt, Why? What is the point of the Provincial govt and where does the Sindh govt Spend its money. [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] where does the Sindh govt budget go?

BRTs and Metros are the biggest poltical fraud ever been done in this country. Now you dont live here so you wont understand.

these are just bus tracks laid on single routes. While the whole city has no bus system to help people commute.

 

[Bewal Express]

BRTs and Metros are the biggest poltical fraud ever been done in this country. Now you dont live here so you wont understand.

these are just bus tracks laid on single routes. While the whole city has no bus system to help people commute.

They may be but this question is about why Sindh govt is expecting the Federal govt to spend money when it has a budget. So where does the money go? Surely, not all of it goes to Younas Memon in Canada and the Omni group? Lol

 

[street cricketer]

I have no idea how a city of 16 million people doesn't have a suburban railway system. You can only transport so much people in one bus, whereas you can transport hundreds of people in a train. I have always thought Karachi as a similar city to cities like Mumbai and Chennai which are all coastal and economic hubs in their respective regions. Both Mumbai and Chennai have been having suburban railways since a long time.

Mumbai got its first suburban rail way back in the 1850s while Chennai got its in 1920s after which they have expanded over the years to an extensive electrified networks in their respective cities. I'm actually surprised why the British never started a similar line in Karachi, given there would have been a great potential to start one there to transport goods and people from the residential areas to the coast. I'm aware that Karachi had a circular railway but looks like it has been discontinued due to people not using it (no idea why) and only a tiny section has been restarted.

 

[Savak]

So the Federal govt is doing the job of the Provincial govt, Why? What is the point of the Provincial govt and where does the Sindh govt Spend its money. [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] where does the Sindh govt budget go?

Zardaris pockets and into the fake bank accounts and UAE. Sindh needs liberation from the PPP

 

[Major]

Zardaris pockets and into the fake bank accounts and UAE. Sindh needs liberation from the PPP

Green Line controversy

THE under-construction mass transport project in Karachi, the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System, already beset with delays, has run into more snags. It recently emerged that the Spanish firm, Grupsa, which is lending its technical support and services for the project, has directly complained to Pakistan’s anti-corruption and investigation agencies about fraud being committed in its name.

The firm has accused one of the local contractors, through whom Grupsa is supplying automated platform screen doors, of billing the federal government over 2.7m euros (Rs502m) for the same whereas the issued invoice was for a little over 0.5m euros. Grupsa is alleging that MGH, the Pakistani contractor, “prepared a false/forged/fabricated document/invoice” to achieve its objective. In the process, it “injured the name and goodwill of Grupsa as well as [caused] a huge loss to the exchequer”.

Read: Five years on, no sign of Green Line BRTS project’s completion

Moreover, it has sought permission for its team to be allowed to visit the site, because of reports that substandard equipment had also been installed in its name. Evidently the Spanish firm, considered one of the pioneers of automated equipment, tried approaching diplomatic channels for eight months to get someone in Pakistan’s officialdom to take notice, but to no avail.


These are serious allegations, and it reflects poorly on the authorities that they have been so unresponsive to a complaint by a renowned international firm, whose sole interest — given it has already received payment — is to prevent harm to its reputation. The inaction reflects deep malaise in systems of accountability here and could discourage other reputable firms from collaborating on mega projects in Pakistan. For its part, the local contractor, MGH, has issued a statement to say that the company has taken appropriate action in a court of law against the individual involved. The matter must be resolved to the satisfaction of Grupsa and fulfil the demands of accountability. We require the assistance of global firms to develop our infrastructure, and what Karachi desperately needs more than anything else is a mass transit system.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2021

[MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION]

) Federal govt involved in corruption over BRT ) )

 

[Bewal Express]

Green Line controversy

THE under-construction mass transport project in Karachi, the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System, already beset with delays, has run into more snags. It recently emerged that the Spanish firm, Grupsa, which is lending its technical support and services for the project, has directly complained to Pakistan’s anti-corruption and investigation agencies about fraud being committed in its name.

The firm has accused one of the local contractors, through whom Grupsa is supplying automated platform screen doors, of billing the federal government over 2.7m euros (Rs502m) for the same whereas the issued invoice was for a little over 0.5m euros. Grupsa is alleging that MGH, the Pakistani contractor, “prepared a false/forged/fabricated document/invoice” to achieve its objective. In the process, it “injured the name and goodwill of Grupsa as well as [caused] a huge loss to the exchequer”.

Read: Five years on, no sign of Green Line BRTS project’s completion

Moreover, it has sought permission for its team to be allowed to visit the site, because of reports that substandard equipment had also been installed in its name. Evidently the Spanish firm, considered one of the pioneers of automated equipment, tried approaching diplomatic channels for eight months to get someone in Pakistan’s officialdom to take notice, but to no avail.


These are serious allegations, and it reflects poorly on the authorities that they have been so unresponsive to a complaint by a renowned international firm, whose sole interest — given it has already received payment — is to prevent harm to its reputation. The inaction reflects deep malaise in systems of accountability here and could discourage other reputable firms from collaborating on mega projects in Pakistan. For its part, the local contractor, MGH, has issued a statement to say that the company has taken appropriate action in a court of law against the individual involved. The matter must be resolved to the satisfaction of Grupsa and fulfil the demands of accountability. We require the assistance of global firms to develop our infrastructure, and what Karachi desperately needs more than anything else is a mass transit system.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2021

[MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION]

) Federal govt involved in corruption over BRT ) )

As I have said often, PK isn't going to become clear overnight and there will be corruption because its part of the political and economic culture, and dare I say it, part of Pks people way of thinking. But it's interesting that you have finally grown some balls and are actually willing to debate. $2.5mn is a lot of money for a poor country and I agree that not only does it need to be looked into, people need to go down. What's more interesting is that you found a link to this but refused to bat an eye lid at the trillions stolen by Billo, Daddy and his ugly auntie. Why have you refused to even acknowledge how corrupt the PPP govt is and always has been. Are you a beneficiary of the corruption, why would you find it so painful to condemn it. You and [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] start to do olyompic gymnastics when challenged.
ZAB, for all his faults wasn't in politics to make money, the PPP since his demise, isn't in politics to do anything but steal from the poor that put their faith in them, those that have the least are being robbed by the guys who they trust and who already have trillions. Look deep inside your heart and if you still have even one iota of sympathy for them, you are in deep dodoo.

 

[Major]

As I have said often, PK isn't going to become clear overnight and there will be corruption because its part of the political and economic culture, and dare I say it, part of Pks people way of thinking. But it's interesting that you have finally grown some balls and are actually willing to debate. $2.5mn is a lot of money for a poor country and I agree that not only does it need to be looked into, people need to go down. What's more interesting is that you found a link to this but refused to bat an eye lid at the trillions stolen by Billo, Daddy and his ugly auntie. Why have you refused to even acknowledge how corrupt the PPP govt is and always has been. Are you a beneficiary of the corruption, why would you find it so painful to condemn it. You and [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] start to do olyompic gymnastics when challenged.
ZAB, for all his faults wasn't in politics to make money, the PPP since his demise, isn't in politics to do anything but steal from the poor that put their faith in them, those that have the least are being robbed by the guys who they trust and who already have trillions. Look deep inside your heart and if you still have even one iota of sympathy for them, you are in deep dodoo.

you are right, what more do you want me to say?

I might decide to ballot my vote for no candidate. Or maybe i might still vote PPP because the only thing they can do right is their foreing policy. tahts about it........ and thats what Pakistan needs to get right along with eliminating the Islaminization of the society going on.

 

[Bewal Express]

you are right, what more do you want me to say?

I might decide to ballot my vote for no candidate. Or maybe i might still vote PPP because the only thing they can do right is their foreing policy. tahts about it........ and thats what Pakistan needs to get right along with eliminating the Islaminization of the society going on.

PK has made mistakes in Foreign policy but as you will know the PPP Foreign policy is not theirs. Remember what Condi Rice told BB about the bank accounts. I too believe that PK Foreign policy should be a force for moderation and I think finally we have started on that road. It will take time and we need to get kids out of Madrassahs and in to mainstream education.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1662838/pml-n-condemns-torture-of-party-workers-at-symbolic-inauguration-of-karachis-green-line-project

PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal said on Thursday that his party's workers had been "tortured" by security personnel and subjected to "state-sponsored violence" in Karachi's Nazimabad No 7 — where he had arrived to perform a symbolic inauguration of the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit project — terming the incident "condemnable".

Iqbal, along with PML-N workers and other party leaders, including Muhammad Zubair, Miftah Ismail, Kheal Das Kohistani, Nehal Hashmi, Sorath Thebo and Ali Akbar Gujjar, had reached the site of the project for a symbolic inauguration today — just a day before Prime Minister Imran is expected to inaugurate the transport service.

The situation escalated when Iqbal was stopped from moving further after his arrival at the site. He, however, raised his hand at the spot he was standing as a gesture to signify that he had performed the symbolic inauguration.

A melee was witnessed at the site as PML-N workers and leaders were stopped from going towards the pedestrian bridge built as part of the project, and a video of the incident shows Rangers personnel stopping them from moving forward.

PML-N Karachi chapter general secretary Nasiruddin Mehmood claimed, while speaking to Dawn.com, that PML-N workers also faced hindrances when they had tried to visit the project's site on Wednesday night.

According to him, private guards did not allow them to reach the site, and when they visited it again on Thursday morning, they were stopped by Rangers and police.

Mehmood said when they told law enforcers that they were there only for the symbolic inauguration of the project, security personnel said they had been asked by the federal government to stop them.

"When they [PML-N workers] were pushed back, they went and stood at some distance," he said, adding that after Iqbal reached the site in the afternoon, he was also stopped by paramilitary personnel.

Mehmood estimated that around 200 to 250 PML-N workers were present on the occasion and they were "pushed back and baton-charged".

"Ahsan Iqbal was beaten with sticks twice and a leader from the party's women wing, Perveen Bashir, suffered bruises on her finger when she was hit," he said, adding that party leader Sorath Thebo also fell down amid the ruckus and suffered injuries.

“We were peacefully demonstrating and did not want to challenge the writ of the state and yet, we were subjected to [authorities'] high-handedness,” he said.

'State-sponsored violence'

Later, while speaking to the media, Iqbal said PML-N workers had been subjected to "state-sponsored violence" and that he had also been hit on his arms with sticks.

"A security institution tortured [our] political workers," he said, adding that one of his party's workers had been injured in the incident.

Without naming any institution, he alleged that the incumbent government had been using a law enforcement agency for political purposes the same way it had been using police.

He went on to criticise the government for "using force against unarmed political workers but appearing helpless when dealing with terrorists".

"We are glad that [we] spilled our blood for this inauguration," he remarked. "I have been shot before and I take pride in the fact that my blood has been spilled once again in Karachi."

The PML-N leader said the way his party was treated on the occasion was "condemnable".

Meanwhile, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the incident and demanded an investigation into the matter and action against those responsible.

In a statement, he alleged that "Rangers used force against PML-N leaders and workers on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan".

"Ahsan Iqbal and PML-N workers being subjected to baton-charge, torture and ill-treatment is condemnable and unfortunate," he said. "Political workers being tortured is unacceptable."

The Green Line project

Speaking about the Green Line project, Iqbal told reporters in Karachi that it was launched by the PML-N government in 2016 and its foundation was laid by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif. He added that the project was supposed to reach completion in 2018, alleging that its execution was delayed because it was initiated by his party.

The Green Line project has suffered several hiccups over the years since its groundbreaking in February 2016. The project was originally estimated to get completed within a year with an estimated cost of Rs16.85 billion funded by the federal government.

However, it took more than five years and Rs35bn to finish and years of frustration, stress and painful experiences of hundreds of thousands of Karachiites who had to trudge through main Shershah Suri Road every day during the painfully slow construction of the project.

Lamenting this, Iqbal commented that Karachiites were facing troubles due to the city's poor transport infrastructure.

The Green Line project, he said, could not even be completed in three years.

"But we are glad that this government has been taking credit for projects launched by the PML-N," he added.

Referring to Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar's announcement of Prime Minister Imran inaugurating the Green Line project on December 10 (tomorrow), he commented: "Those who have been unfairly claiming a right to the project will come tomorrow."

Zubair, who was also present on the occasion, said Prime Minister Imran need not visit Karachi tomorrow for the inauguration as those who had launched the project had inaugurated it.

He added that the use of force against PML-N workers was condemnable.

'Karachi's progress ruined'

Earlier, Iqbal also criticised the incumbent government for "ruining the progress of Karachi started by the PML-N government in the past".

"We had improved the economy of Karachi," he said, adding that today the metropolis needed water, electricity and cleanliness and peace. "If these facilities are provided to this city, it could become Shanghai," the PML-N leader said.

Iqbal said the PML-N had worked for the betterment of Karachi even after it did not get many votes from the metropolis, highlighting that Pakistan's progress was linked to Karachi's progress.

 

[Bewal Express]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1662838/pml-n-condemns-torture-of-party-workers-at-symbolic-inauguration-of-karachis-green-line-project

What were these losers doing there?

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the port city’s first mass transit system, in Karachi tomorrow (Friday), Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi along with Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on Thursday, Umar said under the Karachi Transformation Plan (KTP) the federal government was undertaking a total of five development projects in the metropolis.

He said besides the BRT, the work on Mehmoodabad nullah has been completed and it will be inaugurated in two weeks while Orangi and Gujjar nullahs will be inaugurated in a few months.

Umar said Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme dubbed as the K-IV project will be completed by 2023 which he said will reduce the water shortage in the port city.

However, the commercial operations of mass transit will commence from December 25 after a trial of about two weeks.

The second consignment of 40 BRT buses finally arrived from China last in September.

The work on the Rs24 billion federal-funded project — conceived by the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government — had started in February 2016 and was scheduled to finish before the general election in July 2018.

The residents of Pakistan's largest city had to wait for five years to see the first metro bus hit the road. All this while, the citizens suffered a great deal due to the dug-up roads along the 26km stretch of the bus route making the commute difficult and lengthy; loss of business as a consequence of the construction work; and a smoke- and dust-filled atmosphere, giving rise to respiratory ailments.

Express Tribune

 

[finalfantasy7]

any pictures of the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit route - how big will it be.

How many jobs are they expecting to be created

 

[James]

The Express Tribune:

<b>PM Imran inaugurates Karachi's Green Line bus project.
Imran says federal govt will complete K-IV project by Sept 2023 to fix Karachi's water woes.</b>

KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday inaugurated the long-delayed Green Line Rapid Bus transit project in Karachi.

During the address, the prime minister said he was closely invested in the K-IV project to resolve Karachi's water woes and added that the work on the project will start from January 2022 and will be completed in 13-14 months, i.e. by Sept 2023.

According to Imran, he will soon "give good news to the people of Karachi" as this was their "biggest demand".

Speaking about health insurance, the premier said even certain developed countries do not have universal healthcare and elaborated that with the Sehat Card facility, everyone in Punjab will get free healthcare by March of next year.

The Sehat Card is not available in Sindh.

The prime minister urged the provincial government to become a part of the federal government's health scheme for the sake of the poor.

Commenting on the proposed development plan of Bundal island, Imran maintained that the initiative will help create more jobs in Sindh. "This will benefit Sindh most," he said, adding that it was vital to build "modern cities" to meet the growing needs of Pakistan.

He also gave the example of Ravi City, saying such developments will curb pollution and other issues.

"I again urge the Sindh government to give the federal government a NOC for the development of this island," he said, adding that the Centre will benefit from the foreign direct investments only.

The premier is also expected to chair different meetings on political and administrative affairs of Sindh during his day-long visit to the province.

Earlier in the day, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said the premier would visit the port city for the inauguration of the public transport project.

According to the federal minister, the Green Line project was one of the five big projects announced by the federal government for the city under the Karachi Transformation Plan.

Last week, Umar had revealed that the commercial operations of the Greenline buses will resume on Dec 25.

Earlier this year the first consignment of 40 Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) —the port city’s first mass transit system — buses arrived from China.

The work on the Rs24 billion federal-funded project — conceived by the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government — had started in February 2016 and was scheduled to finish before the general election in July 2018.

 

[Bewal Express]

The Express Tribune:

<b>PM Imran inaugurates Karachi's Green Line bus project.
Imran says federal govt will complete K-IV project by Sept 2023 to fix Karachi's water woes.</b>

KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday inaugurated the long-delayed Green Line Rapid Bus transit project in Karachi.

During the address, the prime minister said he was closely invested in the K-IV project to resolve Karachi's water woes and added that the work on the project will start from January 2022 and will be completed in 13-14 months, i.e. by Sept 2023.

According to Imran, he will soon "give good news to the people of Karachi" as this was their "biggest demand".

Speaking about health insurance, the premier said even certain developed countries do not have universal healthcare and elaborated that with the Sehat Card facility, everyone in Punjab will get free healthcare by March of next year.

The Sehat Card is not available in Sindh.

The prime minister urged the provincial government to become a part of the federal government's health scheme for the sake of the poor.

Commenting on the proposed development plan of Bundal island, Imran maintained that the initiative will help create more jobs in Sindh. "This will benefit Sindh most," he said, adding that it was vital to build "modern cities" to meet the growing needs of Pakistan.

He also gave the example of Ravi City, saying such developments will curb pollution and other issues.

"I again urge the Sindh government to give the federal government a NOC for the development of this island," he said, adding that the Centre will benefit from the foreign direct investments only.

The premier is also expected to chair different meetings on political and administrative affairs of Sindh during his day-long visit to the province.

Earlier in the day, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said the premier would visit the port city for the inauguration of the public transport project.

According to the federal minister, the Green Line project was one of the five big projects announced by the federal government for the city under the Karachi Transformation Plan.

Last week, Umar had revealed that the commercial operations of the Greenline buses will resume on Dec 25.

Earlier this year the first consignment of 40 Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) —the port city’s first mass transit system — buses arrived from China.

The work on the Rs24 billion federal-funded project — conceived by the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government — had started in February 2016 and was scheduled to finish before the general election in July 2018.

The water project would be a great achievement of IK for Karachi and would leave a historical legacy and along with ridding the city of the treacherous crooks of the PPP, will make IK a legend in Karachi.

 

[Savak]

Its funny how PML N politicians like Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Zubair, Miftah Ismail tried to uninvitedly attend the ceremony and take credit for the project. Good on the rangers to forcefully prevent them from entering.

 

[MenInG]

Soon after the inauguration of the long-delayed Green Line Rapid Bus Transit project — Karachi's first mass transit system, all three major political forces – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – started claiming credit for the project on Friday.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, earlier in the day, launched the project which was originally conceived during the rule of PML-N in 2015.

"Imran Khan today inaugurated [former prime minister] Nawaz Sharif's project... they think they can deceive masses, but everyone knows the truth," PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said while addressing a news conference in Islamabad, soon after the conclusion of the inauguration ceremony in Karachi.

She said that Sharif gave such projects to Lahore, Multan and Karachi. "Imran Khan is only putting his name plate on projects started by Nawaz Sharif... he should be thankful to him."

Marriyum condemned the use of force against the PML-N leaders and workers a day earlier during the party's "symbolic" inauguration of the project, saying that PM Imran used Rangers to stop the ceremony from taking place.

Ahsan Iqbal, accompanied by other PML-N leaders including Muhammad Zubair, Miftah Ismail, Sorath Thebo, Ali Akbar Gujjar, Perveen Bashir and Nehal Hashmi as well as activists, had reached the site of the project for a symbolic inauguration on Thursday.

A video of the incident shows Rangers stopping them from moving forward and the party activists chanting slogans against the ruling PTI.

Later, Ahsan, the party’s general secretary, told the media that the PML-N activists had been subjected to "state-sponsored violence" and that he had also been hit on his arms with sticks.

Meanwhile, talking to the media, Karachi Administrator and PPP spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said that Prime Minister Imran was inaugurating projects which in the past he used to call "jangla bus service".

"This government only believes in announcements... Imran Khan should rename himself Ailan (announcement) Khan," he added.

Murtaza said the incumbent government had failed to understand that the “common man desires to feed his children first but due to the historic rise in inflation, he has been unable to do that”.

"Yes, the price of petrol rose in the entire world but now they're dropping but the benefit has not yet been passed on to the masses by the government," he added.

The administrator announced that 50 new buses would hit the roads of Karachi by January 31 and 200 more would arrive within two more months.

Earlier in the day, during his address after inaugurating the project, PM Imran said that he was closely invested in the K-IV project to resolve Karachi's water woes, adding that the work on the project will start from January 2022 and be completed in 13-14 months – by Sept 2023.

According to Imran, he would soon "give good news to the people of Karachi" as this was their "biggest demand".

The prime minister urged the PPP government in Sindh to become a part of the federal government's health scheme for the sake of the poor.

Commenting on the proposed development plan of Bundal island, Imran maintained that the initiative would help create more jobs in Sindh.

Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said that the PPP ruled the province six times but could not give a single mile road of motorway to the people of Sindh.

Lashing out at the PML-N, Umar said that despite ruling the country three times, the PML-N did not give Karachi its due right.

He further said that the K-IV project will be approved within a month which would provide the port city with 260 million gallons of water each day.

 

[IMMY69]

Its funny how PML N politicians like Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Zubair, Miftah Ismail tried to uninvitedly attend the ceremony and take credit for the project. Good on the rangers to forcefully prevent them from entering.

When you hear them speak they sound like the country belongs to them...

Disgusting crooks

 

[Bewal Express]

Soon after the inauguration of the long-delayed Green Line Rapid Bus Transit project — Karachi's first mass transit system, all three major political forces – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – started claiming credit for the project on Friday.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, earlier in the day, launched the project which was originally conceived during the rule of PML-N in 2015.

"Imran Khan today inaugurated [former prime minister] Nawaz Sharif's project... they think they can deceive masses, but everyone knows the truth," PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said while addressing a news conference in Islamabad, soon after the conclusion of the inauguration ceremony in Karachi.

She said that Sharif gave such projects to Lahore, Multan and Karachi. "Imran Khan is only putting his name plate on projects started by Nawaz Sharif... he should be thankful to him."

Marriyum condemned the use of force against the PML-N leaders and workers a day earlier during the party's "symbolic" inauguration of the project, saying that PM Imran used Rangers to stop the ceremony from taking place.

Ahsan Iqbal, accompanied by other PML-N leaders including Muhammad Zubair, Miftah Ismail, Sorath Thebo, Ali Akbar Gujjar, Perveen Bashir and Nehal Hashmi as well as activists, had reached the site of the project for a symbolic inauguration on Thursday.

A video of the incident shows Rangers stopping them from moving forward and the party activists chanting slogans against the ruling PTI.

Later, Ahsan, the party’s general secretary, told the media that the PML-N activists had been subjected to "state-sponsored violence" and that he had also been hit on his arms with sticks.

Meanwhile, talking to the media, Karachi Administrator and PPP spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said that Prime Minister Imran was inaugurating projects which in the past he used to call "jangla bus service".

"This government only believes in announcements... Imran Khan should rename himself Ailan (announcement) Khan," he added.

Murtaza said the incumbent government had failed to understand that the “common man desires to feed his children first but due to the historic rise in inflation, he has been unable to do that”.

"Yes, the price of petrol rose in the entire world but now they're dropping but the benefit has not yet been passed on to the masses by the government," he added.

The administrator announced that 50 new buses would hit the roads of Karachi by January 31 and 200 more would arrive within two more months.

Earlier in the day, during his address after inaugurating the project, PM Imran said that he was closely invested in the K-IV project to resolve Karachi's water woes, adding that the work on the project will start from January 2022 and be completed in 13-14 months – by Sept 2023.

According to Imran, he would soon "give good news to the people of Karachi" as this was their "biggest demand".

The prime minister urged the PPP government in Sindh to become a part of the federal government's health scheme for the sake of the poor.

Commenting on the proposed development plan of Bundal island, Imran maintained that the initiative would help create more jobs in Sindh.

Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said that the PPP ruled the province six times but could not give a single mile road of motorway to the people of Sindh.

Lashing out at the PML-N, Umar said that despite ruling the country three times, the PML-N did not give Karachi its due right.

He further said that the K-IV project will be approved within a month which would provide the port city with 260 million gallons of water each day.

As i said the Water project will be IKs great success in Karachi and hopefully rid this great City of criminals forever.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1663418/karachi-climate-march-participants-stopped-from-moving-towards-bilawal-house

Dozens of participants of the 'People’s Climate March' took out a rally near Karachi's Boat Basin on Sunday evening to draw the authorities' attention towards the adverse impact of climate change, particularly the perceived environmental disaster unfolding in Malir and adjoining areas — allegedly because of trees being felled and agricultural lands being destroyed to pave the way for mega housing projects.

Activists belonging to around 10 political parties and civil society organisations arrived near Clifton beach and tried to march towards Bilawal House but police officials prevented them from moving further, according to organisers and witnesses.

The move by the police led the march participants, who were affiliated with the Awami Workers Party, Indigenous Rights Movement, Karachi Bachao Tehreek, Malir Expressway Action Committee, Mazdoor Kisan Party and others, to stage a sit-in on the service road at some distance from the Bilawal House.

The marchers including men, women and children chanted slogans against Bahria Town Karachi, DHA Karachi, the occupation of locals' lands, construction of the Malir Expressway, destruction of agricultural land in Malir and Gadap, demolition of homes located on Gujjar and Orangi Nullahs, and other issues.

Khurram Nayyar, an activist with the AWP, told Dawn.com that police had blocked the protesters' way with around 10 vehicles. When some participants managed to breach the barricade, police officials again stopped them by placing another vehicle.

Hafeez Baloch, an activist affiliated with the Indigenous Rights Movement, said the environment and green belts in Malir and Gadap were being destroyed because trees were being cut in large numbers, hills were being grounded and the area's gravel and sand were being excavated for housing projects.

He warned that these activities would likely cause an ecological disaster in the surrounding areas of Karachi. He said the participants had wanted to draw the attention of the PPP leadership towards the issue but the police did not allow them to move further, prompting them to stage a sit-in on the service road near Bilawal House.

At a press conference earlier this week, the organisers and allies of the People’s Climate March had said that the purpose of their event was to organise a people-led response to the environmental crisis with victims of climate injustice at the forefront.

On the occasion, they had also shared a set of demands including an end to the demolition of working-class homes and villages and the right to shelter of the displaced.

Another demand was for a bill to be passed in reference to the affectees of the Gujjar and Orangi Nullahs, the Karachi Circular Railway and Haji Lemo Goth with the same urgency as was being displayed to "protect buildings". It was also demanded that the affectees be given alternative housing of 120 square yards in their districts.

They also demanded a transparent compensation process, and resolution of issues of identity cards, besides the constitution of a rehabilitation committee.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2333706/karachi-transformation-plan-coas-lauds-synergised-efforts-of-stakeholders

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday appreciated synergised efforts of all stakeholders in the implementation of the Karachi Transformation Plan (KTP), the military said.

According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief expressed these sentiments during a visit to Karachi Corps headquarters.

The military’s media wing said that the COAS was given a detailed briefing on operational matters of the formation and security situation in the province especially Karachi.

It said that General Qamar was also briefed on the formation’s support to civil administration in the implementation of KTP including FWO, NLC and NDMA’s efforts for improvement in existing infrastructure to safeguard against urban flooding in Karachi and uplift of relevant civic facilities.

The army chief expressed satisfaction over the operational preparedness of the Corps and measures in place for ensuring “Internal Security”. The COAS lauded services and sacrifices of formation and Pakistan Rangers Sindh for maintaining law and order resulting in significant decline in terrorism and crime rate over the years and providing a secure environment for socio-economic activities.

The COAS also appreciated synergised efforts of all stakeholders in the implementation of KTP, ISPR added.

Later, the army chief visited the headquarters of Sindh Police. On arrival, Gen Qamar laid floral wreath on the martyrs’ monument. He hailed the pivotal role of the provincial police in ensuring improvement in the security situation in the province.

The army chief also interacted with families of the martyrs and thanked them for their sacrifices. He assured them of all-out support of the Pakistan Army.

Earlier, on arrival at Karachi Corps HQ, the COAS was received by Karachi Corps Commander Lieutenant General Muhammad Saeed, the statement further said.

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI:With a fleet of 80 buses and 22 stations, the Green Line bus service went functional from Abdullah Chowk in Surjani to Numaish intersection from 7am to 10pm on Monday.

At the launch of the Green Line facility, the citizens breathed a sigh of relief and a large number of citizens travelled on the Green Line buses from morning till night. The full launch of the service has seen a rush of passengers since morning, including women and children travelling to offices and business centres and patients visiting various hospitals.

Sindh Infrastructure Development Company Manager Abdul Aziz said that the remaining work at some stations of Green Line would be completed soon.

He said that in the light of experiences during the trial run, the quality of the services will be improved, adding that point-of-sale machines have been installed at the stations to enable citizens to purchase tickets through their debit cards.

Similarly, the balance can also be loaded in a permanent ticket. Vending machines have also been installed at the Numaish station through which the balance can be loaded in the permanent ticket.

Passengers travelling on the Green Line service complaint that the fare is on the higher side. "There are no exceptions for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and students."

Similarly, a passenger who gets off at a stop by mistake is required to buy a ticket if he has to go back to the previous stop. There is also no refund facility, they lamented.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

The Green Line BRT, which is the city’s first mass transit system, has been greeting hordes of citizens following inauguration earlier this month.

Owing to the overwhelming rush of commuters, many excited about boarding the shiny, new bus service must wait in long queues on weekends as well as weekdays, before fetching a ticket.

The passengers maintain that the federal government should also consider starting a shuttle bus service leading to Tower and improve its fare system. “This will not only make the BRT service more successful but also make it easier for passengers to travel,” opined one commuter.

The federal government completed Phase I of Green Line BRT in Karachi on December 25th last year, and made it operational from Surjani Town to Namaish Chowrangi. Initially, the bus was run from 8 am to 12 noon, but operations were later extended from 7 am to 10 pm, after which the service has seen an exponential growth in traffic.

According to Green Line Senior Manager Abdul Aziz, a single bus can accommodate a total of 240 commuters, with seating space for 140 of them.

Talking about the service’s popularity with the public, he said that queues of passengers begin lining up to board the bus as early as 8:00 am, but the service sees its greatest inflow of passengers during office hours. “So far, the number of passengers on the week days has been around 30,000 to 40,000, but on weekends the number tends to jump to 50,000,’ he informed.

The long queues or lack or tight space on the bus has however done little to deter the Green Line’s passengers, who indicate a clear preference for the modern bus service as opposed to traditional public buses.

One BRT passenger Muhammad Ahmed, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that he had come to Namaish Chowrangi from Tower in Khan Coach, a traditional public bus, but is now headed to North Karachi in Green Line. “The BRT system is more convenient than the traditional buses, in addition to being cheaper and more comfortable. Even if one has to stand throughout the journey, it’s still more comfortable than sitting in a Khan Coach,” he opined.

Similarly, Muhammad Ali, another passenger who had ditched his own car to test out the new buss service, said that Green Line is a gift to the city and must be protected and regularly maintained, if it is to continue running,” he told.

Where public response to Green Line has largely been in favour of the bus service, some commuters seemed a little displeased about the price disparity in paper and card tickets. “There is a minimum fare of Rs15 and Maximum of Rs55, while fare climbs by Rs five for every successive station. This is understandable but bus management is charging a uniform tariff of Rs55 for paper tickets while those who bought cards can buy tickets based on the number of bus stops they were travelling,” complained M Abbas, an elderly passenger on the bus.

Speaking in response to Abbas’ claims, Green Line Senior Manager Abdul Aziz maintained that the bus service is operating under the state-of-the-art Intelligence Transport System (ITS). “There is a chance of cheating by the conductors or ticket bookers if tariff for paper tickets is not uniform. We cannot possibly monitor every passenger with a paper ticket and the passenger on one ticket can easily go to the next station without paying the necessary fare, which will cause financial loss to the bus service. This does not happen on the card system, the plastic card is connected to the ITS machines installed at at the entry and exit gate,” he told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2022.

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: The formal operation of the Green Line bus service completes its first month on Thursday (today) and by Wednesday evening more than a million people have travelled through its dedicated corridor on 80 buses raising expectations that the service would be catering for the projected number of commuters every day within the first six months.

According to official data, from the formal launch on January 10 till Feb 9 evening, a total of 1,093,000 passengers had travelled on Green Line without any break.

This shows on an average 35,000 people moved on 80 buses of the project on weekdays and the number sometimes swelled to 50,000 during weekends.

The federal government funded public transport project despite off and on complaints about maintenance of its related services has been seen as a ‘blessing’ for the people mainly in district Central who believe that the much-awaited scheme had finally started yielding results.

“It is saving my money, time and energy,” said Umair Ali, a young banker from North Nazimabad, who had stopped riding motorcycle last month to reach his workplace in Soldier Bazaar.

Passenger data shows service is catching up with expectations

Passengers like Umair are paying Rs15 to Rs55 for their respective destinations and enjoying the ride in an 18-metre-long bus passing through 22 stations over 22-kilometre route from Surjani Town to Numaish.

The growing response has pushed the authorities to carry out further innovations to make the ticketing system more user-friendly.

“Currently, the passengers are availing tickets manually and by a prepaid card system. Now an app is being developed where the passengers can book their ticket and pay online from anywhere. It would be available soon,” said Abdul Aziz, senior manager of the Sindh Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (SIDCL).

He believed that it would be a little early to arrive at a conclusion about the status of the project saying the initial assessment would be made after the first six months of formal launch.

Envisaged and executed in February 2016 by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the Green Line project was originally scheduled to complete within a year with an estimated cost of around Rs16.85 billion. However, it took almost six years to complete and the cost reached Rs35bn to finish the project. However, almost six years of its ground-breaking and having suffered many hiccups over the period incurring almost double the cost, the ptojrvy formally began operation on Jan 10.

Orange Line comes in focus
However, with the launch of Green Line, a question remains about the effectiveness of the project, which was originally designed to be connected with the Sindh government-funded Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS).

Despite having the shortest route in all five BRTS, the Orange Line is yet to get completed even after five years to its ground-breaking.

Many observers are still sceptical about the launch of the Sindh government project, but the authorities claim that it is going to be operational within first quarter of the ongoing year.

“The infrastructure development works on the Orange Line — which has been renamed after Abdul Sattar Edhi as the Abdul Sattar Edhi Line — is almost done and we are only waiting for the shipment of buses from China. The buses in China have already reached in their final phase of production and are expected to be here within the next two to three weeks,” said an official.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2022

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday issued orders of the first inquiry against the PTI-led government for a delay in the launch of a metro bus project pending for the last four years.

He directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to operationalise the Islamabad Metro Bus Service from April 16.

The premier, at 7am, visited the Peshawar Morr metro bus station and reviewed the on-ground progress of the project.

Islamabad Metro Bus Service was launched by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 2017 and was due to become functional in 2018.

PM Shehbaz Sharif directed to run the metro bus service from Peshawar Morr to Islamabad International Airport in order to facilitate the passengers travelling towards the airport.

He also ordered to carry out a feasibility study as per Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules for two additional routes, namely from Rawat and Bhara Kahu, connecting the airport.

He directed to establish a metro bus station at the motorway for better connectivity and to enhance the benefit of the service to a maximum number of people.

Read more: Shehbaz shakes up govt employees' holiday schedule after taking over reins of PM

Terming it “severe negligence”, PM Shehbaz expressed dismay over the delay in the materialisation of the project as Rs16 billion had already been spent on the mega project of public importance.

He termed it “unfair” towards the general public whose tax money had been consumed, however, the return facility was being denied to them.

He directed the officials concerned to make TORs of the inquiry to assess the reasons for the delay that led to the loss of national wealth.

The prime minister suggested ensuring the installation of racks in the buses to accommodate the luggage of passengers en route the airport.

He also directed running free of cost service for a trial period until the installation of ticketing machines.

PM Shehbaz Sharif, after assuming office on April 11, had ordered to make operational the Islamabad metro bus service within five days.

Read more: Pakistan to request China to include KCR in CPEC, says PM Shehbaz Sharif

During the visit, PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Hanif Abbasi and Anjum Aqeel accompanied the prime minister.

The officials of the National Highway Authority and CDA briefed the prime minister about the project.

It was highlighted that initially 30 buses would be run on the 24-kilometre-long track from Peshawar Morr to Islamabad International Airport, while 15 buses will be taken from Punjab Mass Transit Authority, Rawalpindi till the new fleet is added to the metro service.

The prime minister was informed that the CDA was temporarily operating on behalf of the government, while a separate Metro Bus Authority was required to be formulated.

Buses will be covered in orange skin for route coding. The NHA to N5 station will take 6-8 minutes and from N5 to the airport around 25-30 minutes. The shuttle service will be run at a stretch of 11 kilometres.

Sharing pictures of PM Shehbaz’s visit, Marriyum Aurangzeb, in a tweet, said the premier had given directives to run free of cost metro bus service during the month of Ramadan. She said the previous rulers were making the excuse of “foreign conspiracy” to cover up their incompetence and corruption

https://www.geo.tv/latest/411383-is...-sharif-orders-first-inquiry-against-pti-govt

 

[MenInG]

The Karachi Orange Line performance watch

After more than five years of ground-breaking of Orange Line bus rapid transit service (BRTS) in 2016, the Sindh government on Friday announced completion of its structure, but added that the service would still take more time to start as supply of 20 buses to ply on the 3.8 kilometres route and an automated ticketing system from the Centre were still awaited.

The fresh development emerged during a meeting chaired by Sindh Information and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on BRTS projects in which he was briefed about the status of the two schemes — Orange Line and Red Line.

“The construction and civil work on Orange Line project is almost 98 per cent completed,” said a statement issued after the meeting.

The minister, the statement said, directed the officials concerned to fix all issues and make the project 100 per cent ready within a month.

“I want this civil work and remaining construction issues fixed within a month,” the statement quoted Mr Memon as saying.

“Hundreds of thousands of residents of Orangi Town and adjoining areas will benefit from this project. There shall be a better coordination between the provincial transport department and the SIDCL [Sindh Infrastructure Development Co. Limited] so the remaining issues can be resolved at the earliest.”

Launched in 2016, the Sindh government’s Orange Line — which has been renamed after Abdul Sattar Edhi as the Abdul Sattar Edhi Line — is second in the line under the BRT for Karachi to offer its services after the federal government’s Green Line service, which was inaugurated by the federal government in December 2021.

Known as Karachi Breeze, some 112.9 kilometres long BRT projects are in place for Karachi through five dedicated lines.

However, so far only one of five lines — Green Line — has been started.

Work on the more than two billion rupees project of Orange Line was being carried out by the Sindh government.

However, two key components of the project — supply of buses and an automated ticketing system — are to be supplied by the federally-administered SIDCL.

Sources in the Sindh government said that the federal organisation had already made the payment for the procurement of 20 buses for the Orange Line and the cost of the automated ticketing system.

However, they said, the status of the buses was still unknown and despite almost completion of its structure, the authorities were not in the position to predict the launch date of the service.

When contacted, Mr Memon, who recently got the additional portfolio of transport, said he would take up the matter with the federal government for early supply of buses and the automated ticketing system.

“I would talk to Mr Ahsan Iqbal [Minister for Planning and Development] so he takes it up with the SIDCL,” he told Dawn. “We are almost ready. Our 98 per cent job is done. I am visiting the route and site tomorrow [Saturday] with my team. I hope the federal government would look into our request seriously and make early supply of 20 buses for the route possible.”

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2022

 

[MenInG]

Karachi: PPP leader Sharjeel Memon has announced the arrival of 49 buses to be used in the Orange line public transport project at the Karachi port.

According to details, the buses to be used in the Sindh government’s orange line project reached Karachi port on Wednesday.

Karachi Port Trust sources have said that the buses are currently on birth 11 of MV Louis cargo ship. The buses will be offloaded from the ship within 2 to 3 hours, KTP sources say.

PPP leader Sharjeel Memon announced the arrival of the buses on his Twitter account.

Sharjeel Memon congratulated the people of Karachi in his tweet and wrote, “CONGRATULATIONS KARACHI. COMPLETE FLEET OF ORANGE LINE BRT ( ABDUL SATTAR EDHI LINE ) AND 49 BUSSES ( FIRST PHASE ) FOR INTRA DISTRICT PEOPLE’S BUS SERVICE REACHED KARACHI PORT. THE REMAINING BUSES ARE ON THE WAY WHICH WILL REACH IN DIFFERENT PHASES WITHIN ONE MONTH.”

https://arynews.tv/good-news-for-karachi-as-49-orange-line-buses-reach-port/

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday asked Karachi businessmen to devise a plan for an investment of $1 billion dollars from Saudi Arabia.

Addressing a ceremony at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry during a one-day trip to the metropolitan city, the premier touched on a number of topics, including the recent import ban and the economic crisis.

"One billion dollars is available, it is a gift of investment from Saudi Arabia. As the prime minister, I am laying this in front of you. Sit together and brainstorm and make a feasibility plan. Set up a desalination plant and I believe that clean water will be available at every home within five years," he told the businessmen.

"Now it is up to you. This investment is available. It is on the table," he said, adding that he had told Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on the flight over to Karachi that he wanted to use the funds for the city.

He said that the Saudis had stated that were waiting for viable investment opportunities in Pakistan.

During his emphatic speech, PM Shehbaz also criticised the former PTI government and held it responsible for the current economic crisis.

Talking about the dollar, he said that the greenback was at Rs115 in August 2018 and had soared to Rs189 when he took his oath of office on April 11. "We (the government) had nothing to do with the Rs60-65 increase."

He went on to say that the dollar fell by Rs8 when he assumed office while the stock market also soared by almost 1,000 points.

Emphasising that he was not "going into any political point-scoring", the prime minister said that the previous government had deceased petrol prices when it suspected that the no-confidence motion would be successful.

He questioned the timing of the relief provided in the form of the fuel subsidy, saying that oil prices were the highest they had ever been globally and that Pakistan was burdened with debt. He called on the participants to tell him about any project the former government had executed with "seriousness" in the country which was related to the economy, agriculture or society.

He also lamented the support given to the "beloved" former government and its prime minister by the "powers that be" — a reference to the military establishment.

"In our 75-year history, nobody has and will ever receive the same support [...] If any of our governments had received even 30 per cent of the same support, Pakistan's trajectory would have shot up like a rocket."

He also questioned why citizens were facing loadshedding once again, asking whether it was due to "political instability or the worst corruption, incompetence and lack of planning?"

PM Shehbaz also defended his decision to ban non-essential luxury goods, saying that it would help the country's dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

"Why did I curb imports? The answer is simple [...] those who are fortunate are able to order things from abroad while the poor are unable to buy roti, daal."

He maintained that the ban had only been imposed for some time. "The immediate purpose was to save foreign exchange so that the dollar stabilises and we can finance our essential needs," he said, giving the example of edible oil.

"If difficult times are here, then we will have to give sacrifices and those who are fortunate will be the first in line," he said, adding that the ban would also help local industries.


DAWN

 

[Abstraction1]

"If difficult times are here, then we will have to give sacrifices and those who are fortunate will be the first in line," he said, adding that the ban would also help local industries.

Does that mean the Shareef and Bhutto/dynasties well relinquish their ill-gotten gains are replenish the nations coffers?

Perhaps they can auction their properties in London, Switzerland and Manhattan?