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KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday announced a Rs162 billion project for the development of the country's economic and industrial hub Karachi.
Addressing a gathering during his two-visit to the city, the premier said, "We are allocating a Rs162 billion package for Karachi under which 18 projects will be worked on."
"The country cannot move forward till Karachi is developed. The whole country suffered because Karachi's development was halted," he said. Criticising the Sindh government, the premier said, "It was their responsibility to fix the situation in Karachi but after they emerged successful in interior Sindh, we all saw how they treated Karachi."
Stating that Karachi faces a major transport issue, the premier said, "Of the 18 projects, 10 will pertain to public transport while seven will be water projects."
"We are all aware of the issues regarding safe drinking water projects. We will have to start a water conversation campaign in the city," he added and said that a campaign to conserve water was never launched in the country.
PM Imran lamented, "When you look at Karachi it looks like a concrete slab has been placed. We will make green areas here."
Upholding that Karachi is "expanding", the premier said, "There is a need to stop the city from further expanding and to build high-rise buildings. Karachi has the most slums."
"Issues in Karachi are increasing owing to the growing population," the premier said.
"We will soon make a master plan for Karachi. It is now time to implement on the plan of action drafted for the city," he added.
Regarding the country's economic situation, the premier said, "Pakistan is going through a very difficult economic phase."
Earlier, sources said that PM Imran has announced the decision to set up a new master plan for the port city and named it 'Karachi Master Plan 2047'.
According to sources present at a meeting that PM Imran attended, the newly-set-up Karachi Transformation Committee present the Karachi Package to Khan.
The premier acknowledged that he had an idea that Karachi faces numerous issues. The government will resolve people's mega problems, he said, adding that he has formed a committee for the issues to be solved soon.
Traffic and the KCR
A decision was also made to release Rs8 billion to resume the Green Line buses, the sources added. Further, Khan announced to hike the Karachi Development Package to Rs102 billion and accepted the suggestions to set up District West and a Korangi University.
It was also decided during the meeting that the Lyari Expressway would be opened for heavy traffic, sources informed, and that a special fund — worth Rs2 billion — would be released to improve the traffic in Karachi.
In addition, it was agreed that help would be sought from the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) with regard to the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR).
New RO plants
Vehicle lights cause light streaks on a road in Karachi, Pakistan, Geo.tv/Files
With regard to power, there is a plan to set up 200 solar reverse osmosis (RO) plants for six districts in Karachi, the sources explained. Another project to set up a 5-million-gallons-per-day (MGD) water RO plant in District West was also agreed upon.
The federal government will also set up a water management department at the NED University of Engineering and Technology. On the other hand, a treatment plant will be installed to make the water in Korangi usable for the residents of the area.
The government will further pay 50 percent of the new forecasted expenditure of the K-IV water project, sources said.
Loans for transporters
With regard to the transporters in the metropolis, a decision was made to introduce a new scheme, which would allow easy bank loans, the sources informed, adding that 500 transporters will be given loans for 500 news buses.
The loan term for transporters will be six years and the federal government has taken the responsibility to pay the interest in this regard, the sources noted.
Separately, the PM advised members of the national and provincial assemblies that they are obligated to attend calls and that Sindh Governor Imran Ismail should not abandon the MPAs.
They should also attend the Ghotki gathering today (Saturday), sources quoted Khan as saying.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/232596-pm-announces-rs162-billion-package-for-karachi
Addressing a gathering during his two-visit to the city, the premier said, "We are allocating a Rs162 billion package for Karachi under which 18 projects will be worked on."
"The country cannot move forward till Karachi is developed. The whole country suffered because Karachi's development was halted," he said. Criticising the Sindh government, the premier said, "It was their responsibility to fix the situation in Karachi but after they emerged successful in interior Sindh, we all saw how they treated Karachi."
Stating that Karachi faces a major transport issue, the premier said, "Of the 18 projects, 10 will pertain to public transport while seven will be water projects."
"We are all aware of the issues regarding safe drinking water projects. We will have to start a water conversation campaign in the city," he added and said that a campaign to conserve water was never launched in the country.
PM Imran lamented, "When you look at Karachi it looks like a concrete slab has been placed. We will make green areas here."
Upholding that Karachi is "expanding", the premier said, "There is a need to stop the city from further expanding and to build high-rise buildings. Karachi has the most slums."
"Issues in Karachi are increasing owing to the growing population," the premier said.
"We will soon make a master plan for Karachi. It is now time to implement on the plan of action drafted for the city," he added.
Regarding the country's economic situation, the premier said, "Pakistan is going through a very difficult economic phase."
Earlier, sources said that PM Imran has announced the decision to set up a new master plan for the port city and named it 'Karachi Master Plan 2047'.
According to sources present at a meeting that PM Imran attended, the newly-set-up Karachi Transformation Committee present the Karachi Package to Khan.
The premier acknowledged that he had an idea that Karachi faces numerous issues. The government will resolve people's mega problems, he said, adding that he has formed a committee for the issues to be solved soon.
Traffic and the KCR
A decision was also made to release Rs8 billion to resume the Green Line buses, the sources added. Further, Khan announced to hike the Karachi Development Package to Rs102 billion and accepted the suggestions to set up District West and a Korangi University.
It was also decided during the meeting that the Lyari Expressway would be opened for heavy traffic, sources informed, and that a special fund — worth Rs2 billion — would be released to improve the traffic in Karachi.
In addition, it was agreed that help would be sought from the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) with regard to the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR).
New RO plants
Vehicle lights cause light streaks on a road in Karachi, Pakistan, Geo.tv/Files
With regard to power, there is a plan to set up 200 solar reverse osmosis (RO) plants for six districts in Karachi, the sources explained. Another project to set up a 5-million-gallons-per-day (MGD) water RO plant in District West was also agreed upon.
The federal government will also set up a water management department at the NED University of Engineering and Technology. On the other hand, a treatment plant will be installed to make the water in Korangi usable for the residents of the area.
The government will further pay 50 percent of the new forecasted expenditure of the K-IV water project, sources said.
Loans for transporters
With regard to the transporters in the metropolis, a decision was made to introduce a new scheme, which would allow easy bank loans, the sources informed, adding that 500 transporters will be given loans for 500 news buses.
The loan term for transporters will be six years and the federal government has taken the responsibility to pay the interest in this regard, the sources noted.
Separately, the PM advised members of the national and provincial assemblies that they are obligated to attend calls and that Sindh Governor Imran Ismail should not abandon the MPAs.
They should also attend the Ghotki gathering today (Saturday), sources quoted Khan as saying.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/232596-pm-announces-rs162-billion-package-for-karachi
