Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved PKR 9.282 billion for the urgent repair and maintenance of roads and allied infrastructure across Karachi’s industrial areas. The funding is aimed at improving logistics, reducing business costs, and strengthening the city’s industrial base.
The decision was taken during a meeting with representatives of the city’s industrial associations, including the Korangi Association of Trade & Industry (KATI), Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE), Bin Qasim Association of Trade & Industry (BQATI), Landhi Association of Trade & Industry (LATI), North Karachi Association of Trade & Industry (NKATI), and F.B. Area Association of Trade & Industry.
Under the approved package, funds have been allocated as follows:
SITE Association of Trade & Industry – PKR 2 billion
SITE Superhighway (both phases) – PKR 700 million
North Karachi Association of Trade & Industry (NKATI) – PKR 721.74 million
F.B. Area Association of Trade & Industry – PKR 860.55 million
Landhi Association of Trade & Industry (LATI) – PKR 2 billion
Korangi Association of Trade & Industry (KATI), including Pakistan Tanners Association – PKR 2 billion
Bin Qasim Association of Trade & Industry (BQATI) – PKR 1 billion
The chief minister directed that the development work should start from Monday and be completed within six months, allowing for a future development package for other industrial areas. He stated that the scheme would be financed through the Infrastructure Development Cess collected by the Excise & Taxation Department, a large portion of which comes from Karachi’s industrial zones.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Industries Jam Ikram Dharejo, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, and senior representatives of the industrial associations. Industrialists emphasised that execution and disbursement of funds should be handled through a grant-in-aid rather than the Annual Development Programme to ensure faster implementation.
Murad Ali Shah highlighted the importance of improving infrastructure in industrial zones, noting that it is essential for enhancing productivity, boosting exports, generating employment, and restoring investor confidence in Karachi. The meeting concluded with consensus that timely rehabilitation of industrial infrastructure will significantly benefit businesses and facilitate smoother logistics across the city’s industrial areas.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
