Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah addressed the business community at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), reaffirming the provincial government's commitment to enhancing infrastructure and public services across Sindh. This aligns with the vision of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The event was attended by the Secretary of Local Government, CEO of Water Corporation, Managing Director of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, Director General of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), and other senior officials.
Nasir Shah informed industrialists and business leaders that the ongoing Shahrah-e-Bhutto project and other mega development schemes will bring significant benefits to both citizens and the business community. He noted that KATI had submitted various development proposals, which the Sindh government is considering. Development projects worth around Rs2 trillion are currently underway in Karachi, with schemes worth Rs9 billion being executed in Korangi. Major road infrastructure projects have been handed over to the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), and work is progressing on more than 109 roads across various towns of Karachi. Additionally, work has commenced on approximately 40 small and large road projects in the city.
The minister highlighted the government's focus on water supply for industrial areas, with separate funds amounting to Rs9 billion allocated for industrial development, including Rs2 billion specifically for Korangi. Work is also progressing on TP-4 to improve water availability for industries. He directed Water Corporation officials to ensure uninterrupted water supply at the KATI office and surrounding industrial areas. Karachi receives water from distant sources, and the government is working on multiple projects to improve supply and distribution.
Regarding infrastructure development, Nasir Shah mentioned that construction of the Azeempura Flyover is continuing and will help ease traffic congestion. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has engaged with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank regarding progress on the Yellow Line project. The minister urged the business community to provide constructive proposals on issues related to the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) and other departments.
Nasir Shah emphasized that Karachi is widely recognized as Pakistan's economic hub, yet all responsibilities are often placed solely on the Sindh government. He questioned why Sindh receives only three to four percent of the PSDP allocation, which has now declined to around one to two percent, despite the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the NFC Award distributing powers and resources among provinces. The devastating floods of 2010 and 2022 severely damaged Sindh's infrastructure, but the provincial government continues to invest heavily in reconstruction and development.
Commenting on politics, Nasir Shah said the Pakistan Peoples Party won public confidence in the 2013, 2018, and 2024 elections and expressed confidence that the party would secure an even stronger mandate from Karachi in the 2029 general elections. The business community highlighted various civic and industrial issues during the session, and the minister assured participants that the Sindh government would continue working to improve infrastructure, facilitate industrial growth, and provide better civic amenities across Karachi.
