Public-Private Partnership Powers Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Bhutto Project

KARACHI, Pakistan — In a significant milestone for Karachi’s infrastructure development, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurated Shahrah-e-Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Shahrah-e-Bhutto), a project he described as the embodiment of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s visionary Karachi Package announced in the mid-1990s. The new corridor aims to tackle the city’s chronic congestion and set the stage for a more modern and efficient urban landscape.

The Shahrah-e-Bhutto stretches 9.1 kilometers, connecting the Shaheed-e-Millat Expressway at Qayumabad to the Shah Faisal Interchange. This thoroughfare forms part of a broader 38.75-kilometer expressway project, which is slated for full completion by 2025. Designed as a high-speed, access-controlled corridor, the project is expected to slash commute times dramatically, reducing journeys that once took over an hour to just 25 minutes. Furthermore, the road will enhance trade logistics and offer a safer, streamlined route for heavy traffic, particularly to and from the Karachi Port Trust.

The project, which carries a price tag of Rs. 54.7 billion, highlights the effectiveness of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Sindh Government has contributed Rs. 31.3 billion, underscoring its commitment to infrastructure improvement. Chief Minister Shah emphasized that the initiative is more than a road—it represents a critical lifeline for Karachi’s future, promising hope, progress, and enhanced connectivity. He also noted that no residents were displaced during the construction process, a point of pride for the government’s commitment to safeguarding citizen welfare.

Looking ahead, Shah announced plans to further extend the Shahrah-e-Bhutto corridor, linking Karachi Port to Korangi. He urged local investors to support these transformative initiatives, pledging expedited completion timelines and a vision to make Karachi a model for urban development in Pakistan.

In addition to road infrastructure, the Chief Minister addressed the pressing issue of Karachi’s water scarcity. He assured citizens that the government is working to bring an additional 400 million gallons per day (MGD) of water to the city, a move that promises to significantly ease the burden on Karachi’s growing population.

The Shahrah-e-Bhutto inauguration marks a pivotal step toward modernizing Karachi, signaling a commitment to addressing its infrastructure and urban challenges while laying the groundwork for a more connected and prosperous future.