Sindh CM Unveils World Bank-Supported Master Plan for Karachi’s Growth

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday acknowledged that Karachi’s unplanned expansion has created major challenges but said his government, with World Bank support, is rolling out a comprehensive master plan to tackle them.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Mazar-e-Quaid on the 77th death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the chief minister said the plan covers key areas such as transport, electricity, water supply, drainage, waste management, and overall urban development. He was accompanied by cabinet members, who joined him in laying a floral wreath and offering prayers.

Shah stressed the need for human-centric solutions to address rapid and unregulated growth. Referring to his recent visit to the Lyari River, he noted the presence of multiple informal settlements and emphasized that protecting residents from displacement without adequate resources remains a top priority.

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He also pointed to ongoing infrastructure upgrades, highlighting the Shahrah-e-Bhutto project—a 39-kilometre highway connecting Qayyumabad to the M9 Motorway. Work is underway on 37 kilometres of the highway and a 2-kilometre link road, with 15 kilometres already opened for traffic.

According to Shah, retaining walls have been built to resolve water pressure issues along the route, with progress being directly monitored by him. The Rs52 billion project is being executed under a public-private partnership involving developers, engineers, financial institutions, and project managers.

The chief minister reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to sustainable growth, stating that development initiatives are being carefully planned to benefit both Karachi and its residents.