Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047: Nasir Shah briefed about current progress

KARACHI: The second meeting of the Project Steering Committee for the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047 was held at the Sindh Secretariat under the chairmanship of Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, along with Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Haider Shah.

During the meeting, the minister for local government was given a detailed briefing on the current progress of the project and the implementation of the decisions taken in the first Project Steering Committee meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Nasir Hussain Shah stated that with the cooperation of all concerned authorities, the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047 will bring revolutionary changes to the urban, environmental, and economic structure of Karachi. He emphasised that the planning process should be finalised in consultation with all stakeholders, land-owning agencies, and utility service providers.

The plan should include short-term, medium-term, and long-term actionable strategies.

Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Haider Shah, while addressing the meeting, said that multiple agencies are working in Karachi, and no single entity can operate in isolation. The final report must be prepared with complete accuracy and with inputs from KDA, MDA, LDA, Cantonment Boards, and DHA. He stressed the need for an immediate action plan to address traffic congestion, which cannot wait until the final report expected in June 2027. He added that the Karachi Water Corporation is already laying new pipelines to ensure additional water supply, which must be integrated into the planning framework.

The Chief Secretary expressed concern that whenever a new road is built, utility agencies begin excavation work without proper coordination or planning, which must be addressed under the new regional plan.

An international consultant also briefed the Minister for Local Government on key areas including urban planning, infrastructure development, transport, environment, water management, and housing, providing an overview of the current progress and the roadmap ahead.

Additional Chief Secretary for Local Government Dr Waseem Shamshad highlighted that the Greater Karachi Plan is a vital initiative, and close coordination with federal institutions will ensure comprehensive planning and the development of a model city. He added that this plan has been designed keeping in view the megacity’s long-term developmental goals, aiming to transform Karachi into a modern, sustainable, and livable megacity.

The Minister for Local Government directed all relevant departments to prioritise work on the project. He reaffirmed that the Sindh Government is fully committed to providing the citizens of Karachi with improved municipal facilities, modern urban planning, a clean environment, and a better quality of life, all of which are part of the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary Planning & Development Department, DG KDA, DG LDA, DG SBCA, DG Master Plan, representatives from KPT, DHA, Pakistan Railways, NED University, Dawood University, Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, Habib University, IBA, and other relevant departments and institutions.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025