Sharjeel visits Red Line BRT project: Work on mixed traffic lane continuing day in, day out

KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon visited the Red Line BRT project, where CEO Trans Karachi Zubair Channa, engineers, consultants, and other concerned officials were also present. The senior minister was given a detailed briefing by Red Line BRT officials regarding the ongoing work and progress on the project.

Talking to the media on the occasion, Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon said that construction work on the mixed traffic lane is continuing day and night, while the FWO is working with great speed and efficiency on Lot 2. He said that mixed traffic on University Road has become a serious issue; however, utility-related problems are being resolved in a phased manner.

He said that Karachi is the busiest and most densely populated city in Pakistan, where work on development projects is more difficult and complicated compared to other cities. Sharjeel Inam Memon said that utilities cannot be shifted in a single day, as the process may affect millions of people, while various difficulties also arise during development work in densely populated areas.

He said that large-scale development activities are underway across Sindh and rapid progress is being made on several mega projects. Work is also progressing swiftly on modern, state-of-the-art hospitals, universities, and other public welfare projects in Karachi. He admitted that work at some locations took longer than expected, for which the government apologizes; however, this BRT project will prove to be a long-term facility from which people will benefit for years to come.

He said that the government’s top priority is to provide modern and quality facilities to the people of the city. He added that while criticism continues, the government remains focused on the timely and quality completion of projects. Sharjeel Inam Memon said that buses, Pink Buses, and electric scooters have already been introduced, while the EV taxi scheme will also be launched soon to provide maximum relief to the public in the transport sector.

He said there are clear instructions from Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari to provide maximum facilities to the people, while the Chief Minister of Sindh is also visiting development projects every week.

In response to a question, Sharjeel Inam Memon said that his current focus is not on elections but on public development projects, while political discussions will take place once elections are officially announced. He said that today, Sunday, relevant authorities are present in the field on various projects, while inspections of the Yellow Line BRT and Shahrah-e-Bhutto are also underway.

He said that those who wish to engage in politics and criticism may continue to do so; however, the government’s top priority remains public development projects. In response to another question, he said that the government is making every effort to launch the BRT bus service as soon as possible. He added that considerable leniency has been shown in this regard; however, if any institution or individual fails to perform its duties, the government will take necessary action.

Responding to a question regarding drugs, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that addiction is a highly dangerous and serious challenge that, as a nation, has not been addressed with the seriousness it deserves. He clarified that this responsibility lies not only with the government but with the entire nation. He said that drug-related problems also exist in countries where strict punishments, including the death penalty, are enforced.

He said that a person addicted to drugs affects the entire family, while the Sindh government and the Narcotics Control Department are working seriously on the issue. He added that several prominent names have emerged in this matter, but they do not want to ridicule or target anyone. He said that some people on social media turn the issue into a spectacle, although addiction affects not just an individual but the entire family.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026