Progress and public welfare: Funds for Karachi to serve as significant milestone: Sharjeel

KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that the Sindh government has allocated substantial funds for the development of Karachi in the budget for the financial year 2026-27, which will serve as a significant milestone for the city’s progress and public welfare.

In a statement, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that Karachi is the economic lifeline of Pakistan, and the Pakistan Peoples Party government has always prioritized the needs of this city. He said that the Sindh government is actively pursuing its vision of transforming Karachi into a modern, developed and world-class metropolis.

He said that mega projects such as the Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway will play a vital role in addressing Karachi’s traffic challenges and improving urban connectivity. Similarly, the Karachi Port to Qayyumabad Corridor project will further enhance the flow of port and commercial traffic, thereby promoting business and economic activities.

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sindh government is undertaking transformative initiatives in Karachi’s transport sector. Under the People’s Bus Service, modern electric and double-decker buses are already providing improved travel facilities to citizens, while the procurement process for 500 EV buses is underway in the first phase of the 1,000 Electric Buses Project. He said that these initiatives will provide environmentally friendly, comfortable and affordable transportation to the public.

Sharjeel Inam Memon said that special attention has also been given in the budget to strengthening local government institutions and improving urban services in Karachi. Approximately Rs 13 billion has been allocated to enhance the financial stability of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). In addition, Rs 1.5 billion has been earmarked for repair and maintenance works across the city, while Rs 500 million has been allocated for the cleaning of rainwater and storm water drains to minimize public inconvenience during the monsoon season.

He said that the Sindh government is also committed to preserving Karachi’s historical heritage, and the restoration of Empress Market is a practical manifestation of this commitment. Furthermore, work is underway on various development projects aimed at improving civic amenities, parks, sports facilities, roads and digital governance across the city.

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that significant investments are being made in a range of development initiatives to make Karachi a more business-friendly city. These include the Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme, the rehabilitation of roads in the SITE Industrial Area and several other infrastructure projects designed to support economic growth and improve urban living.

Sharjeel Inam Memon said that in the health sector, resources have also been allocated for the expansion and upgradation of major institutions in Karachi, including NICVD, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), SIUT and the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN), so that citizens can continue to receive free, world-class healthcare services.

He said that the budget for the financial year 2026-27 reflects a commitment to Karachi’s brighter future through modern infrastructure, improved transport, effective local government services and public welfare initiatives. The Sindh government will continue its efforts to provide lasting solutions to the city’s challenges and improve the quality of life for its residents.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026