Shahrah-e-Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the new name for the Malir Expressway, is not just a project but a complement to Benazir Bhutto’s forward-thinking Karachi Package, which she announced in 1994-95 to introduce the Lyari and Malir Expressway. was The aim is to decongest Karachi and modernize its infrastructure.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said this while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Shahrah-e Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Bhutto Highway) on behalf of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. All provincial ministers, MNAs, MPAs and local body representatives participated in the event.
“The unplanned development of the city necessitated the initiation of mega projects to deal with the situation created by Musharraf’s Local Government Order, which the PPP government had no effect on,” the chief minister said.
He added that the Shah Faisal Intersection, an important part of the much-anticipated Shahrah Bhutto, was inaugurated by Bilawal, a major milestone in Karachi’s journey towards urban modernization.
The Chief Minister hailed the partial inauguration of the 9.1-km section of Bhutto Highway stretching from Shaheed Millat Expressway to Shah Faisal Interchange in Qayyumabad as a transformative step for the city.
The Chief Minister said, “This access-controlled, high-speed corridor is designed to revolutionize the urban landscape of Karachi, providing immediate relief to commuters and setting the stage for the completion of the entire 38.75 km expressway by 2025. is.”
Shah said that Shahrah Bhutto was more than a road. He said that it is a lifeline for the future of Karachi, and it represents progress, hope and a brighter tomorrow for the people of Sindh.
He explained that Benazir’s package in the 1990s introduced the Lyari and Malir expressways to deal with Karachi’s growing congestion and modernize its infrastructure. The Chief Minister acknowledged his vision and paid tribute to his legacy which laid the foundation for Karachi’s urban transformation.
Shah said the Shahrah Bhutto project, costing Rs 54.7 billion, is a shining example of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework, with the Sindh government contributing Rs 31.3 billion, while private equity and commercial Includes loans. Aram added that such collaborations indicate Sindh’s ability to attract private investment for public welfare.
He said Shahrah Bhutto would reduce the travel time from one hour to just 25 minutes to serve as an alternative to Shaara Faisal to connect industrial zones to important locations. He added that the expressway will improve trade and logistics, and provide a safer and more efficient route for heavy traffic to the Karachi Port Trust.
The Chief Minister said that it has been ensured that no resident is displaced due to the construction of the expressway as the government is committed to the welfare of its citizens.
He said that PPP has continued infrastructure construction projects including Hyderabad Mirpurkhas Dual Carriageway, Sir Aga Khan Jhark-Malaktiyar Bridge, Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge which was the longest bridge on Indus River, and Nabisar-Vijehar Water Works Project included. This will support Thar Block-1 power plants and reduce national energy cost.
Talking about Karachi, Shah highlighted several infrastructure projects that his government had completed, including various roads, underpasses and flyovers. He mentioned key initiatives such as the 100-bed municipal hospital, which is ready for inauguration, and the garbage transfer station currently under construction.
The Chief Minister assured the citizens of the province of his determination to complete the projects before the scheduled time. He announced that we will build a Karachi that inspires the nation and leads by example.
Shah invited the prominent local investors to participate in the important projects being launched by the provincial government under the public-private partnership model. He encouraged them to contribute to the development of the city. He also promised to bring an additional 400 million gallons of water to Karachi per day to meet the city’s growing water needs.