PM Imran announces setting up new 'Karachi Master Plan 2047'

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday night announced the decision to set up a new master plan for the country's economic and industrial hub, naming it 'Karachi Master Plan 2047.'

According to sources present at a meeting that Khan attended, the newly-set-up Karachi Transformation Committee present the Karachi Package to Khan.

The premier acknowledged that he had an idea that Karachi faces numerous issues. The government will resolve people's mega problems, he said, adding that he has formed a committee for the issues to be solved soon.

A decision was also made to release Rs8 billion to resume the Green Line buses, the sources added. Further, Khan announced to hike the Karachi Development Package to Rs102 billion and accepted the suggestions to set up District West and a Korangi University.

It was also decided during the meeting that the Lyari Expressway would be opened for heavy traffic, sources informed, and that a special fund — worth Rs2 billion — would be released to improve the traffic in Karachi.

In addition, it was agreed that help would be sought from the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) with regard to the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR).

With regard to power, there is a plan to set up 200 solar reverse osmosis (RO) plants for six districts in Karachi, the sources explained. Another project to set up a 5-million-gallons-per-day (MGD) water RO plant in District West was also agreed upon.

The federal government will also set up a water management department at the NED University of Engineering and Technology. On the other hand, a treatment plant will be installed to make the water in Korangi usable for the residents of the area.

The government will further pay 50 percent of the new forecasted expenditure of the K-IV water project, sources said.

With regard to the transporters in the metropolis, a decision was made to introduce a new scheme, which would allow easy bank loans, the sources informed, adding that 500 transporters will be given loans for 500 news buses.

The loan term for transporters will be six years and the federal government has taken the responsibility to pay the interest in this regard, the sources noted.

Separately, the PM advised members of the national and provincial assemblies that they are obligated to attend calls and that Sindh Governor Imran Ismail should not abandon the MPAs.

They should also attend the Ghotki gathering today (Saturday), sources quoted Khan as saying.