KARACHI: Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, inaugurated the newly completed Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway and commenced the extension project linking Qayyumabad to Karachi Port. This development is expected to enhance urban mobility and economic connectivity in Karachi, according to a press release from the Sindh Chief Minister’s office.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, the inauguration ceremony was held at Kathore Interchange near the M-9 Motorway, where the expressway, a 39-kilometre six-lane controlled-access corridor, was officially opened. The project, completed at a cost of Rs54.814 billion, includes several interchanges, toll plazas, and other infrastructure aimed at reducing travel time and traffic congestion.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized the significance of the project for Karachi’s future, highlighting its role in improving connectivity and supporting economic growth. He stated that the expressway would not only ease traffic but also serve as a new economic corridor supporting trade and industrial activities.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah remarked that the expressway would drastically improve mobility and save travel time, reflecting the Sindh government’s commitment to modernizing Karachi’s road network. The extension project, spanning approximately 16.5 kilometres from Jam Sadiq Bridge to Karachi Port, is expected to further enhance connectivity and facilitate commercial activities.

The Karachi Port extension corridor, estimated to cost Rs64.20 billion, aims to reduce congestion on existing roads and improve logistics efficiency. It is anticipated to handle over 10,000 vehicles daily upon completion.

The inauguration event saw attendance from provincial ministers, elected representatives, government officials, and leading businessmen, who lauded the project as a transformative step for Karachi’s infrastructure development.