Karachi: Development activities have formally commenced in the SITE Super Highway industrial area with special financial assistance provided by the Sindh government. The ongoing projects are expected to be completed before December 15, with the initiative aimed at improving basic infrastructure and creating a more conducive environment for industrial and commercial activities.
According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Karimullah Waqasi, Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and spokesperson for the Mayor of Karachi, said that the Sindh government has allocated a special grant of Rs11.25 billion for seven industrial zones across Karachi. He said the funds have already been transferred to the respective accounts of the industrial areas, enabling development work to proceed according to local requirements and priorities.
He said Rs700 million has specifically been transferred for the SITE Super Highway industrial area. According to him, the funding will facilitate the execution of essential development schemes and address infrastructure-related issues affecting industrial activities in the area.
The spokesperson said an important aspect of the initiative is that industrialists themselves have been given the authority to determine development priorities in their respective areas. He termed the arrangement a unique example in Pakistan, under which the government has provided funds while allowing representatives of the industrial sector to identify the projects most urgently required.
Karimullah Waqasi said industrialists are directly familiar with the problems faced by businesses and workers in these areas; therefore, their involvement in deciding development priorities can help ensure that available resources are directed towards genuine needs. He added that this approach can also improve coordination between government institutions and the industrial sector.
He emphasized that Karachi’s industrial zones play a vital role in economic activity, employment generation and revenue collection. Therefore, improving roads, infrastructure and other essential facilities in these areas is directly linked with strengthening industrial operations and promoting economic growth.
Regarding heavy traffic, the spokesperson said large and heavy vehicles should use available alternative routes instead of passing through densely populated parts of the city wherever possible. He said unnecessary movement of heavy traffic through urban areas increases congestion and places additional pressure on roads and other infrastructure.
Speaking about the use of the Lyari Expressway by heavy vehicles, Karimullah Waqasi said the matter should be resolved through consultation among all relevant stakeholders. He stressed that a practical solution must be developed that protects industrial transportation needs while minimizing traffic pressure and inconvenience for residents.
He said the development programme for industrial areas should be completed within the announced timeframe so that businesses can benefit from improved infrastructure and better transportation facilities. He added that effective coordination between the government, municipal authorities and industrial representatives would be essential for achieving the desired results.