In a significant meeting at CM House in Karachi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah discussed the progress of various federal government-initiated projects in the province, with a mutual commitment to accelerating their completion.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his visit and the attention given to the progress and challenges of the federal-funded development projects in Sindh. Highlighting ongoing provincial efforts, CM Shah mentioned that, with the assistance of donor agencies, the Sindh government has initiated work on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line and Yellow Line projects. The Red Line project is progressing rapidly, while the Yellow Line project is set to begin soon. The CM emphasized that the solution to Karachi’s traffic issues would be significantly advanced once the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project is underway.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reassured the Chief Minister that the federal government is actively collaborating with Chinese authorities to include the KCR as a priority project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Prime Minister stressed the importance of the KCR project and confirmed that it would be launched with Chinese assistance shortly.
The meeting also addressed the critical issue of rising electricity costs, which have caused widespread public concern. Both leaders agreed to convert all coal-fired power projects to utilize Thar coal, aiming to reduce production costs and provide financial relief to the public. The Prime Minister affirmed his government’s commitment to leveraging indigenous energy resources, including coal and renewable energy, as more cost-effective solutions for the country’s energy needs.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah informed the Prime Minister about his government’s plan to distribute 200,000 Solar Home Systems (SHS) to impoverished households living off-grid or consuming a maximum of 100 units per month, aiming to alleviate their electricity costs.
The K-IV water supply project was another focal point of discussion. CM Shah outlined the ongoing work by WAPDA on the K-IV canal and conduit, while the Sindh government is responsible for the augmentation works. The Prime Minister committed to instructing WAPDA to expedite the canal and related structures’ construction, ensuring both the federal and provincial components are completed simultaneously.
Additionally, CM Shah briefed the Prime Minister on the Hub Canal project, which involves overhauling the existing canal and constructing a new one to bring 200 million gallons per day (MGD) of water to Karachi’s western, Keamari, and central districts. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for this vital initiative.
The meeting also covered the proposed 105-kilometer railway line from Thar Coal fields to Chhor, intended to facilitate the transportation of coal for power plants and industrial use across the country. Both leaders agreed to expedite the necessary documentation to move the project forward.
Earlier, upon the Prime Minister’s arrival at CM House, he was received by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif, and Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon.
