Projects Finalized Under Karachi Transformation Plan

On Thursday, various key ministers along with Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and Prime Minister Imran Khan were informed that over 100 projects, which are worth Rs.1.1 trillion, have been planned as part of the Karachi Transformation Plan (KTP). These have been planned to address the chronic infrastructure and municipal issues in the financial hub of the country. 

The Prime Minister also addressed the matter. He stressed that there was a dire need for the timely completion of all the projects. He urged the relevant authorities to come up with a permanent solution to the problems faced by Karachi. In his opinion, much of the damage caused in the metropolis by the rainwater during the monsoon season is because of the illegal construction on various nullahs everywhere. 

The rainy season in the year 2020 led to massive flooding in the City of Lights. The sewerage and drainage systems all over the city came into national focus. Dozens lost their lives because of the record-breaking monsoon rains and much devastation was caused. 

A high-level KTP meeting was called which was attended by various federal ministers. This included Faisal Vawda, Asad Umar, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Army Chief Gen Bajwa, and the adviser to the Prime Minister on matters related to finance, Dr. Abdul Hafeez. The meeting was chaired by Imran Khan himself. 

While the meeting was in process, the premier directed that there is a need to make alternative arrangements for all the deserving residents of the city, before the encroachments can be removed. He also instructed that a technical committee should be formed, supervised by the planning ministry. They were also told to formulate suggestions that could enhance the utility and capacity of the K-4 project.

This particular project has been developed to provide water to Karachi. All the attendees present at the meeting were informed that all the problem, no matter how big or small, will be completed in three phases. 

Meanwhile, Khan also chaired another meeting. It was on the Ravi Urban Development Authority (Ruda) and the Pakistan Island Development Authority (Pida). The Governor of Sindh, Imran Ismail, attended this meeting as well. Senior government officials and chairmen of the two authorities were also present. 

Additionally, representatives of a Dutch company, AWTEC, also showed up at the meeting. They showed interest in investing in some of the projects and proposed that a waste energy and desalination plant should be constructed in the city. This would require an investment of nearly $1.3 billion. 

AWTEC expressed that it was also interested in the establishment of a renewable energy plant in the city of Lahore and the Ravi Project as well. 

An official statement released informed that whatever technology that would be used in these projects, will be developed in the country. Thus, it will create employment opportunities and technology transfer in Pakistan. The statement added that the steam that will be generated from this project could also be utilized in industries.