Sindh government has approved a set of large-scale urban development and infrastructure projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, including the launch of 500 electric buses for Karachi and Hyderabad. The decision was made during the 48th meeting of the PPP Policy Board chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at CM House, Karachi. The projects, which also include the construction of a 16.5-kilometre elevated expressway from Karachi Port to Qayyumabad, are aimed at improving urban mobility, easing congestion, and promoting environmental sustainability across the province. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, and Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, alongside senior officials such as Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah and Chairman of the Planning and Development Board Najam Shah.
Among the approved initiatives, the People’s Green Transport Project will introduce 500 electric buses in phases across Karachi and Hyderabad. The project includes setting up modern depots, charging infrastructure, bus shelters, automated fare collection systems, and an integrated transport management network. Implemented under a Design-Build-Finance-Maintain-Operate-Transfer (DBFMOT) model with a 12-year concession, the initiative is projected to serve over 200,000 passengers daily. It will also align with the existing Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to ensure seamless connectivity between routes. Officials described the decision as a meaningful step toward cleaner public transport and enhanced commuter convenience.
The PPP Board also cleared the construction of a 16.5-kilometre elevated expressway connecting Karachi Port’s East Wharf to Jam Sadiq Interchange at Qayyumabad. Designed as a four-lane freight corridor, the expressway is expected to reduce travel distance by 26 kilometres, cut congestion across key city arteries, and strengthen connectivity between Karachi Port, Shahrah-e-Bhutto, and the M-9 Motorway. The Chief Minister instructed officials to complete pre-construction formalities promptly so that groundwork could begin without delay. The project will include a 10-year minimum revenue guarantee from the provincial government to ensure operational sustainability. Adjustments were also approved to align the expressway with the Yellow Line BRT route and to reduce land acquisition challenges.
In addition to transport and infrastructure projects, the board reviewed and approved revisions to the operational budget of the Sindh Government Children’s Hospital in North Karachi. The tenth-year budget, amounting to Rs738.65 million with an additional Rs95.12 million for capital expenditure, was sanctioned to maintain quality healthcare services in the final year of its contract. The board further endorsed a large-scale afforestation initiative spanning 41,000 hectares in Jamshoro and Matiari districts. Implemented under the PPP framework, the project aims to generate an estimated 35 to 40 million carbon credits for sale in global markets, supporting Sindh’s environmental and economic goals. The Forest Department was authorised to issue award letters to successful bidders and to engage the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a feasibility study on a proposed 88,000-hectare riverine forestry project.
These initiatives collectively reflect Sindh’s efforts to adopt sustainable partnerships that modernise its urban infrastructure, enhance public services, and contribute to environmental restoration. Through the combination of electric mobility, efficient transport systems, and climate-focused initiatives, the province is moving toward an integrated framework that supports both development and sustainability under the PPP model.
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