Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal Urges Sindh Government to Focus on Karachi’s Infrastructure

Karachi: Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, emphasized the importance of improving Karachi’s infrastructure, describing the city as Pakistan’s economic and financial hub. During a media briefing after meeting with members of the Pakistan Business Council, he urged the provincial government to prioritize the city’s infrastructure, particularly the K-IV water supply project, and play its part in the implementation of the initiative.
Iqbal stated that the federal government is investing 125 billion rupees into the K-IV project and expects the Sindh government to contribute its share of the work. He stressed the need for better collaboration between the federal and provincial governments to address the city’s growing infrastructure challenges.
Highlighting Karachi’s role as the economic engine of the country, Iqbal called for enhanced facilities and support for businesses. He also revealed that the federal government has allocated 5 billion rupees for the construction of roads in the SITE Area, with further investment planned to improve the city’s overall infrastructure.
The federal minister also discussed the broader national economic development strategy, emphasizing the crucial role of the corporate sector. He noted that due to crises, the capacity of the public sector to attract investment has decreased, making it necessary for the private sector to serve as the engine for growth.
Iqbal further pointed out that the federal government has initiated programs to enhance the IT skills of youth and stated that the corporate sector will be instrumental in achieving the country’s sustainable development goals. He also underlined the importance of addressing environmental issues and working with the corporate sector to meet global standards on climate change.
Regarding water management, Iqbal stressed the need for recycling wastewater in Karachi, suggesting it could be used for agriculture and industrial purposes instead of being discharged untreated into the sea. He mentioned that properly treated water could be sufficient for the city’s industries.
In terms of other infrastructure projects, Iqbal confirmed that the federal government had completed the Green Line project with an investment of 25 billion rupees. Additionally, work on the Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway is expected to begin in 2025, and the new alignment for the Hyderabad-Karachi motorway is already being worked on.
Iqbal concluded by reiterating the federal government’s commitment to improving Karachi’s infrastructure and fostering a supportive environment for business growth.