Karachi Division

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi has directed all relevant civic and administrative authorities to accelerate coordinated anti-encroachment operations across the city, with a focus on clearing government land, improving traffic movement, and preventing further illegal occupation of public spaces.
The directives were issued during a review meeting on Thursday, where the commissioner instructed Deputy Commissioners, Town Municipal Administrations, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the Anti Encroachment Department, police, traffic police, and other concerned agencies to work jointly against encroachments in different parts of Karachi.
According to an official statement, Commissioner Naqvi emphasized that encroachments on government land and public roads not only violate the law but also create serious traffic problems for citizens. He ordered authorities to remove existing illegal structures and roadside setups while ensuring that cleared areas are not occupied again.
He further directed officials to take legal action against those involved in encroachments and to strictly enforce relevant laws against repeated violations. Deputy commissioners from various districts also presented progress reports on ongoing anti encroachment operations during the meeting.
As part of the continuing campaign, Assistant Commissioner Shah Faisal Colony Abdul Sami carried out an operation at Badal Goth near Shahrah e Bhutto, where four illegally constructed houses were demolished. The operation was conducted jointly by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s Anti-Encroachment Department, local police, traffic police, and operational staff from K-Electric to ensure smooth execution and avoid traffic disruption.
In District Korangi, Assistant Commissioner Model Colony Nade Ali led another operation from Malir Halt to Kala Board on the National Highway. With the support of municipal officials and police, authorities removed more than 15 fruit carts, juice stalls, and other roadside setups that were obstructing traffic flow.
Officials also warned encroachers that strict action would be taken in case of future violations, including fines and possible arrests.
Commissioner Karachi reiterated that anti-encroachment operations would continue across the city as part of a broader effort to protect government land, improve urban management, and ensure smoother movement of traffic for the public.

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Concerns have been raised over the design, traffic capacity and operational safety of Karachi’s newly opened Karimabad underpass, with transporters and urban planning experts warning that the project may face congestion and traffic management challenges despite being built to ease movement in the area.
The Karimabad underpass, constructed at a cost of Rs. 3.46 billion, stretches approximately 1,080 metres and is being described as Karachi’s longest tunnel-type underpass.
The project has been opened for traffic, but questions are now being raised over whether the structure can effectively handle the volume and type of traffic expected on the corridor.
Officials from the Karachi Development Authority said delays in the project were mainly caused by utility shifting work involving K-Electric, Sui Southern Gas Company and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation. According to officials, relocation of utility services remained one of the key reasons behind the prolonged completion timeline.
However, representatives of the transport sector have warned that the project may not fully resolve traffic pressure in the area. Muhammad Ilyas of the Karachi Transport Alliance said congestion could worsen near Musa Colony and APWA Girls College due to narrow roads, roadside encroachments and the movement of Qingqi rickshaws, particularly along the Route 7C corridor.
Urban Resource Centre Joint Director Zahid Farooq also criticized the design of the underpass, saying the structure lacks an emergency lane despite its unusual length. He warned that even a single vehicle breakdown inside the underpass could block traffic completely and cause serious inconvenience for commuters.
KDA engineers acknowledged that only two heavy vehicles can pass through the underpass at the same time. They also confirmed that no dedicated emergency lane had been included in the design, citing limited available space as the main reason.
The concerns have sparked debate over the planning and long-term functionality of major urban infrastructure projects in Karachi. Transporters and urban experts argue that while underpasses and flyovers may provide short-term relief, poor design, encroachments, narrow approach roads and weak traffic management can undermine their effectiveness.
Experts said proper monitoring, removal of encroachments, regulation of slow moving vehicles and emergency response arrangements would be essential to ensure smooth traffic flow through the Karimabad underpass and prevent future gridlocks.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Colgate Palmolive Pakistan Limited is moving to acquire major manufacturing assets of Procter and Gamble Pakistan Limited in what could become a significant transaction in Pakistan’s fast moving consumer goods sector.
According to a disclosure submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the board of directors of Colgate Palmolive Pakistan approved negotiations and entry into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Procter and Gamble Pakistan during a meeting held on May 14, 2026.
The proposed acquisition covers land, manufacturing facilities and other related assets located at Port Qasim, Karachi. The area is one of Pakistan’s most important industrial and logistics zones, hosting several major manufacturing and export oriented businesses.
Colgate Palmolive Pakistan said the transaction is subject to the execution of a final Asset Purchase Agreement, regulatory approvals and completion of necessary legal and procedural requirements. The company did not disclose the financial value of the proposed deal.
The development comes after P&G’s earlier decision to wind down its manufacturing and commercial operations in Pakistan as part of a wider global restructuring plan. The multinational company had announced that it would continue serving Pakistani consumers through regional operations and a third party distributor model.
P&G entered Pakistan in 1991 and built a strong manufacturing presence over the years, including production facilities at Port Qasim for major consumer brands such as Ariel, Pampers, Pantene, Head and Shoulders and other household products.
In 2019, the company had also invested more than 50 million dollars to expand its Port Qasim operations, highlighting the importance of the facility in its Pakistan business strategy at the time.
For Colgate Palmolive Pakistan, the proposed acquisition may strengthen its manufacturing base and expand its operational capacity at a time when local production, supply chain efficiency and cost control remain key priorities for consumer goods companies operating in the country.