Karachi Division

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor has expressed serious concern over the continued delay in the Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway project, stating that the prolonged postponement is negatively affecting economic activity in Sindh as well as the broader national economy.
In a statement issued in Karachi, he said the motorway project holds strategic importance for improving north-south connectivity and facilitating smooth transportation of goods between Karachi ports and upcountry regions. He noted that delays in the project have increased transportation costs, slowed logistics operations, and created bottlenecks in commercial movement.
Altaf Shakoor emphasised that the Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway is a critical segment of the national motorway network and its timely completion is essential for strengthening trade corridors, supporting industrial growth, and improving regional mobility.
He urged the federal government and relevant authorities to prioritise the project and ensure early commencement of construction work, adding that infrastructure development plays a key role in economic stability, investment confidence, and balanced regional development.
The PDP chairman further stated that continued delays in major transport infrastructure projects undermine economic planning and limit growth opportunities for businesses and communities dependent on efficient road connectivity.
He called for transparent timelines and regular progress updates to restore public confidence and ensure the project moves forward without further delay.

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has successfully recovered 43.11 acres of Pakistan Railways land in Karachi, valued at approximately Rs9.67 billion, in a major move to protect public assets and enforce lawful land administration.
The reclaimed land, located in Deh Khanto and Jumma Goth (Survey Nos. 48–51), had been illegally occupied by a private textile mills entity. NAB’s operation follows a detailed and prolonged investigation aimed at restoring state ownership and preventing unauthorized use of high-value public property.
The investigation, initially launched on 13 July 2019, was temporarily halted due to a Supreme Court ruling but reopened in 2025 at the request of Pakistan Railways. The renewed probe focused on officials from the revenue department and Pakistan Railways who were allegedly involved in facilitating the illegal occupation.
NAB officials said the recovery of this prime railway land underscores the bureau’s commitment to safeguarding government property. They emphasized that protecting state-owned assets is crucial for transparent land management, infrastructure development, and the preservation of public resources.

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday directed the city mayor and relevant authorities to complete the Karimabad and Munawar Chowrangi underpasses within one month and make them operational for public use, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance Karachi’s urban transport infrastructure.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting reviewing the progress of the city’s development portfolio for the financial year 2025–26. Officials informed the chief minister that the Karimabad Underpass project, which was launched in May 2023, has achieved approximately 85 percent physical progress despite delays caused by technical challenges. The project was originally scheduled for completion within 10 months, with an expected opening in October 2024.
The Munawar Chowrangi Underpass, also initiated in 2023, is part of the broader urban mobility improvement plan designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity across densely populated commercial and residential areas.
The chief minister emphasized the importance of timely completion, noting that these underpasses will play a vital role in facilitating smoother traffic movement, improving accessibility to surrounding commercial zones, and supporting Karachi’s expanding urban infrastructure. Authorities were instructed to accelerate remaining construction work while ensuring quality and safety standards before opening the projects to commuters.