Mr. Zakaria Usman, President FPCCI has express his serious
concern over long awaited plan of Karachi Mass Transit Project which was
planned years back with hard work involving years of surveys, studies, new
laws, relocation of people, a committed international financier, provision of
guarantees and much more. Now it need to resolve and sincere will to push it
through although this should have happened decades ago.
He further said that Karachi Mass Transit Project was one of
the unfortunate projects in the country’s history that had faced inordinate
delays. Though several years had passed, the work on the project could not be
started due to bureaucratic hurdles.
The President FPCCI drew the attention of the Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif to the fact that Karachi is 60
times larger than it was when Pakistan
was created in 1947. It is the world’s fastest growing mega city like Beijing , Guangzhou , Shanghai , Lagos , Jakarta , Mumbai, Delhi and Chicago . It has now
become the world's 7th largest metropolis with an estimated population of
nearly 20 million inhabitants. He said that Karachi
is economic lifeline of Pakistan
and is the country's financial capital. It is the financial and industrial
powerhouse of the country which contributes 25% of GDP. The port of Karachi
handles 60 percent of Pakistan ’s
cargo and the Karachi Stock Exchange is one of Asia ’s
most active trading money market.
He said that 15 years back the transport system of Karachi was satisfactory
which was consisting of circular railways, KRTC buses, private coaches and
taxies. The state owned circular railway and big buses were gradually broken
due to lack of maintenance and attention of the concerned authorities. Now
after 15 years the people are at the mercy of thousands of three wheelers and
qingqi. Rather we should have upgraded the transport system instead we dropped
it from our standard.
He further stated that many of the potential benefits of
urbanization will be hard to realize unless there is improved city governance
and serious efforts to reduce the level of violence in Karachi . So what has already been done and what can
Nawaz Sharif Government do to give a mass transit system that any mega city
like Karachi
must have, he urged.
The President of the apex trade body requested the Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Governor and Chief Minister Sindh to give
priority to Karachi Mass Transit Project which needs sincerity for
implementation. This will bring much needed foreign direct investment in the
country and it will impact positively on trade and economic activities in Pakistan and
will reduce the level of fuel consumption in public and private transportation
from one corner of the city to another corner, reflecting in reduction of
import of oil which is one of the major importing items. This will also provide
pollution free healthy environment.
