BRT Red Line picks up steam

The city's long-awaited transport overhaul is gathering momentum, with construction on the BRT Red Line accelerating and the Sindh government setting a September 15 deadline to make University Road fully motorable, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said during a visit and inspection of the project site on Saturday. Sharjeel reviewed construction activity along the Red Line corridor and was briefed on the progress on various components, including road works and bridge construction. He said, carpeting had already been completed at several points on University Road and that work was under way to make the entire artery fully motorable. The minister said the Red Line was being pushed forward at speed, while work on the Yellow Line was also progressing. He said the provincial government was pursuing a broader expansion of modern public transport in Karachi, including the procurement of additional double-decker buses, taxis and electric buses. Agreements have been signed and orders placed for 500 electric buses, he said, adding that the buses would soon become available to Karachi residents. Motorbikes and scooters are also expected to be provided under government initiatives. Sharjeel said the transport drive was part of a wider development agenda spanning housing, energy, education and infrastructure. He highlighted the Sindh housing programme, Shahrah-e-Bhutto and Thar coal power projects, saying the government was pursuing development through both public-sector initiatives and public-private partnerships. He said Thar coal was now contributing to more than 3,500 megawatts of electricity generation and could eventually help Pakistan meet its energy requirements while creating opportunities for coal exports. On Karachi's persistent challenges, Sharjeel acknowledged that problems relating to electricity, water, sewerage and municipal services remained. He said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was personally monitoring the situation and that the provincial government was working continuously to address the city's problems. He also defended the government's performance, saying it was focused on delivering projects rather than merely announcing them. Karachi, he said, remained one of Pakistan's principal economic centres and its progress was essential to the country's overall development. He further called for "positive and responsible" politics in Karachi, warning that negative propaganda could damage the city's image and discourage investment. On other political and national issues, the minister reiterated the PPP's position on the creation of new provinces, saying any such move must follow the constitutional procedure and receive approval from the relevant provincial assembly. He also urged the media to report both achievements and shortcomings, saying criticism was necessary for accountability and reform. Asked about former prime minister Imran Khan, Sharjeel said medical treatment should be available to every sick person regardless of political affiliation, stressing that humanitarian considerations must prevail over political differences. He also called for greater federal attention to Sindh's airport and motorway infrastructure, arguing that improved connectivity was vital for the province's economic development. Sharjeel concluded by stressing that constitutional and legal procedures must be respected in all matters, saying adherence to the law was essential for the country's progress.