**Good to see Federal Govt is taking initiative to help out with the transportation problems in Pakistan’s industrial hub …
Jb tk Karachi Circular Railway ni bnti jo present Sindh Govt ke hote hue shyd kbi na bn ske …
Metro Bus Project will be the good alternative .**..:k:
PM Nawaz announces Rs15b for metro bus project in Karachi
By Web Desk
Published: July 10, 2014
http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/733628-image-1404990042-709-640x480.jpg
Prime minister Nawaz sharif presiding over a meeting on law and order at the Governor House. Sindh Governor Dr Ishtratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan are also present on the occasion. PHOTO: APP
****KARACHI: **Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during a high level meeting in Karachi, announced to launch the metro bus, to be named Green Line, for the city for which the federal government would provide Rs15 billion, Express News reported.
**
The metro bus is part of the rapid transport service project.
The premier, along with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, arrived in Karachi on Thursday, Express News reported earlier.Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah received the premier upon his arrival.
During his one-day visit to the metropolitan city, Prime Minister Nawaz headed a high-level meeting at the Governor House, where the DG Rangers briefed him about the Karachi operation and the law and order situation in the city.
The prime minister, while addressing the meeting, said he appreciated the suggestions given regarding the operation. He added that everyone had said that “the operation against criminals should happen quickly.”
“Soon after your suggestions, we initiated the operation,” the premier said.
Expressing fears of backlash in major cities because of the Zarb-e-Azb operation, the premier emphasised that law enforcement agencies should ensure that the security situation remains under control.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, the Sindh chief minister, acting IG Sindh, DG Rangers and officials of intelligence agencies were present during the meeting.
The prime minister also supervised another important meeting at the Governor House regarding development projects, particularly mega-projects in Karachi.
The Sindh chief secretary briefed the premier about the delay in the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project and said the biggest hurdle was encroachment in the right of way. He informed him that the Sindh government needs massive funding to clear the area and relocate encroachments.
According to sources, PM Nawaz will also meet representatives of various political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N).
Karachi Traders’ woes
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), in a letter presented to the prime minister on behalf of six industrial associates, traders and businessmen, asked the premier to deploy the army in the city considering the deteriorating security situation.
They complained about the law and order situation of Karachi in the letter, saying that traders were still being kidnapped despite the ongoing operation in the city.
They said the operation was successful during the first two months. However, they said that they are still being subjected to extortion.
President of the KCCI said that if the army can be deployed in Multan, it can also be deployed in Karachi. The letter also stated a request to the premier to hand the city to the army for three to four months.
It also added that the Karachi operation had become politicised, and the prime minister should take a stand.
**On hearing the complaints of the traders, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah expressed his confusion. He said a few days ago the traders had said law and order in Karachi had improved, but they were singing a different tune in front of the premier.
**
He also said that he cannot restore the law and order situation in six months.
In a light moment during the meeting, the Sindh chief minister accidentally requested Rs220 million for the people of Karachi. Following laughter in the room, he corrected the statement and asked for Rs22 million.
