Murad Shah approves Rs21.5bn for city infrastructure upgrades • Rs13bn grant allocated for 24 TMCs for road repairs • Rs8.53 billion for KMC roads, water and sewerage streetlights
KARACHI : Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved a comprehensive package worth Rs21.53 billion, including a Rs13 billion grant-in-aid for rehabilitating and improving Town Municipal Corporations’ (TMCs) road infrastructure.
The initiative aims to ease traffic congestion, improve public safety, and boost economic activity in the provincial capital.
The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary to the CM Raheem Shaikh, and other relevant officers.
Local Government Minister Nasir Shah informed the chief minister that 24 TMCs across Karachi had requested funding to repair severely dilapidated roads and streets. Due to financial constraints, these TMCs are unable to carry out the works independently.
Mayor Wahab reported that 409 roads across seven districts of Karachi need rehabilitation, including 400 requiring patch repairs and nine requiring complete reconstruction.
According to a breakdown presented by Nasir Shah, a total of 409 roads across Karachi’s seven districts have been identified for rehabilitation at an estimated cost of Rs10.93 billion. Of these, 400 roads will undergo patchwork repairs, while nine roads will be reconstructed end-to-end to address severe structural damage. An additional 15 per cent allocation of Rs1.64 billion is needed for sewerage and water supply projects, bringing the total project cost for this component to Rs12.57 billion, the mayor stated.
District-wise estimates show that Malir has the highest number of roads identified for repair (98), followed by West (81), Central (53), South (50), East (49), Korangi (39), and Keamari (39). The highest tentative cost has been estimated for Keamari district at Rs2.32 billion, followed by West at Rs2.31 billion and East at Rs1.85 billion.
The meeting was informed that 24 TMCs will implement internal road rehabilitation schemes within their respective jurisdictions. These include major allocations for TMC Manghopir (Rs1.75 billion), TMC Gadap (Rs960 million), TMC Baldia (Rs944 million), and TMC Mauripur (Rs858 million), among others. Most TMC schemes involve patchwork repairs, while selected roads in Gulberg, Gulshan, Jinnah, Sohrab Goth, Orangi, Manghopir, Saddar, and Landhi will undergo end-to-end rehabilitation.
The chief minister was briefed that these rehabilitation efforts are vital for improving urban mobility, public safety, and overall road infrastructure in Karachi.
He recalled his previous instructions issued at a meeting on January 7, where he had directed that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would rehabilitate 26 major roads.
The KMC’s assessment estimates, as presented by Mayor Wahab, put costs at Rs5.53 billion for road reconstruction and resurfacing, Rs1 billion for urgent water and sewerage repairs to be managed by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, Rs1 billion for storm drain retention wall construction and reinforcement, and Rs1 billion for streetlight installation and upgrades. The total estimated expenditure for KMC-led works is Rs8.53 billion.
Mr Shah stressed that prompt rehabilitation of Karachi’s roads is essential for economic growth and public convenience. He instructed departments to fast-track approval processes and ensure transparent and high-quality execution of all projects.
“Amenities for the public and the safety of citizens remain the top priorities of the Sindh government,” Murad Shah said. He further directed authorities to guarantee transparency, quality, and timely completion of all approved schemes.
The CM also directed the Finance Department to release funds immediately so that development work on damaged roads, sewerage systems, and streetlights could commence.
Nasir Shah informed the chief minister that the total cost of the TMC mega scheme stands at Rs 10.93 billion, comprising Rs 10.68 billion for road patchwork and Rs 248 million for complete road rehabilitation. An additional 15 per cent (Rs1.64 billion) has been earmarked for sewerage and water supply works, while 5 per cent (Rs628 million) has been allocated for Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) charges, and 1 per cent (Rs125 million) for contingency expenses. The overall TMC-related project cost has been estimated at Rs 13.32 billion.
The chief minister directed all concerned departments and TMCs to ensure coordinated execution of road, sewerage, and water supply works to avoid repeated digging and inconvenience to citizens. He reiterated that transparency, quality control, and timely completion would be strictly monitored.
Abdul Rasheed ChannaMedia Consultant to CM Sindh
Murad Shah announces major relief, accountability measures after Gul Plaza tragedy
• Sindh govt pledges compensation, loans, rebuilding of plaza;
• CM rejects politicisation of tragedy,
• Unearths conspiracy against 18th Amendment
KARACHI (Jan 23): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, while addressing the Sindh Assembly on the Gul Plaza fire tragedy, announced an extensive relief, rehabilitation, and accountability package for victims and affected traders, firmly rejecting attempts to politicise the incident and linking it to the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
Opening his address, the chief minister offered prayers for the martyrs of the tragedy, patience for bereaved families, and speedy recovery for the injured. “This is a tragedy for which words are insufficient,” he said, adding that innocent lives were lost and a pall of grief had descended over the city.
Casualties, missing persons:
Providing details to the House, Murad Ali Shah said 88 persons were initially reported missing, of whom one was mistakenly included, while five names were duplicated, leaving 82 confirmed missing individuals. So far, 61 bodies have been recovered, while 15 persons remain untraced.
Mr Shah informed lawmakers that DNA identification of 45 bodies has been completed, with 15 victims identified so far, and the remaining cases are in process.
The chief minister shared a minute-by-minute timeline of the incident, stating that the fire erupted at 10:14 pm on the ground floor on 17 January 2026 (Saturday), the first emergency call was received at 10:26 pm, and the first fire tender was dispatched at 10:27 pm. He added that a government representative - Commissioner Karachi and the police reached the site within 16 minutes of the blaze.
The chief minister also criticised unnecessary visits by certain VIPs during rescue operations, saying that despite being advised over the phone not to visit the site due to ongoing emergency work and heavy congestion, some individuals insisted on arriving merely for television coverage. He said such visits created additional difficulties for rescue teams and disrupted relief efforts.
Irregularities pre-date 18th Amendment
Rejecting claims that the tragedy resulted from the 18th Amendment, Murad Ali Shah traced the history of Gul Plaza, revealing that most irregularities were approved decades earlier. He said the original plan allowed only a basement and two floors, while additional floors were later sanctioned.
He disclosed that the plot was initially leased in 1884 for 99 years, expired in 1983, and was renewed in 1991 under the then city administration. He added that building violations were regularised in 2003, long before the 18th Amendment.
In a pointed remark, Murad Shah said it was ironic that the same individual who, as mayor in the past, had approved the renewal of the Gul Plaza lease on a backdated basis, was now tabling a resolution against it in the National Assembly. He described this contradiction as a clear example of political opportunism at a time when the focus should remain on accountability, relief, and justice for the victims.
“Raising constitutional questions over dead bodies and using this tragedy for political purposes is a crime,” he told the House, questioning who approved such irregularities before devolution.
Relief and rehabilitation package
Announcing a comprehensive relief plan, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the Sindh government had already released compensation of Rs10 million each for the families of deceased victims, directing the commissioner to ensure swift disbursement after verification.
For affected traders, he announced Rs500,000 immediate financial assistance per shop to help them resume livelihoods. Mr Shah also revealed plans to provide alternative commercial spaces within two months, identifying two buildings with 850 shops, whose owners have agreed to waive rent for one year, with efforts underway to extend rent-free use to two years.
Additionally, the CM said each affected trader would be offered a Rs10 million interest-free loan through Sindh Enterprise Development Fund, with the Sindh government acting as guarantor and bearing the markup.
Reconstruction & accountability
CM Murad Ali Shah announced that Gul Plaza would be demolished and reconstructed as per the KBCA -approved plan, ensuring no increase in the number of shops, with reconstruction to be completed within two years.
He further announced that FIRs would be registered and all responsible individuals would be brought to justice.
Citywide safety reforms
The chief minister told the House that structural and fire safety audits of buildings across Karachi have begun, with over 300 buildings already inspected. Buildings lacking safety measures would be given a short compliance period, after which non-compliant structures would be sealed.
Murad Shah also announced plans to bring all emergency response agencies under a unified command, introduce mandatory building insurance laws, and strengthen regulatory oversight to prevent future disasters.
Warning against hidden agendas
Concluding his address, Murad Ali Shah urged critics to hold the government accountable but warned against pushing `hidden agendas’ during national tragedies. “The Pakistan Peoples Party has always stood with the people in times of fire, floods, and disasters - and it will continue to do so,” he said.
The chief minister reaffirmed that justice for the victims, relief for the affected, and reforms to ensure public safety would remain the Sindh government’s top priorities.
KARACHI : Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved a comprehensive package worth Rs21.53 billion, including a Rs13 billion grant-in-aid for rehabilitating and improving Town Municipal Corporations’ (TMCs) road infrastructure.
The initiative aims to ease traffic congestion, improve public safety, and boost economic activity in the provincial capital.
The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary to the CM Raheem Shaikh, and other relevant officers.
Local Government Minister Nasir Shah informed the chief minister that 24 TMCs across Karachi had requested funding to repair severely dilapidated roads and streets. Due to financial constraints, these TMCs are unable to carry out the works independently.
Mayor Wahab reported that 409 roads across seven districts of Karachi need rehabilitation, including 400 requiring patch repairs and nine requiring complete reconstruction.
According to a breakdown presented by Nasir Shah, a total of 409 roads across Karachi’s seven districts have been identified for rehabilitation at an estimated cost of Rs10.93 billion. Of these, 400 roads will undergo patchwork repairs, while nine roads will be reconstructed end-to-end to address severe structural damage. An additional 15 per cent allocation of Rs1.64 billion is needed for sewerage and water supply projects, bringing the total project cost for this component to Rs12.57 billion, the mayor stated.
District-wise estimates show that Malir has the highest number of roads identified for repair (98), followed by West (81), Central (53), South (50), East (49), Korangi (39), and Keamari (39). The highest tentative cost has been estimated for Keamari district at Rs2.32 billion, followed by West at Rs2.31 billion and East at Rs1.85 billion.
The meeting was informed that 24 TMCs will implement internal road rehabilitation schemes within their respective jurisdictions. These include major allocations for TMC Manghopir (Rs1.75 billion), TMC Gadap (Rs960 million), TMC Baldia (Rs944 million), and TMC Mauripur (Rs858 million), among others. Most TMC schemes involve patchwork repairs, while selected roads in Gulberg, Gulshan, Jinnah, Sohrab Goth, Orangi, Manghopir, Saddar, and Landhi will undergo end-to-end rehabilitation.
The chief minister was briefed that these rehabilitation efforts are vital for improving urban mobility, public safety, and overall road infrastructure in Karachi.
He recalled his previous instructions issued at a meeting on January 7, where he had directed that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would rehabilitate 26 major roads.
The KMC’s assessment estimates, as presented by Mayor Wahab, put costs at Rs5.53 billion for road reconstruction and resurfacing, Rs1 billion for urgent water and sewerage repairs to be managed by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, Rs1 billion for storm drain retention wall construction and reinforcement, and Rs1 billion for streetlight installation and upgrades. The total estimated expenditure for KMC-led works is Rs8.53 billion.
Mr Shah stressed that prompt rehabilitation of Karachi’s roads is essential for economic growth and public convenience. He instructed departments to fast-track approval processes and ensure transparent and high-quality execution of all projects.
“Amenities for the public and the safety of citizens remain the top priorities of the Sindh government,” Murad Shah said. He further directed authorities to guarantee transparency, quality, and timely completion of all approved schemes.
The CM also directed the Finance Department to release funds immediately so that development work on damaged roads, sewerage systems, and streetlights could commence.
Nasir Shah informed the chief minister that the total cost of the TMC mega scheme stands at Rs 10.93 billion, comprising Rs 10.68 billion for road patchwork and Rs 248 million for complete road rehabilitation. An additional 15 per cent (Rs1.64 billion) has been earmarked for sewerage and water supply works, while 5 per cent (Rs628 million) has been allocated for Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) charges, and 1 per cent (Rs125 million) for contingency expenses. The overall TMC-related project cost has been estimated at Rs 13.32 billion.
The chief minister directed all concerned departments and TMCs to ensure coordinated execution of road, sewerage, and water supply works to avoid repeated digging and inconvenience to citizens. He reiterated that transparency, quality control, and timely completion would be strictly monitored.
• Sindh govt pledges compensation, loans, rebuilding of plaza;
• CM rejects politicisation of tragedy,
• Unearths conspiracy against 18th Amendment
KARACHI (Jan 23): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, while addressing the Sindh Assembly on the Gul Plaza fire tragedy, announced an extensive relief, rehabilitation, and accountability package for victims and affected traders, firmly rejecting attempts to politicise the incident and linking it to the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
Opening his address, the chief minister offered prayers for the martyrs of the tragedy, patience for bereaved families, and speedy recovery for the injured. “This is a tragedy for which words are insufficient,” he said, adding that innocent lives were lost and a pall of grief had descended over the city.
Casualties, missing persons:
Providing details to the House, Murad Ali Shah said 88 persons were initially reported missing, of whom one was mistakenly included, while five names were duplicated, leaving 82 confirmed missing individuals. So far, 61 bodies have been recovered, while 15 persons remain untraced.
Mr Shah informed lawmakers that DNA identification of 45 bodies has been completed, with 15 victims identified so far, and the remaining cases are in process.
The chief minister shared a minute-by-minute timeline of the incident, stating that the fire erupted at 10:14 pm on the ground floor on 17 January 2026 (Saturday), the first emergency call was received at 10:26 pm, and the first fire tender was dispatched at 10:27 pm. He added that a government representative - Commissioner Karachi and the police reached the site within 16 minutes of the blaze.
The chief minister also criticised unnecessary visits by certain VIPs during rescue operations, saying that despite being advised over the phone not to visit the site due to ongoing emergency work and heavy congestion, some individuals insisted on arriving merely for television coverage. He said such visits created additional difficulties for rescue teams and disrupted relief efforts.
Irregularities pre-date 18th Amendment
Rejecting claims that the tragedy resulted from the 18th Amendment, Murad Ali Shah traced the history of Gul Plaza, revealing that most irregularities were approved decades earlier. He said the original plan allowed only a basement and two floors, while additional floors were later sanctioned.
He disclosed that the plot was initially leased in 1884 for 99 years, expired in 1983, and was renewed in 1991 under the then city administration. He added that building violations were regularised in 2003, long before the 18th Amendment.
In a pointed remark, Murad Shah said it was ironic that the same individual who, as mayor in the past, had approved the renewal of the Gul Plaza lease on a backdated basis, was now tabling a resolution against it in the National Assembly. He described this contradiction as a clear example of political opportunism at a time when the focus should remain on accountability, relief, and justice for the victims.
“Raising constitutional questions over dead bodies and using this tragedy for political purposes is a crime,” he told the House, questioning who approved such irregularities before devolution.
Relief and rehabilitation package
Announcing a comprehensive relief plan, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the Sindh government had already released compensation of Rs10 million each for the families of deceased victims, directing the commissioner to ensure swift disbursement after verification.
For affected traders, he announced Rs500,000 immediate financial assistance per shop to help them resume livelihoods. Mr Shah also revealed plans to provide alternative commercial spaces within two months, identifying two buildings with 850 shops, whose owners have agreed to waive rent for one year, with efforts underway to extend rent-free use to two years.
Additionally, the CM said each affected trader would be offered a Rs10 million interest-free loan through Sindh Enterprise Development Fund, with the Sindh government acting as guarantor and bearing the markup.
Reconstruction & accountability
CM Murad Ali Shah announced that Gul Plaza would be demolished and reconstructed as per the KBCA -approved plan, ensuring no increase in the number of shops, with reconstruction to be completed within two years.
He further announced that FIRs would be registered and all responsible individuals would be brought to justice.
Citywide safety reforms
The chief minister told the House that structural and fire safety audits of buildings across Karachi have begun, with over 300 buildings already inspected. Buildings lacking safety measures would be given a short compliance period, after which non-compliant structures would be sealed.
Murad Shah also announced plans to bring all emergency response agencies under a unified command, introduce mandatory building insurance laws, and strengthen regulatory oversight to prevent future disasters.
Warning against hidden agendas
Concluding his address, Murad Ali Shah urged critics to hold the government accountable but warned against pushing `hidden agendas’ during national tragedies. “The Pakistan Peoples Party has always stood with the people in times of fire, floods, and disasters - and it will continue to do so,” he said.
The chief minister reaffirmed that justice for the victims, relief for the affected, and reforms to ensure public safety would remain the Sindh government’s top priorities.
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