Monday, PM Imran Khan called for renewed coordination between federal and provincial governments for the successful accomplishment of megaprojects.
Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the Karachi Circular Railway project, the PM urged the two governments to work together for Karachi’s development.
The Sindh and Federal governments are often at odds with each other in various aspects. Moreover, they frequently hold each other responsible for Karachi’s dilapidated state.
The Federal government accuses the provincial government of blatant corruption and incompetence. Meanwhile, the Sindh government resolutely maintains that the Federal government withholds funds necessary for Karachi’s development.
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However, today, PM Khan requested the governments to set aside political differences to resolve issues faced by people in Karachi.
“We will have to work together because it is interconnected. We can’t do anything without the full cooperation of the provincial government. Also, there are several things the provincial government can’t do without the federal government.” PM Khan said.
“Despite our political difference, we will have to work together in Karachi for the sake of the country and the province,” the Prime Minister of Pakistan reiterated.
PM Imran Khan also highlighted Karachi’s importance to Pakistan and termed it responsible for the country’s economic prosperity.
“The development, prosperity, and growth rate of major countries is usually led by one city. London in England, New York in the United States, and then Karachi in Pakistan,” PM Khan said.
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He also lamented the fact that the city’s importance to the country has not yet been fully realized.
“Karachi’s importance hasn’t been completely figured out in the past [..] KTP is important not only for Karachi, but for whole Pakistan” PM Imran Khan #KCRBecomesReality pic.twitter.com/HTdTyhvtaW
— Virk Shahzaib (@VirkSh786) September 27, 2021
The Bundal Island project
Consequently, PM Khan also requested Sindh’s Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to reconsider the Bundal Island Project.
“Sindh will benefit from this. It will bring profit, jobs and alleviate pressure from Karachi,” he said, adding that it would become increasingly difficult to provide citizens with utilities if the city keeps expanding.
He added that the island project would also bring in foreign investment. “So please reconsider the project,” he said while addressing the Sindh chief minister, who was also present on the occasion, adding that it was a “win-win situation”.
Earlier this year, the Sindh government withdrew its no-objection certificate issued to the federal government for the project due to unknown reasons.
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