murad KARACHI: Sindh government is putting all out efforts to transform Karachi into a more livable, greener and resilient metropolitan area. For the purpose, it has formulated a well thought out Karachi Transformation Strategy (KTS) with the objective to improve physical and socio-economic infrastructure and services delivery in water supply and sanitation, transportation, urban spaces and institutional strengthening and transformation. This information was shared by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, while addressing the launch ceremony of ‘Educational and Cultural Zone-Saddar area under World Bank assisted Karachi Neighbourhood Improvement Project’ at Burns Garden. Shah said that World Bank has engaged itself in Karachi Transformation Strategy (KTS) to support Sindh government’s vision and has carried out a comprehensive Karachi City Diagnostic (KCD) programme. “The KCD is an unprecedented endeavour to collect comprehensive data on city’s economy, livability and key urban infrastructure, providing an overview of challenges and opportunities faced by Karachi metropolitan region and estimates of investment levels needed to bridge infrastructure gap and improve metropolitan region’s economic potential.” Shah said that in light of the depth and scale of city’s challenges in term of policy reforms, institutional governance and infrastructure needs, Sindh government and World Bank have agreed to launch a dual-track approach. “Under the ?rst track, Bank is supporting a `quick wins’ operation under Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project, focusing on `fast, low cost and high impact’ interventions to respond to emergent city needs. Published in Daily Times, March 13th 2018.