Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that illegal bus stands had been operating in Karachi for the past 40 years, significantly disrupting the city’s traffic flow. However, a formal bus terminal has now been established at Sohrab Goth, and a shuttle service is being operated from various parts of the city to this terminal.
He added that transport department officials are actively working in the field, and the Red Line BRT project is currently under construction in Karachi to provide citizens with improved travel facilities. While responding to questions in the Sindh Assembly, Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, stated that a total of 83,941 route permits have been issued or renewed so far.
He said that more than 110,000 passengers commute daily via the People’s Bus Service, which is subsidized by the Sindh government on a daily basis. He stated that public transport has long been a persistent issue in Sindh, but the Pakistan Peoples Party government has taken revolutionary steps to address it. Currently, the People’s Bus Service is operating successfully in Karachi, Larkana, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad.
He further stated that Pakistan’s first electric buses have been introduced by the Sindh government, and free scooters will be provided to women starting in August. Additional electric buses are expected to arrive in Karachi in September. Since the Green Line BRT came under the administration of the Sindh government, its daily ridership has increased from 52,000 to 73,000.
Plans to introduce over 1,000 new electric buses are also under consideration. Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that the transport department is not responsible for the delay in the Red Line BRT project. He added that work is ongoing on major development schemes in Karachi, and progress is being made rapidly on two sections of the Yellow Line BRT, with the bridge expected to be completed by August. He acknowledged that occasional delays may occur due to technical or administrative issues, but overall, the work is progressing smoothly and the team remains fully committed.He added that both local experts and international consultants are involved in the project, and every aspect is being closely monitored.
Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that the project was not initiated without proper planning, and timely measures were taken wherever there was a risk of delay. He stated that Karachi is a vast city with a population larger than that of many countries, and relocating utility connections is always a significant challenge. Several stages had to be completed to remove the gas line from the Yellow Line BRT route, and at times, unexpected issues also emerged. He said that the people are hardworking, funding is available, and every effort is being made to complete the projects.