Shahrah-e-Bhutto realisation of Benazir’s Karachi Package of 90s: CM

Shahrah-e-Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, which is the new name of the Malir Expressway, is not merely a project but a realisation of Benazir Bhutto’s forward-thinking Karachi Package that she had announced in 1994-95 to introduce the Lyari and Malir expressways, aimed at addressing Karachi’s increasing congestion and modernising its infrastructure.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said this while speaking at the inauguration of Shahrah-e-Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Shahrah-e-Bhutto) performed by Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday. The event was attended by all the provincial ministers, MNAs, MPAs and local bodies representatives.

“The city's unplanned growth necessitated the launch of mega projects to address the situation caused by Musharraf's Local Government Order, which the PPP government did not influence,” the CM said.

He added that the Shah Faisal Intersection, a key segment of the much-anticipated Shahrah-e-Bhutto, had been inaugurated by Bilawal, marking a significant milestone in Karachi’s journey toward urban modernisation.

The partial opening of the 9.1-kilometre section of Shahrah-e-Bhutto, extending from Shaheed-e-Millat Expressway at Qayumabad to the Shah Faisal Interchange, was celebrated by the CM as a transformative step for the city.

“This access-controlled, high-speed corridor is designed to revolutionise Karachi’s urban landscape, providing immediate relief to commuters while setting the stage for the completion of the full 38.75-kilometre expressway by 2025,” the CM said.

Shah said Shahrah-e-Bhutto was more than a road. “It is a lifeline for Karachi’s future, and it represents progress, hope and a brighter tomorrow for the people of Sindh,” he said.

He explained that the package of Benazir in 1990s had introduced the Lyari and Malir expressways to tackle Karachi’s growing congestion and modernise its infrastructure. The CM paid tribute to her legacy, acknowledging her vision that laid the foundation for Karachi’s urban transformation.

Shah said the Shahrah-e-Bhutto project, costing Rs54.7 billion, was a shining example of the public-private partnership (PPP) framework, in which the Sindh government contributed Rs31.3 billion, while private equity and commercial loans covered the rest. He added that such collaboration underscored Sindh’s ability to attract private investment for public welfare.

He said Shahrah-e-Bhutto would reduce travel time from over an hour to just 25 minutes to serve as an alternative to Sharea Faisal to connect industrial zones to key locations. He added that the expressway would improve trade and logistics, and provide a safer and more efficient route for heavy traffic to and from the Karachi Port Trust.

The CM maintained that it had been ensured that no residents were displaced due to the expressway’s construction as the government was committed to the welfare of its citizens.

He said the PPP continued to deliver ground-breaking infrastructure projects, including the Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas Dual Carriageway, Sir Aga Khan Jhirk-Mulakatyar Bridge, Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge, which was the longest bridge over the Indus, and Nabisar-Vajihar Water Works Project, which would support Thar Block-I power plants and reduce national energy costs.

Discussing Karachi, Shah highlighted several infrastructure projects his government had completed, including various roads, underpasses and flyovers. He mentioned key initiatives such as the 100-bed Baldia Hospital, which was ready for inauguration, and a garbage transfer station currently under construction.

The CM assured the citizens of the province of continued commitment to completing the projects ahead of schedule. “We will build a Karachi that inspires the nation and leads by example,” he declared.

Shah invited prominent local investors to participate in significant projects being initiated by the provincial government under the public-private partnership model. He encouraged them to contribute to the development of the city. He also pledged to bring an additional 400 million gallons of water per day to Karachi to address the city's increasing water needs.