KARACHI: Expressing concern over deteriorating urban civic facilities in Karachi, Pasban Democratic Party Chairman Altaf Shakoor stated that the modernization of the megacity must begin with a unified master plan and emergency infrastructure fixes. According to Pasban Democratic Party, Shakoor emphasized that a sequenced, human-centric approach is essential for transforming Pakistan's economic hub.

Transforming Karachi into a modern urban city, he argued, requires a fundamental shift in strategy, starting with a single, enforceable master plan and the immediate stabilization of water, sewerage, and waste systems. Shakoor criticized piecemeal projects for their lack of a unifying framework, asserting that "you cannot build a modern city on a failing basis."

For decades, Karachi has expanded without a coherent blueprint. Shakoor points to the Sindh government's World Bank-supported Master Plan and the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047 as critical foundations, stressing the importance of human-centric plans that protect residents in informal settlements from displacement. He highlighted the need for urban policy to transition from clearing informal settlements to functional integration and inclusive planning.

Shakoor also addressed the urgent need for stabilizing core infrastructure. Untreated sewage flowing into the sea via the Lyari and Malir rivers poses a significant environmental and health crisis. The Greater Karachi Sewerage Plan (STP-III) and a proposed desalination plant are initiatives aimed at addressing these issues, with the World Bank-funded Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project playing a key role.

In terms of waste management, Karachi generates thousands of tonnes of waste daily, but collection and disposal systems have faltered. Shakoor noted that immediate modernization and investment are required, citing a recent Rs 84.796 billion grant for schemes including road rehabilitation and drainage improvements as steps in the right direction.

Addressing mobility, Shakoor described traffic congestion as an economic and quality-of-life drain. He advocated for a modern, integrated transport system rather than merely building more roads. The Red Line and Yellow Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects are crucial, though they face funding challenges.

Shakoor criticized the fragmented authority over traffic signals, signage, and road design, which leads to bottlenecks and accidents. The introduction of smart traffic signals and AI-enabled cameras under the Karachi Safe City Project is a positive development, but needs scaling up. Phase-II of the Safe City Project involves installing over 2,300 smart cameras and other surveillance technologies, yet challenges remain with Karachi's data deficit.

He called for nature-based solutions to combat urban flooding and the heat island effect, advocating the "Sponge City" concept for managing rainfall. Shakoor also stressed the importance of preserving the city's existing communities and heritage, highlighting the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's project to revive historic markets.

Shakoor urged the Sindh government, federal authorities, and international partners to adopt a sequenced approach to modernization. He outlined a strategy beginning with a unified plan and governance, followed by immediate stabilization of essential services, and culminating in the development of mobility and digital systems, ensuring the entire process is green and inclusive.