Karachi, Commuters in Karachi are facing severe disruptions as the construction of the Redline Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system has been significantly delayed, causing extensive upheaval along University Road. Altaf Shakoor, Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP), highlighted the profound impact on daily travel within the city, demanding urgent action to expedite the project.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, Shakoor criticized the Sindh government’s handling of the Redline BRT, a critical public transport project for Karachi, accusing them of neglecting the city’s transport needs. He pointed out that the provincial government, led by the PPP, shows little interest in completing the project. Shakoor also remarked on other problematic projects, such as the only partially completed Green Line BRT and the stalled Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), which he claims are indicative of broader governance issues affecting Karachi’s development.
The PDP chairman called for a more integrated approach to resolve Karachi’s transport problems, involving all levels of government—federal, provincial, and city. He also suggested improvements to the Lyari Expressway and proposed utilizing the Lyari River bed for heavy traffic during dry seasons to alleviate congestion. Shakoor has proposed the creation of a Public Transport Authority to oversee and address Karachi’s commuting challenges and has appealed directly to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, and City Mayor Murtaza Wahab to prioritize the overhaul of the city’s transport infrastructure, starting with the immediate resumption and completion of the Redline BRT project.