Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved the Karachi Port to Qayyumabad corridor project. The proposed project will introduce a 16.5-kilometre four-lane expressway in Karachi. It will be developed under a public-private partnership arrangement.
The approval was granted during the 53rd meeting of the Public-Private Partnership Policy Board. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah chaired the meeting. Officials discussed the project’s structure, implementation timeline and related matters.
The planned expressway will connect Shahrah-e-Bhutto with the East Wharf of Karachi Port. It will provide a dedicated route between the two locations. Access to the corridor will remain controlled to manage traffic movement. The project will follow a long-term contract arrangement lasting 27.5 years. This period includes 2.5 years for construction. The remaining 25 years will cover operation and maintenance.
The development will follow a design, finance, construction, operation, maintenance and transfer model. Under this arrangement, the private partner will handle the project’s development and operations. The project will eventually be transferred according to the agreed terms.
The board also discussed a possible change in the project’s investment structure. A proposal is under consideration to introduce an Infrastructure Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). It could replace Class A equity in the project company.
Other important matters also came under discussion during the meeting. These included the Karachi Port Trust licence agreement. Officials also reviewed the process for issuing the final no-objection certificate.
In addition to the expressway approval, the Chief Minister approved several protective and infrastructure works. These measures will focus on riverbank protection along the Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway. The approved works include underwater protective embankments. An additional loop and ramp will also be constructed at Memon Goth Interchange No. 5. Street lights will be installed along the relevant sections.
These improvements are part of the wider infrastructure development plan linked to the corridor. The protective structures are intended to strengthen riverbanks. The additional road facilities will also support traffic movement around the interchange.
The Karachi Port to Qayyumabad corridor is planned as a major transport link. Its development will connect an important port area with the city’s road network. However, the project will require completion of the remaining formalities and implementation stages.
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The public-private partnership model will allow the project to be developed through private sector participation. Its long contract period will also cover long-term maintenance and operations.
