Sindh govt set to inaugurate first segment of MEW on Jan 11

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah is set to inaugurate the first segment of the highly anticipated Malir Expressway, a state-of-the-art, high-speed corridor on January 11.

The initial 9.1 km stretch, which runs from Korangi Causeway to Shah Faisal, represents a significant milestone in Karachi's infrastructure development, promising improved connectivity and reduced traffic congestion.

This decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah at the New Secretariat, where the project's final progress was reviewed.

Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Mayor of Karachi Murtaza Wahab, PSCM Agha Wasif, Commissioner of Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Adl IG Karachi Javed Odho, Secretary Local Government Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, and PD Malir Expressway Niaz Soomro attended the meeting.

The Malir Expressway (MEW) is the largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project in Sindh. It features a three-lane dual-carriageway with modern, access-controlled infrastructure. Spanning approximately 40 km, the expressway connects Korangi Creek Avenue (DHA) to the M-9 Motorway (Superhighway) near Kathore, offering a critical link for commuters and significantly reducing travel time.

The expressway will include dedicated interchanges, providing seamless access to key residential and commercial areas along the route. The first segment will feature a ramp to facilitate immediate traffic flow and will be complemented by a connecting flyover from Korangi, which is expected to be completed within two months.

The construction of the Jam Sadiq Interchange and road rehabilitation projects at the EBM and Shah Faisal Interchanges are progressing steadily. Encroachments at the Quaidabad Interchange have been cleared, and construction is ongoing to enhance connectivity.

A Toll Plaza will manage traffic flow, charging Rs100 for cars and jeeps, and Rs200 for heavy vehicles. Security measures will include patrols by traffic police, fire brigades, and Rescue 1122 ambulances.

The CM directed law enforcement agencies to deploy district and traffic police at key entry and exit points, including the Jam Sadiq, EBM, and Shah Faisal Interchanges.

The traffic police will patrol both sides of the expressway continuously in vehicles. Dedicated traffic police will be present on the expressway to ensure proper traffic flow.

To ensure smooth operations, the CM has declared the stretch from the Shah Faisal Interchange to the Shah Faisal Colony Bridge as a no-parking zone. Only commercial vehicles, cars, jeeps, and buses will be permitted on the expressway, while motorcycles and rickshaws are prohibited.

The Malir Expressway is poised to transform Karachi's transportation landscape, providing swift access to residential developments and commercial hubs. Once fully operational, it is expected to alleviate congestion and boost economic activity throughout the city.

The CM emphasized the importance of efficient traffic management and directed officials to promptly address any operational challenges to ensure the timely completion of ongoing works.

Sindh govt set to inaugurate first segment of MEW on Jan 11

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah is set to inaugurate the first segment of the highly anticipated Malir Expressway, a state-of-the-art, high-speed corridor on January 11.

The initial 9.1 km stretch, which runs from Korangi Causeway to Shah Faisal, represents a significant milestone in Karachi's infrastructure development, promising improved connectivity and reduced traffic congestion.

This decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah at the New Secretariat, where the project's final progress was reviewed.

Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Mayor of Karachi Murtaza Wahab, PSCM Agha Wasif, Commissioner of Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Adl IG Karachi Javed Odho, Secretary Local Government Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, and PD Malir Expressway Niaz Soomro attended the meeting.

The Malir Expressway (MEW) is the largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project in Sindh. It features a three-lane dual-carriageway with modern, access-controlled infrastructure. Spanning approximately 40 km, the expressway connects Korangi Creek Avenue (DHA) to the M-9 Motorway (Superhighway) near Kathore, offering a critical link for commuters and significantly reducing travel time.

The expressway will include dedicated interchanges, providing seamless access to key residential and commercial areas along the route. The first segment will feature a ramp to facilitate immediate traffic flow and will be complemented by a connecting flyover from Korangi, which is expected to be completed within two months.

The construction of the Jam Sadiq Interchange and road rehabilitation projects at the EBM and Shah Faisal Interchanges are progressing steadily. Encroachments at the Quaidabad Interchange have been cleared, and construction is ongoing to enhance connectivity.

A Toll Plaza will manage traffic flow, charging Rs100 for cars and jeeps, and Rs200 for heavy vehicles. Security measures will include patrols by traffic police, fire brigades, and Rescue 1122 ambulances.

The CM directed law enforcement agencies to deploy district and traffic police at key entry and exit points, including the Jam Sadiq, EBM, and Shah Faisal Interchanges.

The traffic police will patrol both sides of the expressway continuously in vehicles. Dedicated traffic police will be present on the expressway to ensure proper traffic flow.

To ensure smooth operations, the CM has declared the stretch from the Shah Faisal Interchange to the Shah Faisal Colony Bridge as a no-parking zone. Only commercial vehicles, cars, jeeps, and buses will be permitted on the expressway, while motorcycles and rickshaws are prohibited.

The Malir Expressway is poised to transform Karachi's transportation landscape, providing swift access to residential developments and commercial hubs. Once fully operational, it is expected to alleviate congestion and boost economic activity throughout the city.

The CM emphasized the importance of efficient traffic management and directed officials to promptly address any operational challenges to ensure the timely completion of ongoing works.

Sindh govt set to inaugurate first segment of MEW on Jan 11

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah is set to inaugurate the first segment of the highly anticipated Malir Expressway, a state-of-the-art, high-speed corridor on January 11.

The initial 9.1 km stretch, which runs from Korangi Causeway to Shah Faisal, represents a significant milestone in Karachi's infrastructure development, promising improved connectivity and reduced traffic congestion.

This decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah at the New Secretariat, where the project's final progress was reviewed.

Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Mayor of Karachi Murtaza Wahab, PSCM Agha Wasif, Commissioner of Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Adl IG Karachi Javed Odho, Secretary Local Government Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, and PD Malir Expressway Niaz Soomro attended the meeting.

The Malir Expressway (MEW) is the largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project in Sindh. It features a three-lane dual-carriageway with modern, access-controlled infrastructure. Spanning approximately 40 km, the expressway connects Korangi Creek Avenue (DHA) to the M-9 Motorway (Superhighway) near Kathore, offering a critical link for commuters and significantly reducing travel time.

The expressway will include dedicated interchanges, providing seamless access to key residential and commercial areas along the route. The first segment will feature a ramp to facilitate immediate traffic flow and will be complemented by a connecting flyover from Korangi, which is expected to be completed within two months.

The construction of the Jam Sadiq Interchange and road rehabilitation projects at the EBM and Shah Faisal Interchanges are progressing steadily. Encroachments at the Quaidabad Interchange have been cleared, and construction is ongoing to enhance connectivity.

A Toll Plaza will manage traffic flow, charging Rs100 for cars and jeeps, and Rs200 for heavy vehicles. Security measures will include patrols by traffic police, fire brigades, and Rescue 1122 ambulances.

The CM directed law enforcement agencies to deploy district and traffic police at key entry and exit points, including the Jam Sadiq, EBM, and Shah Faisal Interchanges.

The traffic police will patrol both sides of the expressway continuously in vehicles. Dedicated traffic police will be present on the expressway to ensure proper traffic flow.

To ensure smooth operations, the CM has declared the stretch from the Shah Faisal Interchange to the Shah Faisal Colony Bridge as a no-parking zone. Only commercial vehicles, cars, jeeps, and buses will be permitted on the expressway, while motorcycles and rickshaws are prohibited.

The Malir Expressway is poised to transform Karachi's transportation landscape, providing swift access to residential developments and commercial hubs. Once fully operational, it is expected to alleviate congestion and boost economic activity throughout the city.

The CM emphasized the importance of efficient traffic management and directed officials to promptly address any operational challenges to ensure the timely completion of ongoing works.

Murad, Rana Tanveer discuss establishment of Industrial park, revival of steel mills

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research (NFSR) and Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer,Monday met at the New Sindh Secretariat to discuss several key initiatives, including the establishment of an industrial park on extra land from the Pakistan Steel Mill, the revival of the Steel Mill, and the creation of the proposed National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Authority.

The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister for Industries, Jam Ikram Dharejo, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif and SMBR Baqaullah Unar. Rana Tanveer was assisted by Federal Secretary NFSR Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, DG Waqas Alam, and CEO PIDC Rizwan Bhatti, a CM House Communique said.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister Rana Tanveer discussed creating an industrial park on 3,200 acres of land belonging to the Pakistan Steel Mill.

The Chief Minister noted that this land is already registered in the name of Pakistan Steel Mills Limited (PSML). In response, the federal minister indicated that the land's designation could be changed to "Industrial Use."

It was agreed that the Federal Ministry of Industries and Production would send a letter to the provincial government to request the change of land use, allowing the provincial government to take appropriate documentation steps.

The meeting also highlighted that 1,675 acres were allotted to PSML in 1974-75 for the Steel Project, but the title had not yet been transferred to PSML. The Chief Minister assured Rana Tanveer that this matter would be resolved.

Murad Ali Shah emphasised that approximately 700 acres earmarked for the Pakistan Steel Mills Plant should be preserved for either revitalising the existing steel mill or establishing a new one.

In response, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer informed the Chief Minister that a Russian team had already inspected the current steel mill plant and would submit a proposal for a new plant installation in February.

The Chief Minister expressed a desire for his government to be involved in decision-making regarding the revitalisation of the steel mill, to which the federal minister assured him support.

The federal minister explained that the National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Authority is being established with the primary goal of implementing inspection and quarantine controls for the import and export of animals, plants, agricultural products, food, and feed.

The Chief Minister remarked that if the federal government considers the draft Act relevant, it should involve broader consultations with all provincial departments, including Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Provincial Food Authorities, before implementing the Act.

He suggested that greater representation from provincial governments be included in the proposed authority.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to strengthen coordination to ensure that the industrial park and revitalized steel mill projects are implemented on schedule.

Additionally, regarding the establishment of the National Food Safety, Animal, and Plant Health Regulatory Authority, the federal ministry would seek comments from the provincial Agriculture and Livestock Department.

Pakistan Women’s U19 team celebrates pacer Fatima Khan’s birthday

Karachi: Pakistan Women's U19 team celebrated the birthday of fast bowler Fatima Khan, who turned 18 years old, as the team got together for a cake cutting ceremony at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre, Karachi.

The Pakistan Women's U19 team is currently preparing for the ICC Women's U19 World Cup 2025 in the ongoing camp.

Players and team management congratulated Fatima and celebrated her birthday before the start of training, which also included a scenario match.

Head coach Mohsin Kamal, Assistant coach Hanif Malik, fielding coach Nahida Khan, Physiotherapist Dr Rabia, Strenght and Conditioning coach Asfandyar, Ameer Ullah, Manager Hina Munawar, analyst Usman Shahid and the other squad members were present on the occasion.

KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi inaugurates updated computer lab

Karachi: Vice Chancellor of the University of Karachi(KU) Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi inaugurated the updated computer laboratory at the Department of Statistics on Monday.

Addressing the faculty members and students, he emphasized that investment in education and research is seen as an investment globally but, unfortunately in Pakistan, it is often viewed as a burden.

'Pakistan cannot achieve its goals without investing in education. A knowledge-based society and economy are essential for progress.'he said and added that nations like Japan, Germany, and China have learned from their challenges, and their success stories serve as examples.

The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi pointed out that Pakistan's biggest issue is the state's reluctance to take responsibility, and welfare organizations often fill those gaps.

He appreciated that alumni are coming forward and helping their departments, which shows that they do not have to forget the role of their faculty and department in the success of individuals.

KU Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Dr Musarrat Jahan Yousuf highlighted that we live in an era of science and technology, and technology has become a necessity in all fields. She acknowledges that updated computers are crucial not only for the Department of Statistics but for all departments.

She lauded the provision of new computers by Mazher-ul-Haq as a valuable investment, aiming to align the younger generation with contemporary demands.

An alumnus of the department of statistics from 1973, Mazher-ul-Haq shared that graduates from the department are making their mark not only in far east countries but also in the USA and various European countries, bringing honor to the University of Karachi and Pakistan.

He expresses gratitude towards the University of Karachi and encourages others to contribute according to their ability. He mentioned that his donation of computers to the department is a small gesture of giving back.

The in-charge of the department of statistics, Dr Rafia Shafi, informed the audience that Mazher-ul-Haq has helped in upgrading the department computer labs by providing 14 HP Z240 Core i7, and sixth-generation PCs. She believes that these computers will greatly aid the students in becoming proficient with modern technology.