Following the prime minister’s directives, the long-awaited rehabilitation and construction of roads in the Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE) has gained significant momentum.
Through the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, the federal government has committed full funding for the project, which is aimed at revitalising one of Pakistan’s oldest and largest industrial zones.
Approved under the Public Sector Development Programme 2022-23, the scheme’s revised cost now stands at Rs5.015 billion, up from the initial estimate of Rs4.425 billion.
Submitted by the Sindh Industries & Commerce Department, the revision includes the rehabilitation, improvement and upgrade of 49 roads, along with a new drainage system to manage sewage and storm water.
The progress was reviewed during the Project Steering Committee’s fourth meeting on September 9. The project’s revised scope had been endorsed in the third Central Development Working Party (CDWP) meeting on August 13, 2024, with further refinements made in subsequent deliberations.
Key decisions taken in the CDWP meeting include the revised cost’s approval and the directive to rationalise the work’s scope within the allocated budget.
The final revised scope will be submitted to the steering committee, chaired by the planning & development board chairman, before being forwarded to the Planning Commission for formal approval.
To ensure transparency and compliance, a project director (BPS-20) has been appointed. The administrative department has also been instructed to seek guidance from the Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority regarding procurement rules, while the industries & commerce department will oversee tendering.
In an additional oversight role, the Pakistan Safety Council has been tasked with monitoring the implementation, and ensuring adherence to safety and regulatory standards.
The execution and procurement phases are set to begin, with all stakeholders committed to adhering to the timelines. Multiple CDWP meetings have been scheduled to ensure the project remains on track.
The initiative is expected to significantly enhance the infrastructure in SITE, one of Karachi’s key industrial hubs, improving connectivity and supporting increased economic activity.
