A high-level Asian Development Bank mission led by Deputy Country Director Hussain Haider met Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah in Karachi to discuss the proposed Sindh Sustainable Mobility Project and preparatory financing support for major transport initiatives in the province.
Officials said the meeting focused on developing sustainable, integrated and modern urban transport systems in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana, with the aim of improving public transport, reducing traffic congestion, promoting environment-friendly mobility and strengthening future transport planning.
Special focus was given to the Karachi Circular Railway. The Government of Sindh will share previous feasibility studies and technical documents with the ADB for further review. The ADB has assured Sindh of support for the project with $1 billion, including an initial $10 million for preparatory work such as design review, operational planning, institutional arrangements and financing models.
Chief Secretary Shah said the Government of Sindh is committed to building a modern, safe, efficient and sustainable public transport system across the province. He said the revival of the KCR is a priority project that can improve mobility in Karachi, reduce pressure on roads, provide affordable mass transit and support economic activity.
He appreciated the ADB’s continued cooperation and directed the departments concerned to ensure timely submission of PC-II documents, close coordination with the ADB and completion of preparatory work within the given timelines.
The meeting was attended by senior representatives of the Asian Development Bank, including Wonbae Seo, Transport Specialist Hamid Khan, Project Officer Infrastructure Umer Shafiq, and Consultant Sadiq. The chairman of the Planning & Development Board, Government of Sindh, the secretary transport and other senior officers of the provincial government also participated in the meeting.
