Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurates Malir Expressway

KARACHI: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday inaugurated Phase 1 of Malir Expressway, named the “Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Expressway”.

Before the inauguration, Bilawal Bhutto personally drove along the Shahrah-e-Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to inspect the road with CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah in accompany, the spokesperson to CM said.

In the first phase, the 9.1 km stretch, constructed under a public-private partnership, will be open to the public from Qayyumabad to Shah Faisal Interchange.

A toll plaza would manage the traffic flow, charging Rs100 for cars and jeeps, and Rs200 for heavy vehicles.

The 39 km Malir Expressway project, worth Rs 55 billion, will be fully operational by 2025, which will be an alternative to Shahrah-e-Faisal.

After fully operational, the expressway will begin at Korangi Creek Avenue and extend to the Malir River, connecting with the M-9 Moto­rway near Kathore.

Murad Ali Shah said the Sindh government provided Rs32 billion for the expressway, while, public-private partners, commercial banks, and Development financial institutions (DFI) have contributed Rs23 billion.

“This collaboration shows the potential of attracting private investment for public infrastructure,” CM said, as quoted in a press release issued by CM Sindh’s spokesperson.

“Malir Expressway will connect major industrial zones and reduce the burden on Karachi’s road network,” Shah said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the Sindh government constructed its project under the Public-Private Partnership, praising the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Shah started his speech by raising the slogan, “Jeey Bhutto.”

Former Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Senator Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, other provincial ministers, elected representatives, and other senior officials were also present on this occasion.