Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari inaugurated the first section of the much-awaited Malir Expressway, marking a significant milestone in Sindh’s development.
This expressway, the largest public-private partnership (PPP) project in the province, has been named after PPP founder, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Qayyumabad Interchange, where Bilawal, accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, personally drove a vehicle along the newly constructed high-speed corridor.
Paying a toll tax of Rs100, he traversed the state-of-the-art three-lane dual carriageway equipped with modern, access-controlled infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, Bilawal highlighted the contributions of three generations of the Bhutto family in developing Karachi. He credited his grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, with initiating revolutionary infrastructure projects and emphasized that his mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, had prioritized Karachi’s development and peace during her tenure.
Bilawal acknowledged water scarcity as one of Karachi’s major challenges and urged the provincial government to address this issue. He stressed the importance of making development projects attractive to investors and called for the creation of green energy parks through public-private partnerships.
The PPP chairman reiterated his party’s commitment to avoiding politics of extremism and revenge, inviting all stakeholders to collaborate in advancing Karachi as Pakistan’s financial hub.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah admitted delays in the completion of the expressway, which had been part of a package approved by Benazir Bhutto three decades ago. Shah noted that despite Bilawal’s reluctance to have projects named after his family, the government decided to honor Zulfikar Ali Bhutto given the expressway’s importance.
The 40-kilometer expressway connects Korangi Creek Avenue (DHA) to the M-9 Motorway (Superhighway) near Kathore, significantly reducing travel time for commuters.
It includes interchanges providing seamless access to key residential and commercial areas. Additional features include a connecting flyover from Korangi, set for completion within two months, as well as ongoing construction at the Jam Sadiq Interchange and other points.
A toll plaza will regulate traffic flow, with charges set at Rs100 for cars and Rs200 for heavy vehicles. Security measures will include patrolling by traffic police, fire brigades, and Rescue 1122 ambulances, ensuring safety along the route.
