Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has instructed officials to seek international funding for procuring 500 electric buses for Karachi, aiming to modernise and expand the city’s struggling public transportation.
In a recent meeting with top officials, including Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon and Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Shah emphasised the need for a larger, sustainable public transport system to address Karachi’s growing population and congestion issues.
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The chief minister pointed out that while initiatives like the Peoples Bus Service and pink buses have improved services, Karachi’s transport infrastructure requires significant upgrades. Transport Minister Memon informed him that the department is working on a proposal to add 500 fully electric buses to the city’s transit system.
These new buses would enhance commuter convenience, reduce traffic, and cut air pollution, aligning with global environmental standards.
Shah highlighted that discussions with donor agencies are already in progress, with hopes to secure funding soon. Meanwhile, the provincial transport department is also exploring plans to introduce 300 diesel-hybrid and electric buses for intercity travel, with 60 buses allocated to Karachi and the remaining distributed across divisional headquarters like Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana.
This initiative is part of a larger push to offer residents more reliable, eco-friendly travel options across Sindh. The meeting also addressed Karachi’s West Recycled Water Project, which aims to provide treated industrial water for SITE Karachi to lessen freshwater dependence and improve environmental sustainability.