Work on the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit extension has officially resumed after a two month deadlock, marking a rare moment of political unity among the PPP, MQM-P and PML-N. The breakthrough came after all three parties agreed that Karachi’s progress must take precedence over political differences. The decision reflects a growing consensus that major transport infrastructure cannot be delayed at the cost of millions of commuters who rely on improved mobility.
The resumption ceremony was held on M. A. Jinnah Road where representatives of all three parties acknowledged that better coordination was essential to avoid delays in federally and provincially funded projects. In a notable gesture, a federal government representative admitted that work should never have started without consulting the Karachi administration, calling Mayor Murtaza Wahab’s concerns valid and necessary for smooth execution.
Mayor Wahab emphasised that objections raised by the KMC were intended to safeguard the city’s interests. He stressed that drainage and sewerage issues must be resolved before the extension progresses. He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for releasing funds and urged him to consider more development initiatives for the city. The mayor reminded citizens that initial phases of the Green Line also caused inconvenience, but the long term benefits made the effort worthwhile.
Senior MQM-P leader Aminul Haque reinforced the mayor’s concerns, revealing that KMC had earlier identified three critical guarantees. These included full road rehabilitation, proper stormwater drainage infrastructure and strict adherence to the project completion deadline. He stated that the prime minister had now directed PIDCL to fulfil all commitments and deliver the project by October 31, 2026 without delay.
The two month halt stemmed from KMC’s refusal to allow work due to PIDCL’s failure to obtain a no objection certificate and concerns over damage caused during the first phase. The KMC also questioned the federal government’s role in Karachi’s urban development and stressed that municipal authorities must have jurisdiction over such projects. With new agreements in place, these disputes have now been settled.
Barrister Raja Khaliq uz Zaman Ansari, spokesperson for the federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in Sindh, said that traffic, drainage and pedestrian issues had been addressed through mutual coordination. He added that there was now no space for political point scoring as both federal and provincial governments are committed to Karachi’s development. He said the renewed cooperation among KMC, the Sindh government and PIDCL will help fast track the project and improve the lives of Karachi’s residents.
