Focus on Karachi Circular Railway, Bullet Train, EV Buses, and Bus Manufacturing
Karachi — Sindh’s Senior Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, has called on international investors to explore lucrative opportunities in the province’s transport sector. During a meeting with a delegation of global investors in Karachi, Memon outlined a range of upcoming transport projects that are ripe for investment, including the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), Bullet Train, Bus Manufacturing Plant, Electric Vehicle (EV) Buses, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems.
The meeting, attended by key officials including Qasim Naveed Qamar (Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Public-Private Partnership), Asad Zamin (Secretary of Transport), and Kamal Hakim Dayo (Managing Director of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority), focused on expanding Sindh’s transport infrastructure and enhancing its public transport offerings.
Key Investment Opportunities
Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon extended an invitation to foreign investors to participate in the development of several high-profile transport projects:
- Karachi Circular Railway (KCR): A key initiative under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), KCR is a flagship project that aims to revitalize Karachi’s urban transport system.
- Bullet Train: Sharjeel Inam Memon emphasized the strategic importance of the Karachi-to-Sukkur High-Speed Train, which would dramatically improve travel times for millions of people, creating significant returns for investors.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Buses and Taxis: The Sindh government plans to introduce a sustainable EV taxi service and bus network, providing fresh employment opportunities and reducing carbon emissions. Investors are encouraged to establish charging depots for these vehicles.
- Bus Manufacturing Plant: The Senior Minister also highlighted the opportunity to set up a bus manufacturing plant in the Dhabeji Economic Zone, an area part of the broader CPEC framework. He assured that the Sindh government would offer full support in facilitating the establishment of such a plant, which could cater to both local and international demand.
Government Support and Vision for Sustainable Growth
Sharjeel Inam Memon reassured potential investors that the Sindh government would provide comprehensive support, including land allocation, infrastructure, and logistical assistance. He further emphasized that projects like the Bullet Train and sustainable EV infrastructure are vital for modernizing the region’s transport sector and creating a greener, more efficient system.
The government’s efforts, he said, would be instrumental in improving mobility, reducing congestion, and creating job opportunities for the local population. In particular, the Dhabeji Economic Zone, with its favorable business environment, offers a strategic location for investors to set up manufacturing and transportation facilities.
Strategic Location and Future Prospects
The delegation of international investors acknowledged Pakistan’s strategic position as a gateway to South Asia and Central Asia, offering access to a vast market and a large workforce. They expressed keen interest in collaborating on the various transport projects and noted the longstanding and strong friendship between Pakistan and China, which has already led to substantial investments in the country.
Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon concluded by reinforcing the importance of these transport initiatives, stating that they not only serve the public’s interest but also promise significant returns for investors who contribute to the modernization of Sindh’s transport infrastructure.
This collaboration highlights Sindh’s growing potential as a hub for sustainable, cutting-edge transport solutions and underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing mobility across the region.
