Karachi: The Board of Investment (BOI) and Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on Monday (May 2) reviewed the progress of the USD 3.2 billion Karachi Comprehensive Coastal Development Zone programme, news sources reported. The 1,581-acre western backwater marshland improvement project is part of the China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) Phase-II project.
According to sources, the department had a joint meeting to examine the project’s progress, including potential obstacles and solutions. The Chinese government was said to be investing directly in the multibillion-dollar initiative to boost the port’s berth capacity and freight processing. As per Project Concept 1 (PC-1), the project includes revamping the city’s seafront with new port berths, a new fishing port, and a “majestic harbour bridge” connecting it to Manora islands and Sandspit beach. Similarly, the project will feature the creation of three new artificial islands by land reclamation in the surrounding waterways. The project was started by the Joint Working Group (JWG) as part of the second phase of CPEC and is led by the BOI from Pakistan and the National Development and Reforms Commission from China.
The government began the project in 2021 to expand the shipping capacity of the Karachi port and promote sustainable development for smaller fishing towns. The government will develop houses for the colony as well as a fishing infrastructure as part of the effort to enhance livelihoods. Furthermore, in August of last year, Sindh’s Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah launched a PKR 250 million project for the Baba and Bhit Islands and Mubarak Village, a small fishing community on a small island. Under the project, the Sindh government has planned to build three floating jetties and passenger shelters before the end of the year.
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