Karachi: The federal government on Saturday (September 25) announced a USD 3.5 billion plan to rebuild Karachi’s coastline as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), news sources reported. The decision was announced by the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) on CPEC, held on September 23, in Islamabad and Beijing.
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According to Minister of Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Zaidi, the project would be completed entirely with direct Chinese investment, without the requirement for a loan. The proposal aims for overhauling the city with more berths for the port, a new fishing port, and a ‘majestic harbour bridge’ connecting the city to Manora islands and Sandspit beach. According to Zaidi, the Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone (KCCDZ) will cover 640 hectares or 1,581 acres on the Karachi Port Trust’s western backwaters marshes (KPT).
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Furthermore, the government also intends to construct low-cost housing for 20,000 people living in adjacent fisherman colonies and slums as part of the project. In addition, the project will contain a cutting-edge fishing port with a fisheries export and processing zone. Reportedly, Prime Minister Imran Khan has lauded the development and predicted that the inclusion of Karachi’s coastal development plan in CPEC will bring the city at part with developed global port cities.
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