Karachi: In a significant environmental initiative, the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI)
organized a high-profile ceremony to hand over 5,000 trees for plantation along Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
Expressway. The event was attended by Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Commissioner
Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi as chief guests, alongside key industrialists and city officials including The
President KATI Junaid Naqi, Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya, Senior Vice President Ijaz Sheikh, Vice
President Tariq Hussain, Former President Danish Khan, Salim-uz-Zaman, Sheikh Fazal-e-Jalil, Farrukh
Mazhar, Chairman GFS Builders Irfan Wahid, Deputy Commissioner Nusrat Bhutto, SSP Korangi Tariq
Nawaz, Administrator Korangi Naeem Sheikh.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab highlighted the city administration’s efforts to
allocate funds for industrial areas in the upcoming budget. “We are working on including dedicated
allocations for industrial development in this year’s budget, just as in the past,” he stated. He also
revealed that a letter has been sent to the Prime Minister seeking Rs. 7 billion for infrastructure
development along the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Expressway and announced that the second phase of the
expressway will be completed by April 30, while the third phase is set for completion by December
2025.
Wahab further shared updates on ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Jam Sadiq flyover,
which is expected to be completed by August 14, 2025, and the Korangi Crossing Bridge, slated to open
by August 30. He emphasized efforts to make the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Expressway signal-free to alleviate
traffic congestion. On the water front, he confirmed that Rs. 80 billion are being spent on water supply
projects, with federal support being sought to expedite the K-4 project.
Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi praised KATI’s offer to carry out plantation on both sides of
the expressway. “This step by KATI is commendable. It is not just about trees — it’s about setting a
direction for sustainable urban infrastructure across Karachi,” he said. Naqvi added that a detailed PC-1
has been prepared for the uplift of Korangi Industrial Zone, with practical work expected to commence
by June or July.
KATI President Junaid Naqi, in his remarks, thanked the mayor, commissioner, and Irfan Wahid,
Chairman of GFS Builders, for their presence and support. “This initiative is a milestone. With the help of
KMC, Sindh Forest Department, and other agencies, we will maintain these plantations under a public-
private partnership model,” he said. Naqi reiterated KATI’s commitment to green development and
described the project as a step toward sustainable progress in one of the world’s largest cities. “No
development is sustainable without a better environment,” he added.
He also appreciated the Sindh government's efforts in healthcare. “We must improve our education
system alongside infrastructure to truly uplift Karachi,” he remarked.
Deputy Patron-in-Chief of KATI, Zubair Chhaya, lauded PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for bridging
the gap between the Sindh government and the business community. “Seven joint committees have
been formed and are actively working to address city challenges,” he said. He commended the rapid
construction of the Jam Sadiq Bridge and emphasized the need to address Karachi’s sewage and
drainage issues. “The Water and Sewerage Board has failed in its responsibilities — a new, dedicated
authority must be formed,” he asserted.
Chhaya also pointed to rampant encroachments as a major cause of traffic problems. “Vendors and
hotel owners occupying footpaths must be removed. Without public cooperation, this issue cannot be
permanently solved,” he said.
Photo Caption: KATI President Junaid Naqi and Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya present a shield to
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab. Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi, Masood Bhutto, Irfan Wahid,
SSP Korangi Tariq Nawaz were also present.
