Improved transport and rail infrastructure crucial for boosting industrial productivity and exports,
President Ikram Rajput.
Karachi: Muhammad Ikram Rajput, President of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI),
has welcomed the recent statements made by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif during his
visit to Karachi, as well as those of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah regarding the city’s
development. He said the announcements related to Karachi’s infrastructure and transport system are
encouraging, but stressed that swift, transparent and sustained implementation is essential for
industrial growth.
Rajput said the Prime Minister’s assurance on the modern reconstruction of Karachi Cantt Station and
the inclusion of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) under the CPEC framework is a positive step. He also
appreciated the Sindh Chief Minister’s commitment to developing KCR in line with the region’s
economic needs.
He emphasized that Karachi is the economic engine of Pakistan, and improvements in its transport and
railway networks will directly enhance industrial productivity, exports, and overall logistics efficiency. A
modern, integrated and high-speed transport system, he noted, is critical to ensuring uninterrupted
movement of industrial raw materials and exportable goods.
President KATI added that if federal and provincial governments are truly committed to strengthening
Karachi’s industrial economy, then key corridors, including Shahrah-e-Bhutto, Malir Expressway, KCR,
and railway freight routes must be prioritized to ensure seamless logistics connectivity for industrial
zones, particularly the Korangi Industrial Area.
He said Karachi’s industries can significantly contribute to national economic growth if provided
improved infrastructure and rationalized taxation. Rajput pointed out that high industrial land costs,
transportation hurdles and weak logistics networks remain major barriers to investment and must be
addressed urgently.
He stressed that announcements alone are not sufficient timely, practical and ground-reality-based
decisions are needed to provide real relief to industry. He also urged the Prime Minister to make
frequent visits to Karachi to ensure faster completion of development projects and support the city’s
industrialization, which would boost exports, create new jobs and increase tax revenue.
Rajput added that Karachi’s industries are already grappling with high energy prices, financial pressures
and export challenges. In this environment, improvements in transport and infrastructure would help
reduce production costs and increase Pakistan’s global competitiveness.
He called on the federal government, Sindh government and relevant authorities to prioritize Karachi’s
industrial requirements, reiterating that KATI stands ready to extend all possible support for the city’s
economic progress.
