Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani has strongly refuted reports claiming that the first phase of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Expressway (Shahrah-e-Bhutto) remains incomplete. Speaking to the media at the Sindh Assembly on Monday, he clarified that all entry and exit routes to Qayyumabad and Korangi on the expressway were fully operational.
He addressed concerns raised on mainstream and social media, terming them baseless and misleading. Ghani explained that the only closed section was a passage still under construction to connect Quaidabad and the M-9 motorway.
The Local Government Minister highlighted the expressway’s significance as a major infrastructural development for Karachi, offering faster travel between Qayyumabad, Shah Faisal Colony, and the airport. He assured that the second phase, extending the expressway to Quaidabad, would be completed in two months, with the entire project reaching Khathore by December this year.
Inspecting the completed phase earlier in the day, Ghani verified that all exit and entry routes to Sharea Faisal, Shah Faisal Town, Qayyumabad, and Korangi were functional. He noted minor maintenance work, such as railing adjustments, but emphasized that no major construction was ongoing in the inaugurated section.
Ghani also stated that international-standard signage had been installed along the expressway, but additional user-friendly signboards would be introduced for easier navigation. He urged the public not to share misleading videos or information about the expressway.
The minister reminded motorists that the expressway is strictly for four-wheelers, with a speed limit of 100 km/h for small vehicles and 90 km/h for larger ones. He warned motorcyclists and rickshaw drivers to avoid using the expressway to prevent accidents and emphasized that restrictions on such vehicles would be strictly enforced.
He assured that 1122 ambulances, police mobile units, and private security personnel would be deployed on the expressway for assistance. He added that vehicles involved in construction work for the remaining phases would still be visible, given ongoing development.
Saeed Ghani appealed to motorists to maintain a positive outlook on the expressway, emphasizing its numerous benefits for the residents of Karachi.
