Karachi Division

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan’s construction sector is moving toward recovery, but sustaining the momentum will require timely structural reforms, improved financing facilities and greater private sector participation, business leaders have said.
They said effective reforms could turn the construction industry into a major driver of economic growth, employment generation and industrial activity, particularly because the sector has direct linkages with more than 40 allied industries.
Industry stakeholders welcomed the government’s proposal to establish a Construction Industry Development Board, or CIDB, as well as the possible creation of a specialised Construction Development Bank, or CDB. They said improvements in trade policies and the tax system could also play an important role in creating a more supportive environment for the construction industry.
The proposed reform framework also includes extending the defect liability period for public sector projects, a measure aimed at improving construction quality and strengthening accountability after project completion.
Recent economic indicators also point to an improvement in construction activity. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26, the construction sector grew by 5.7 percent during FY2025-26. The recovery is significant for an industry that has faced high costs and financial pressures in recent years.
Cement industry data also reflects stronger domestic construction activity. Total cement dispatches increased by 7.2 percent during FY2025-26 to 50.5 million tonnes, while domestic sales recorded even stronger growth.
The positive trend continued into the new fiscal year. Total cement dispatches reached 4.476 million tonnes in July 2026, while domestic cement sales posted a notable increase of 17.3 percent.
However, the export performance remained less encouraging. Cement exports declined by 30 percent to 705,341 tonnes, raising concerns over Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets.
People associated with the cement industry said the sharp fall in exports reflected the high cost of doing business and highlighted the need for measures to improve the global competitiveness of Pakistani cement manufacturers.
They stressed that the current recovery in the construction sector should not remain dependent on temporary incentives and should instead be supported through long term structural reforms. These should include improvements in financing, taxation, trade policy, regulation and construction standards.
With the federal Public Sector Development Programme for FY2026-27 set at around Rs1 trillion, they said public investment alone would not be enough to unlock the full potential of the construction sector.
According to industry stakeholders, greater private sector participation in housing, commercial development and infrastructure will be essential to sustain construction activity, create new employment opportunities and strengthen the wider network of industries linked to the sector.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has announced that construction work on major new motorway links connecting Sukkur, Hyderabad and Karachi will begin this year, marking a significant expansion of Sindh’s road infrastructure.
Speaking to reporters in Karachi, the minister said work on the long awaited Sukkur/Hyderabad motorway would commence from the Sukkur side in 2026. The government intends to complete the project within two years, providing a modern motorway connection between northern and southern Sindh.
The Sukkur/Hyderabad section is particularly important because it represents a major missing link in Pakistan’s north/south motorway network. Its development is expected to improve connectivity between Sindh and other parts of the country while facilitating passenger travel, freight movement and commercial activity along one of Pakistan’s most important transport corridors.
Abdul Aleem Khan also announced plans for a new motorway between Hyderabad and Karachi. He clarified that the proposed route would be a separate motorway and would not be connected with or treated as an extension of the existing M-9 Motorway linking the two cities.
The minister described the planned motorway development as a major infrastructure initiative for the people of Sindh as well as the rest of Pakistan. The projects are expected to strengthen road connectivity between Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur while improving access to the national motorway network.
The announcement came as the communications minister held discussions with representatives of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance regarding issues faced by the freight and logistics sector.
Alongside motorway development, the federal government plans to improve facilities available to goods transporters. Abdul Aleem Khan said suitable land would be arranged for truck stands, while properly equipped rest areas would also be developed to provide essential facilities to drivers and transport workers travelling on major highways.
Addressing complaints regarding traffic enforcement, the minister assured transporters that they would be protected against unjustified traffic challans. At the same time, he stressed that commercial vehicles must comply with officially prescribed axle-load limits.
He urged goods transport operators to avoid overloading, noting that adherence to axle load regulations is essential for road safety as well as protecting highways and motorways from premature deterioration caused by excessive vehicle weight.
The minister said the government was prepared to address all genuine concerns of the transport community but emphasised that commitments would only be made where they could realistically be implemented.
The proposed motorway projects, particularly the Sukkur/Hyderabad section and the separate Karachi/Hyderabad route, could significantly strengthen Sindh’s transport network by creating faster road connections for passengers and freight while improving links between Karachi and the country’s wider motorway system.

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has set September 30, 2026, as the deadline for completing development work on Tori Bangash Road, a major road infrastructure project estimated to cost around Rs 1 billion and aimed at improving connectivity across key western areas of the city.
The mayor issued the deadline while inspecting ongoing construction work on Tori Bangash Road, where officials from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s Engineering Department briefed him on the project's progress and remaining work.
The road is being developed as an important alternative connection between District West, Orangi, Keamari and Hub River Road. Once completed, the route is expected to provide improved access for residents and commuters travelling between these areas.
According to the mayor, the project will make daily travel easier for thousands of people living in surrounding localities and strengthen road connectivity in a part of Karachi where growing traffic volumes have increased pressure on the existing transport network.
In addition to the road construction, a new stormwater drain is being developed alongside the route as a major component of the project.
The drainage work is expected to be completed within the next few days, after which the remaining road construction will be accelerated to meet the September 30 deadline.
The stormwater drain is intended to improve the disposal of rainwater and reduce drainage problems along the road during periods of heavy rainfall. Integrating drainage infrastructure with the road project is expected to help protect the newly developed carriageway from water accumulation and related deterioration.
Wahab directed the relevant KMC departments and project teams to ensure that both the road and drainage components are completed within the stipulated timeframe so that the route can be made fully available to residents without further delay.
The approximately Rs 1 billion investment reflects the scale of development work being undertaken on the corridor, including the road itself and associated municipal infrastructure.
Once operational, Tori Bangash Road is expected to serve as an alternative route for traffic moving between Orangi and other parts of District West towards Keamari and Hub River Road, potentially distributing traffic more efficiently across the surrounding road network.
The project is also significant because Hub River Road serves as an important transport corridor connecting Karachi with areas towards Hub and Balochistan. Improved feeder and alternative routes leading towards the corridor could therefore benefit both local and through traffic.
The mayor said KMC is currently undertaking development projects across different parts of Karachi and intends to complete a number of ongoing schemes during the current year.
He added that the municipal administration is focusing on improving roads, drainage systems and other basic urban facilities as part of its broader infrastructure development programme.
With the September 30 deadline now set, the Engineering Department and other relevant agencies have been directed to expedite the remaining work on Tori Bangash Road, particularly the stormwater drain and unfinished road sections, to ensure the project is completed and opened for public use within the announced timeframe.