Karachi Division

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has inaugurated a new dual carriageway in Korangi, completing a major infrastructure project aimed at improving traffic flow, strengthening connectivity between Korangi and Malir, and enhancing access to key healthcare, industrial and residential areas.
The Rs 265.259 million project was officially opened by Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, who described the road as an important addition to the city's expanding transport network. The new corridor links Mehrunnisa Hospital with Nasir Jump and Creek Road, creating an alternative route that is expected to ease congestion on existing roads while reducing travel time for thousands of daily commuters.
Built to modern engineering standards, the dual carriageway stretches approximately 1.7 kilometres and has a width of 9.3 metres, allowing smoother traffic movement and greater road capacity. City officials said the project forms part of KMC’s broader strategy to modernise Karachi’s transport infrastructure and improve mobility across rapidly growing urban areas.
Beyond road construction, the project includes significant upgrades to public utilities designed to improve resilience during the monsoon season. KMC installed a 36-inch reinforced concrete stormwater drainage system to facilitate rainwater disposal, alongside an 18-inch reinforced concrete sewerage pipeline to strengthen the area's sanitation network and reduce the risk of urban flooding.
To improve pedestrian safety and accessibility, 1.5 metre wide footpaths have been developed on both sides of the carriageway, while 53 modern streetlights have been installed to enhance nighttime visibility and road safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Mayor Wahab said the new road would provide faster and more reliable access to SIUT Hospital, nearby industrial estates and surrounding residential neighbourhoods. He noted that the improved transport corridor is expected to support economic activity by facilitating the movement of workers, businesses and emergency services while contributing to the city's long term development plans.
Urban planning experts view such integrated infrastructure projects as increasingly important for Karachi, where rising population growth and expanding industrial activity continue to place pressure on the city's road network. By combining transport improvements with drainage and utility upgrades, the project is expected to deliver wider benefits beyond traffic management, including improved public safety, better municipal services and stronger resilience against seasonal rainfall.
The new dual carriageway is expected to become a key transport link for residents of Korangi and Malir, providing an efficient alternative route while supporting Karachi's ongoing efforts to modernise its urban infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its citizens.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Standard Chartered Pakistan has been named Pakistan’s Best Bank for Mortgages and Home Loans for 2026 by international financial publication Euromoney.
The recognition was announced under the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, which identify leading banks across different markets and financial service categories. Standard Chartered was selected as the winner of the mortgage and home loans category in Pakistan.
The bank said the award reflected the strength of its mortgage offering and its efforts to provide clients with a smooth and customer focused home financing experience. Its mortgage proposition combines financing solutions tailored to customer needs with digital convenience and support from application through to completion of financing.
Standard Chartered Pakistan also offers Saadiq Home Finance, a Shariah compliant housing finance facility. The product supports the purchase of a home, renovation or extension of an existing property, enhancement of an existing financing facility and the transfer of outstanding home financing from another bank.
According to the bank’s website, Saadiq Home Finance provides financing of up to 75 percent of a property’s value, with repayment periods of up to 25 years. Customers can choose between hybrid and floating pricing options. The facility is available in selected areas of Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Standard Chartered has operated in Pakistan since 1863 and describes itself as the country’s largest and oldest international bank. As of March 2026, the bank maintained 165 service touchpoints across ten cities, including 38 branches, 107 automated teller machines and 20 cash deposit machines.
The Euromoney recognition is expected to strengthen Standard Chartered’s corporate position in Pakistan’s home financing market and support confidence in its mortgage services.
Customers considering home finance should nevertheless review the applicable pricing, monthly repayment obligations, total financing cost and early settlement conditions before entering into an agreement.

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
The Sindh government has announced its support for the construction of 196 houses for families displaced by last year's devastating floods in the Tali Das and Badswat areas of Gilgit/Baltistan (GB), marking a significant step in inter provincial cooperation aimed at disaster recovery and sustainable development.
The commitment was made during a high level meeting in Karachi between senior officials of the Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan governments, where both sides agreed to broaden collaboration beyond post flood rehabilitation to include housing, public-private partnerships (PPPs), healthcare, education, revenue reforms, infrastructure development and investment promotion.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting GB in rebuilding flood-affected communities, saying Sindh was ready to share its institutional expertise and development experience. He stressed the importance of expanding private sector participation through the PPP model, developing Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and strengthening revenue institutions to accelerate economic growth.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain welcomed Sindh's support and highlighted GB's vast untapped potential in hydropower, tourism and natural resources. He said the region was actively seeking domestic and international investment through transparent public private partnerships and viewed collaboration with Sindh as an opportunity to strengthen institutional capacity.
During the meeting, officials from the Sindh Housing Authority, Sindh Public-Private Partnership Board, and Sindh Revenue Board delivered detailed presentations outlining successful governance models and institutional frameworks that could be adapted for Gilgit-Baltistan. Both governments agreed to work towards establishing similar organisations in GB to improve housing delivery, investment facilitation, and revenue administration.
The two sides also agreed to establish joint working groups to oversee implementation of the agreed initiatives and ensure coordination between relevant departments. A follow up meeting, jointly chaired by the chief ministers, is scheduled to take place within the next two weeks to review progress and finalise an implementation roadmap.
The agreement reflects growing inter-provincial cooperation on disaster resilience and regional development, with both governments aiming to create long-term institutional partnerships that strengthen public services, attract investment, and improve living standards in Gilgit)Baltistan.