Sindh Province

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The Qatari liquefied natural gas vessel Al Areesh has crossed the Strait of Hormuz and is heading towards Pakistan after a gap of nearly three weeks, raising hopes of an improvement in the country’s gas and electricity supply.
The QatarEnergy managed LNG carrier is sailing towards Port Qasim and is expected to arrive on July 31. It is reportedly the first QatarEnergy LNG vessel to exit the strategically important waterway since July 11.
The development is significant for Pakistan because imported LNG is used not only to meet domestic gas demand but also to supply fuel to power plants operating on Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas.
Uncertainty surrounding LNG deliveries and the possible need to purchase expensive cargoes from the spot market had increased pressure on electricity generation costs in recent weeks. Higher LNG costs can eventually be passed on to consumers through monthly fuel price adjustments.
The arrival of Al Areesh could provide some immediate relief by improving LNG availability and supporting fuel supplies to gas based power plants. It may also reduce the need for more expensive alternative fuels or urgent purchases from the international spot market.
However, the movement of a single LNG vessel should not be treated as a complete or permanent restoration of supply. Pakistan’s energy outlook will depend on the timely departure of future cargoes and the continued movement of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important routes for the transportation of oil and LNG. Any regional conflict or disruption to shipping can delay energy supplies and increase prices for countries such as Pakistan that depend heavily on imported fuels.
Energy sector observers consider the departure of Al Areesh a positive development for Pakistan. However, they say the government must continue working on alternative LNG arrangements, strategic fuel reserves and domestic sources of electricity generation to reduce the country’s exposure to disruptions along a single maritime route.

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has launched a PKR 14 billion citywide infrastructure programme to rehabilitate 139 roads across Karachi, marking one of the city's largest municipal road improvement initiatives in recent years. The programme aims to enhance road infrastructure, improve urban mobility and upgrade essential public services across all districts of the metropolitan city.
The initiative was announced by Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab during a review meeting held at the KMC headquarters, where officials discussed the implementation strategy and progress of the project. According to the mayor, the programme reflects KMC's long term commitment to improving Karachi's transport network and strengthening municipal infrastructure to better serve residents.
The rehabilitation programme includes the reconstruction and repair of major roads, drainage system upgrades, replacement of aging water supply pipelines and the installation of modern street lighting on key roads and corridors. Officials believe these improvements will help reduce traffic congestion, minimize waterlogging during the monsoon season and enhance public safety, particularly during nighttime.
The road rehabilitation plan covers all major districts of Karachi, including Landhi, Korangi, Saddar, Central and Keamari. Among the key roads included in the project are Kashmir Road, Nishtar Road, Johar Road, Siddiq Wahab Road and Hira Lal Road, along with several important industrial and commercial routes that support the city's economic activity.
As part of the infrastructure upgrade, KMC will also modernize street lighting on several major arteries, including M.A. Jinnah Road, Shahrah e Liaquat, Shahrah e Ibn Sina, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Abul Hassan Isphani Road, Shahrah e Attar, Fatima Jinnah Road and SUPARCO Road. The new lighting system is expected to improve visibility, road safety and overall urban aesthetics.
KMC Director General Technical Services Tariq Mughal informed the meeting that the tendering process for civil works covering road rehabilitation, drainage, water supply and electrical infrastructure has been completed in accordance with public procurement regulations. He said work orders for contractors are expected to be issued shortly, allowing construction activities to begin in the coming weeks.
Mayor Murtaza Wahab instructed all concerned departments to ensure transparency throughout the execution process, maintain high construction standards and complete the projects within the approved timelines. He emphasized that strict monitoring mechanisms would be implemented to ensure quality work and efficient utilization of public funds.
Municipal officials stated that the road rehabilitation programme forms part of KMC's broader urban development strategy aimed at improving municipal services, strengthening infrastructure resilience and supporting Karachi's growing transportation needs. Once completed, the initiative is expected to significantly improve connectivity, reduce travel disruptions and enhance the overall quality of life for residents across Pakistan's largest city.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan has offered Kazakhstan access to Karachi Port, Port Qasim and Gwadar Port while seeking joint ventures between companies of the two countries in shipping, logistics and coastal free zones.
The proposal aims to provide Kazakhstan and other landlocked Central Asian countries with maritime access to markets in the Persian Gulf, Africa and Southeast Asia through Pakistani ports.
The offer was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin. The two sides reviewed opportunities to expand bilateral trade, cargo transit and maritime transport cooperation.
The maritime minister said Pakistani ports could serve as major commercial and transit hubs for Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region. Access to these ports could provide Central Asian businesses with shorter and more efficient maritime routes to international markets.
The two sides also discussed possible joint ventures in coastal free zones to unlock the commercial potential of Pakistan’s ports. Investment opportunities could include warehouses, cargo terminals, cold storage facilities, container handling, shipping services and industrial infrastructure.
The government believes partnerships between Pakistani and foreign companies could improve port capacity and help position the country as a regional centre for logistics and transit trade.
Access for Kazakh cargo could create new business opportunities for port operators, shipping companies, transport businesses, freight forwarders and warehousing service providers in Pakistan.
If implemented, the proposal could increase cargo volumes, transit fee income and demand for supporting commercial services at Pakistani ports. It could also encourage industrial and logistics investment around Gwadar, Karachi Port and Port Qasim.
Pakistan and Kazakhstan agreed to strengthen engagement in ports, maritime transport, regional connectivity and trade facilitation. However, final details regarding the transit arrangement, investment commitments and proposed joint ventures have not yet been announced.